Know something about
game-systems
(detailed information)
Here are some detailed infos about
game systems, country-versions and what should come with the board/game...
Capcom
CPS 1 System (JAMMA):
CPS 1 system comes with a CPS 1 motherboard
and on top if it sits the gameboard. Usually (99,9%) both are sold together. Ask
the seller to be sure.
Some CPS 1 games (not all) also feature a so called "Suicide Battery"
u can see on the picture on the left as a tiny black circle ontop of the 3rd
board. This is a nasty thing, as Capcom tried to protect their games with a
battery, that is needed to play the game, against emulation/bootleg attempts.
Bad side is when the battery is dead the board is also dead. Battery usually
lives for about 3-5 years. Be sure to have it renewed/changed in time. I cant do
it...
Capcom CPS 1.5
System (JAMMA):
Its basically CPS 1 hardware with the difference that it features a plastique housing
and 2 batteries :( One battery can be eliminated if u know how (I dont...dont ask). Second
battery needs to be changed like CPS 2. Rumors has it 2nd battery can be kicked with some
adjustments also.
Housing
features 3rd and 4th player pinouts. Q-Sound is featured 1st time, and can be switched to
Mono Sound in Config Menu.
Capcom CPS 2
System (JAMMA):
This system features a Motherboard (aka "A-Board") and a Gameboard (aka
"B-Board"), both pcbs covered in solid plastique housings. A-Board features an
airventilation system to prevent the game from overheating, as well as connectors for
4-6th button (Street Fighter) and/or 3rd and 4th player (Dungeons & Dragons).
Suicide Battery (Lithium) is located on the B-Board, but this time its easier to keep
it alive. See TechFAQs.
IMPORTANT: A- and B-Boards come in many different country-versions: Asia (grey), Europe/USA (blue), Japan (green), Spanish (orange) and Japanese rental (yellow). Rumour has
it there are even pink CPS 2 B-Boards for Signapore and New
Zealand...never seen one. Not all A-Boards are compatible with all B-Boards as shown
below.īBe sure to check the country versions before buying. Also ask the
seller if the price is for the complete system (A+B-Board) or the B-Board only!!!
All CPS 2 games feature Q-Sound, a special sound hardware developed by Capcom. All
games may be switched to Mono sound in Config menu. Good chances of getting a B-Board
alone. Same good chances to get a whole system. Boards should come with the Capcom
connector for 4-6th button/3rd and 4th player.
| A-Board
Color/Country |
B-Board
Color/Country |
Compatible |
| Blue,
Green |
Blue |
Yes |
| Blue,
Green |
Green |
Yes |
| Yellow |
Blue,
Green |
Yes |
| Blue,
Green, Yellow |
Grey |
No |
| Grey,
Orange |
Grey |
Yes |
| Grey,
Orange |
Blue,
Green |
No |
| Pink
? |
? |
? |
Capcom CPS 3 System (JAMMA):
Comes with many features (printed in light blue). 1st there is the game cartridge. A small cart sitting ontop
of the motherboard. Then there are special mask-roms. Nearly every CPS 3 game uses a different composition of mask-roms
(SIM, SND, CHR). So its wise to always buy a complete system or ask the seller
first. Fourth there is the CD-Drive and the CD which
house all the relevant game data like music, sounds and so on. Any date
will be uploaded to the mask-roms at first start, still u need to always
connect the CD-drive to be able to play. And last there is the datatransmission- and powersupply-cable that connects the CD-Drive with the mainboard. Also the connector cable typical
for CPS 2 and CPS 3 should be provided (used for 4-6th button...see CPS 2).
Carts come in different country versions.
Not all CPS 3 games come with CD-Drive, CD and cables mentioned above. So called
"No CD" versions.
No difference, just misses the CD-drive/CD. So if u want p&p to be
cheaper ask the seller... (for a pic go here).
Again CPS 3 system features a "Suicide Battery"...its located in
the game cartridge and its not easy to be renewed. Be sure u find
someone that can do it! And again CPS 3 features Q-Sound...
Should 2 games use the same composition of mask-roms and u change the cart/cd,
CPS 3 system reads relevant data form disc into the mask-roms when u
first switch on the game. Lasts about 20+ minutes (zzzzz).
Mostly a seller will give u a whole system.
IGS PolyGameMaster
(PGM) System (JAMMA):
Chinese
game system, featuring a mainboard and a cartridge and looks very much like the Neo Geo
MVS System. As no other country versions exist there are no compatibility problems.
