Tips on telling if a cart has a famicom converter inside?

videogamefreakvideogamefreak
in Collector's Corner
I was just wondering, with garage sale season here, If anyone had some tips on how to tell if a game has a famicom converter in it or not. I know they are in 5 screw nintendo games and I've heard you can tell from their weight and from the pins, but thats about it. If anyone has any tips I'd appriciate it.

Comments

  • zizi
    black box game

    5 screws on back



    _

    | |____ pins



    not

    _

    __| |__ pins



    http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/23



  • Koopa64Koopa64
    http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/23
  • videogamefreakvideogamefreak
    Thanks for the link, Ill be sure to check my local game stores next time I visit them
  • ulasamosaulasamosa
    whats the appeal of the famicom adaptor? Are they valuable? is there a market for just the adaptor? Just curious. My Gyromite has one in it, but its gonna stay there. just curious for future reference as well.
  • Kid DraculaKid Dracula
    ^ If you have any interest in playing famicom games on your NES then this works well. You wouldn't have to track down a Honey Bee or 'TV Game Cartridge' adaptor.
  • LincolnLincoln
    Originally posted by: zi

    black box game

    5 screws on back



    _

    | |____ pins



    not

    _

    __| |__ pins



    http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/23





    i think the formatting is throwing off your diagram. converters have the point on the pin off-center, as seen in this pic from that page:


    (just a note- later games also had boards with the point off-center, but are not converters)

    where as boards with the point in the center are not converters:

  • Jono1874Jono1874
    Games with the converter inside will weigh noticeably more than than your average NES cart. I just found one today and I wasn't even actively seeking it. you'll know once you're holding it.
  • zizi
    forget the weight, unless u carry a scale around.



    and u can still get the point even if the top formatting is off.



    the pin pattern that makes L's is the right one, not the one giving you the finger.
  • KidOrrorinKidOrrorin
    Originally posted by: zi

    forget the weight, unless u carry a scale around.


    Haha that's meeee! I got so sick of buying duds that met the already mentioned physical criteria so I bought a $3 pocket-sized digital scale at my local gas station/head shop. For me, searching for these things became way too time consuming with just my senses. In the cartridge, these can fetch something between $20-$32 or so on ebay, depending which dealer you're looking at. Pretty good deal considering you'll probably pay $5 at most for it.

    Anyway, if you plan on searching through tons of BB games for the converter, make sure they have five screws (which also means they won't have clasps on the top of the game), and that they are black box games. Shell out the few bucks for a scale and save yourself some time.

    I've only been lucky with Gyromite but I always check other BB games. The converter typically weighs around 21.5 grams but that may vary.



  • dr.robbiedr.robbie
    just so you guys know, the offset pins doesn't always mean it has a converter. I've found two games this winter that met all the clues and didn't have converters in them image. most of them that meet the requirements do though. and the weight thing is fairly noticable. i use that as my final check usually.
  • HerbalistHerbalist
    Become an NES Jedi and you will be able to tell just by picking the game up like Jono said. You should be able to tell the difference when one of the carts weights nearly a pound more.
  • pats1717pats1717
    Weight I can tell easily by weight. If you have been doing this for a long time you can tell.
  • LincolnLincoln
    Originally posted by: dr.robbie

    just so you guys know, the offset pins doesn't always mean it has a converter. I've found two games this winter that met all the clues and didn't have converters in them image. most of them that meet the requirements do though. and the weight thing is fairly noticable. i use that as my final check usually.


    which games were they? can you share some pictures of the pcb's?

    @others re 5 screw, i'm pretty sure someone reputable on these boards has mentioned finding a converter inside a mike tyson's punch out, which was not mentioned as being 5 screw, and i think that would have been worth mentioning if it was the case.
  • dangevindangevin
    ^ The info is from NGD's old list, and he personally verified that he had one. I'm not sure he remembers who he handed it off to, it was at least four years ago.



    The Rev-A cases do accommodate these converters so it's certainly possible.
  • BenihanaBenihana
    Pictures would help a lot...Since I don't know if I have ever held one, I am not sure what the weight should be...
  • RolokingRoloking
    While going through a stack of trade-ins the other day I found a Hogans Alley with a converter in it. The weight is what usually tips me off and if its 5-screw than I pop it open and take a look.
  • zizi
    Originally posted by: Herbalist

    Become an NES Jedi and you will be able to tell just by picking the game up like Jono said. 


    "These aren't the games you're looking for."
  • choppyfieldchoppyfield
    Like everyone else says, I go by the weight as well. If you pick up a cart with the adapter inside and a regular one you should be able to tell. If you can't tell just carry a precision flat-head with you and open it up when they're not looking.
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