GBA SP Won't Load Certain GBC Games
Hello--
I've searched Google and the NA forums, but I can't find anyone with my specific problem. My GBA SP works perfectly with all of my original Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, and the black GB/GBC hybrid carts. For some reason, though, it will not boot most Gameboy Color carts. When I put one in, the system shows the GBA splash screen and nothing else. It doesn't even recognize the cart. There are a few that load perfectly fine every time (Warriors of Might and Magic, for one), but for the most part, it seems to have a grudge against GBC games. I've cleaned every one of them thoroughly, and inspected the pins/traces/boards for any damage, and they all look fine. They also boot just fine on my actual GBC system. Any help would be appreciated!
I've searched Google and the NA forums, but I can't find anyone with my specific problem. My GBA SP works perfectly with all of my original Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, and the black GB/GBC hybrid carts. For some reason, though, it will not boot most Gameboy Color carts. When I put one in, the system shows the GBA splash screen and nothing else. It doesn't even recognize the cart. There are a few that load perfectly fine every time (Warriors of Might and Magic, for one), but for the most part, it seems to have a grudge against GBC games. I've cleaned every one of them thoroughly, and inspected the pins/traces/boards for any damage, and they all look fine. They also boot just fine on my actual GBC system. Any help would be appreciated!
Comments
Older carts push the switch and the GBC BIOS boots. GBA carts have a notch and do not push the switch, so the GBA BIOS boots. You can use a toothpick to hold the switch down with no game cart inserted, then power-on the GBA. You should see a GBC logo instead.
I believe Game Boy Micro and Nintendo DS have a rigid peg on each side, so you can't physically fit any Game Boy monochrome or Game Boy Color game cart.
A mechanical switch inside the cartridge slot is supposed to switch voltages between GBA mode and everything-else mode. If the shape of GBC-only carts doesn't interact with the switch as it should, I think the switch must be a bit misaligned.
Older carts push the switch and the GBC BIOS boots. GBA carts have a notch and do not push the switch, so the GBA BIOS boots. You can use a toothpick to hold the switch down with no game cart inserted, then power-on the GBA. You should see a GBC logo instead.
I believe Game Boy Micro and Nintendo DS have a rigid peg on each side, so you can't physically fit any Game Boy monochrome or Game Boy Color game cart.
You were exactly right: the switch wasn't moving properly. I cleaned it up with some alcohol and a q-tip and worked the switch back and forth, and now it's fine. My copy of Crystalis still wasn't working properly, though, but I discovered that was because there was a small piece of the cartridge casing broken off right where it should be engaging the switch. Power Spike Pro Beach Volleyball was sacrificed to rectify that issue lol.
Thanks for your help, Ichinisan!
A mechanical switch inside the cartridge slot is supposed to switch voltages between GBA mode and everything-else mode. If the shape of GBC-only carts doesn't interact with the switch as it should, I think the switch must be a bit misaligned.
Older carts push the switch and the GBC BIOS boots. GBA carts have a notch and do not push the switch, so the GBA BIOS boots. You can use a toothpick to hold the switch down with no game cart inserted, then power-on the GBA. You should see a GBC logo instead.
I believe Game Boy Micro and Nintendo DS have a rigid peg on each side, so you can't physically fit any Game Boy monochrome or Game Boy Color game cart.
You were exactly right: the switch wasn't moving properly. I cleaned it up with some alcohol and a q-tip and worked the switch back and forth, and now it's fine. My copy of Crystalis still wasn't working properly, though, but I discovered that was because there was a small piece of the cartridge casing broken off right where it should be engaging the switch. Power Spike Pro Beach Volleyball was sacrificed to rectify that issue lol.
Thanks for your help, Ichinisan!
Cool
I bought Link's Awakening for $2 from a game dealer at the flea market. Someone had modified the cart and broken some plastic off from each side, then put back together with a Phillips screw that was slightly too long and poking through the front label. My guess is they were trying to make it fit into a GB micro or DS.