Mainboard houses a battery for Highscores.
System should come with a connector
cable (and Cable-End to Jamma adapter) for 2nd cabinet. This way u can play with 4 players
on 2 machines using only one PGM System and only one cart. Without it only 2 player play
is possible on one machine.
Some known games: Knights of Valour,
Knights of Valour Super Heroes, Knights of Valour 2, Y2K, Oriental Legends, Martial
Artist, Dragon World 2+3, Dodonpachi 2. Expensive!
Jaleco Mega System
32 (JAMMA):
System features mainboard and a giant cartridge
that sits ontop of it. As there are only asian mainboards/carts there are no
country-version problems.
Battery is for highscores.
Kaneko Super Nova
System (JAMMA):
Not much to say
except system features a motherboard and a game cartridge. Good chances of getting a cart
alone without motherboard...
There are
Japan and Euro motherboards/carts. Seems the motherboard checks the
cart-version. So ull probably "just" need the right ROM (like
Segaīs STV). Physically the carts smoothly connect to each board.
Battery is for highscores.
Some games on this board are:
Cyvern, Sengeki Striker, Puzz Loop, Gals Panic S, Gals
Panic S2, Gals Panic 4, Panic Street, Sen-Know...
Konami
Baby Phoenix-System (JAMMA):
As far as I know only
few games were produced
with this CD-drive hardware: Hyperathlete (aka on PSX as International Track&Field),
Simpsons Bowling and Dead Eye for example.
It features a solid metal housing with a CD-drive enclosed. Very resistant!
Also features connectors for 3rd and 4th player.
Konami GX-System
(JAMMA):
As far as I know there are at least 2
different GX-boards out there (eg Fantastic Journey features a different looking GX
mainboard as Salamander 2).
I would advise u to buy the complete set. It shouldnt be a problem, or ask the
seller. 99,99% are sold as complete set.
Konami
Hornet System (JAMMA):
OH
YEAH BABY!!!! Features Normal
and Medium Resolition, Stereo Sound, a LED display for error messages,
pinouts for PC-readouts and should come with an original JAMMA-connector
(when u buy the game w/ casing).
Silent
Scope needs a second (Normal Res) board for gunsight-screen. GREAT
system, but sadly not much support from Konami...
Konami
573 System (JAMMA):
Hohoho...now
THATS what i call a designer-casing. Features a CD-drive.
Linkable to up to 9 units. No real software hitters though :(
Mostly fishing games and typical japanese fun-games.
Midway/Williams
(JAMMA):
Comes with main (big) and soundboard (small).
Also a volume adjuster connected to the sound board should be provided.
Bards are not interchangable, as the main and soundboard each houses game-specific roms.
Games: Mortal Kombat 1+2, Strikeforce, Smash TV, Total Carnage,...
Battery is for highscores.
Namco System 11 and
12 (JAMMA):
Mainboard and Gameboard. Always sold
together. Dont try to change the boards, as contacts are quite weak and its a lot of work
with all the distance holders to remove and insert.
System 12 (upper left) is the newer
version, featuring games like Ehrgeiz, Tekken 3, or Soulcaliber. 11 (lower left) features
games like Souledge, Xevious 3D/G or Tekken 1 and 2.
On both boards feature a 24 pin
connector beneath the jamma connector for 3rd and 4th button and additional sound options.
U wont need the sound option as u can switch the board to mono sound, but u will
eventually want to kick ur enemy from time to time so make sure the plug connector is
delivered with the board. If not simply solder some wires from the 24 pin connector to the
3rd and 4th button pin on jamma connector. Manual provides all pinout settings.
Hyper
Neo Geo 64 (JAMMA):
Cartridge based
system. Mostly weak games. As far as i know only asian versions
around. Exclusive lookin
System after all.
Battery is for
Highscores.
Neo Geo MVS System (Old
Version/JAMMA):
Slightly
bigger than New Version (see below), but by featuring stereo sound, additional joyboard
connectors and headphones volume setting this one wins my heart technically.
All country-versions are compatible. No special chip or reconstructions needed :)
If u start collecting the carts
should come with flyers and manual as well as a original brown cartboard-box which houses
the game cart in a plastic-sleeve.
Neo Geo MVS System (New
Version/JAMMA)):
Smaller than
Old Version and less features (which are not needed anyway). Rest is the same.
