What NES games won't work on a Famicom with the converter?

C SauceC Sauce
in Gamer's Gauntlet
I've read that between 90-95% of NES games work on a Famicom if you have an adapter, but I haven't been able to find a list of the games that don't. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

Comments

  • BrianCBrianC
    I would like a list too, but I know of some:

    All MMC5 games (which includes Castlevania III, Laser Invasion, and some later Koei games)

    Gauntlet

    Fester's Quest

    After Burner



    Zapper games work, but won't work with a US Zapper in controller port 2 of an AV Famicom without modification. They will work with a JP Zapper or an adapter to use the US Zapper in the expansion port. The US Arkanoid doesn't work with JP Arkanoid controllers or the US controller in port 2 without modification. Unlike the JP version, it does play with a standard pad.



    Keep in mind that the compatibility issues are due to the adapter (at least the ones that don't already have the right pins connected), not the system itself and it's possible to modify the adapter for 100% compatibility.
  • GuntzGuntz
    A properly wired converter will work with all NES games. The NES and Famicom are the same console, the only significant difference is the NES has an oversized cartridge slot (and the security CIC).



    Now, some commonly available converters are not properly wired, therefore have compatibility issues. Most often, CIRAM and PPU /A13 are not connected. This makes games like Castlevania III (MMC5), Rad Racer II and Gauntlet (4-screen mirroring) incompatible.



    The Zapper depends on a fully wired 2nd controller port, unrelated to the cartridge slot. The Famicom Zapper uses the 15pin expansion port, because the original Famicom had hard-wired controllers.



    (basically just a more detailed version of the above comment)
  • C SauceC Sauce
    Do you know where I can buy the right converter?
  • arnpolyarnpoly
    I believe Cybernoid does not work due to some quirky programming. I haven't confirmed that though.
  • GuntzGuntz

    Originally posted by: C Sauce



    Do you know where I can buy the right converter?



    I have one on hand that is wired correctly out of the box (works with CVIII and Rad Racer II), only downside is the NES cartridge faces away from the front of the Famicom. PM me if interested.



    Technically speaking, it's the NES cartridge shell that's backwards in this case. To have the NES cartridge face the right way in an adapter, the NES pin connector has to be flipped around, makes wiring the adapter more of a pain.
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