Neo Geo MVS systems come in single
or multislot versions (housing 1-6 carts). Be sure u have a 300W power supply for multi
slot systems (eg. 4-slot see above).
Saibu Kaihatsu SPI
System (JAMMA):
Motherboard and
Cartridge. Motherboard comes in Version 2.0 or 2.1 and in different country versions,
which are not compatible. Versions of motherboards are. Battery is for highscores.
Known games are: BattleBalls/SenkYu,
Raiden Fighters, Raiden Fighters 2, Raiden Fighters Jet, Viper Phase 1 (Old Version),
Viper Phase 1 (New Version).
Sammy
Atomiswave Sytem (JAMMA):
This is a joint
venture between SAMMY and Sega to produce their own hardware, it is
basically a dreamcast on a Jamma PCB.
It is possible to connect the systems on the network using both 56K modem
or broadband connection, the software can be exchanged easily by swapping
the ROMs, and it supports various types of input such as joystick, light
gun, and track ball via a common interface (from segamuseum page).
Very bright screen settings, so u have to adjust ur monitor.
Sega
Megatech Sytem (non JAMMA):
This system uses
Genesis/Master Sytem Carts with special BIOS that makes it impossible
using original Genesis/Master System Carts. Thus Mega Tech carts wont work
with the Genesis/Master System Console either.
U need a special monitor to be able to play it, so if u want to play
Genesis/MS games on ur JAMMA arcade machine buy a Mega Play system!
Insert a credit and u will buy play-time. Your game will be over if the
gamecounter reaches zero.
A small screen above the actual gamescreen informs u what carts are
plugged into the system board (up to eight) and how much time u have left.
Grafically the games are identical to their Gen/MS counterparts.
Games avaliable (not complete): Afterburner, Aleste, Alien Syndrome,
Altered Beast, California Games, Crackdown (with the important feature
that NO datasette is needed, like the original pcb!!!), Fantasy Zone 1+2,
Ghouls n Ghosts, Golden Axe, Outrun, Shinobi 1+2, Space Harrier 2, Sonic,
Thunderforce 2, Wrestel War and others.
Sega Mega Play
System (JAMMA):
Fully
JAMMA compatible this time, the system again provides Genesis/Master
System carts with a special BIOS that prohibits Genesis/MS original carts
to be played on the system. Also the MP carts wont work on Gen/MS console.
With ur credit u now buy...erm...credits/continues, like on any other
game.
No special monitor is needed. Up to 4 carts may be plugged into the
system.
Grafically the games equal the Gen/MS games again.
Games avaliable (not complete) are goodies like: Gunstar Heroes, Shinobi
3, Mazin Wars, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe 2, Sonic, Sonic 2, Bio Hazard
Battle,...in short...some of the best games on Genesis.
Sega Model 2 (non JAMMA):
Model 2 features 5 different
"parts" (printed in light blue):
Model 2 mainboard/housing comes in 3 different versions: A-CRX,
B-CRX and...guess...C-CRX yes. B-CRX and C-CRX are basically the same,
differing only in chips used. A-CRX not only features the oldest hardware
of the threee but also has a slightly different pinout setting.
ITS NOT A JAMMA PINOUT SYSTEM, but if u know the pinout settings u easily
can build urself an adapter (see TechFAQs section).
Ontop of the CRX mainboard sits the actual gameboard
with all the mask roms. Gameboards are always the same. In fact u would
only need to buy the new mask roms and chip settings for a game if u have
one gameboard at home. If thats the easiest way is questionable, but its a
bit cheaper.
Some games (not all) like Zero Gunner or Last Bronx need a special "Security PCB", a small pcb sitting ontop of the mainboard.
Sellers often forget this IMPORTANT little thing. Without it game wont show
u more than the intro screen.
Main- and Gameboard is surrounded by a heavy(!!!) gigantic aluminium housing containing
a ventilation system and the actual pinouts. If u have one u can use it like
MVS mainboard for all other CRX boards. Housings for B- and C-CRX
mainboards are interchangeable.
Battery is for highscores.
Sega Model 3 (non
JAMMA):
Like
Model 2 Model 3 features many versions (Step 1, Step 1.5, Step 2 and Step 2.1). While all
provide the same pinouts, hardware was always slightly changed.
Its also NOT A JAMMA SYSTEM. Making
an adapter is even harder as Model 3 needs an additional 3,3V power supply. Also it
features Medium Resolution - 24KHz 496(H)x384(V) - so its best to get an original cab.
Cheapest will be Virtua Fighter 3.
System again features the components
I mentioned in "Model 2" (see above), but without the "Security PCB".
U can convert Model 3 to Model 2
easily. It uses nearly(!!!) the same pinouts (see TechFAQs).
Battery is for highscores.
Sega Naomi System
(non JAMMA):
1) Naomi features a base system
and cartridge roms (see picture 2).
2) Countryversions exist. Japanes mainsystem wont play US carts. U will need special ICīs to be able to play different countryversion-carts. Cost
about 20-25US$.
3) Naomi games can be played on either normal resolution (15kHz) or high
resolution (31 khz). Theres no option for medium resolution (25 kHz). Manual
says the game-manuals will tell u if a game supports normal res or high res
only. So far i have encountered not a single game with only 1 resolution
option. All had both.
4) GD-ROM drive: If u plan on buying a GD-Rom drive make sure the IC mounted
below the game-rom slot on Naomi itself reads version "E" or
"F". A "D" version exists and its NOT compatible with
GD-Rom.
Also make sure u get the DIMM-board (pic 3) along with the GD-Rom. The DIMM is placed onto the NAOMI instead of a games cartridge. Pic 3 shows
an opened
DIMM board,
5) Naomi 2 games cannot be played on Naomi 1. Same counts for GD-2 games. On
the other hand Naomi 2/GD 2 is downwards compatible, meaning Naomi 1/GD 1
games can be played on Naomi 2/GD 2 machines.
6) If u want to use the Naomi for a normal JAMMA cab be sure u get the
original "SEGA Jamma i/o board" along with the Naomi. Simply plug it in and there u go.
Make sure the sound board comes along with the JAMMA board if u have a
mono-cab.
7) Naomi needs a 3,3V Powersupply, like every normal PC power supply
features.
8) Some games like e.g. Outtrigger need special control panels, some can be
adjustet to accept digital (normal) 0sticks in game menu like Zombie
Revenge (uses analogue or digital sticks).
9) Things that should come with ur Naomi (GD-Rom): Naomi main system, 3,3V
supply + wiring (mighty important!!!), JAMMA board (if needed), USB-cable, VGA-connector, GD-ROM drive, DIMM-board, DIMM-board to GD-drive connector
calbe, sound-cables, any game-rom-carts/GD-disks, a new battery-pack for the DIMM-board (it is for system-data-save only....dont panic).
10) Things that should come with a GD-game: Package (plastic), GD-disc,
Security Chip (every GD-game uses a different security chip!!! so make sure
u get it).
If u need
additional detailed tech information goto http://www.system16.com
Sega STV System
(JAMMA):
Cartridge and Mainboard. Motherboard and
Carts come in Japanese and/or USA versions. Not compatible. U can buy a special chip,
which is inserted instead of another (the long one left of the yellow sticker, see pic) to
make ur board accept both cart versions.
Battery is for highscores only.
Multicart versions exist. Be sure to
have a 300+W power supply for it.
Sony ZN-1 and ZN-2
Mainboards (JAMMA):
Not really
sold seperatly Sony ZN boards feature mostly Taito and Capcom gameboards. Also Tecmo has developed some games for it. ZN-2 is the newer board running games like Tech Romancer or
Street Fighter Ex 2 (Plus).
As far as I know from Strider 2, gameboards are not interchangeable.
Capcom games do not house a battery,
so no danger of "suicide", weeeeee, and still feature the well known connector for
4-6th button/3rd and 4th player. So be sure its delivered with the board.
Taito F3 System
(JAMMA):
Systems is made of motherboard and cartridge.
Motherboards and Carts come in Japanese and/or USA version. U cant play USA carts on Jap
motherboards and vice versa, except u do some reconstructions.
Mainboard houses a small ventilation system...
DONT TURN the little switch on the
motherboard which looks like a volume adjust! ITS NOT!
Taito G-Net
(JAMMA):
System using
Game-PCMCIA cards. Those PCM cards are changeable like a cartridge. No
country-versions as far as i know. Beware: After u switch games the Flash-ROM is
updated (much like the CPS3, but faster). Never turn off power during that
process or risk ruining ur flash-ROM.
Thanx John McRae,
system16.com and
SegaMuseum 4 some infos, pix and general help...