Need help with Chiller
Recently acquired a copy of the AGCI game Chiller. This is my first experience with a game from this unlicensed publisher and not sure if there's something wrong with the game, or if I am unaware of some things about it.
First, when I try to load the game into an NES front loader and push it down, it will not stay down. However the game does run if I hold the cart down in the NES. I ran the game in my top loader because of this, but the problems I'm having with the gameplay are the same on both NES models.
The main problem I'm seeing is when I hit start on the title screen, the next screen where you choose how many players and how many light guns to use isn't working correctly. There is no cursor next to the selectable options, and making the selections does not seem to always work, and random selections get made. Then, the main issue is when I start the actual gameplay there is no crosshair on screen. I played around with the controller for a few and did seem to make some shots and score points, so it just seems like its working but there's no crosshair reticle.
Any one ever have this problem with Chiller? Is the game broken? I cleaned the pins thoroughly and the game starts up no problem. Just having this issue with the crosshair not showing up.
First, when I try to load the game into an NES front loader and push it down, it will not stay down. However the game does run if I hold the cart down in the NES. I ran the game in my top loader because of this, but the problems I'm having with the gameplay are the same on both NES models.
The main problem I'm seeing is when I hit start on the title screen, the next screen where you choose how many players and how many light guns to use isn't working correctly. There is no cursor next to the selectable options, and making the selections does not seem to always work, and random selections get made. Then, the main issue is when I start the actual gameplay there is no crosshair on screen. I played around with the controller for a few and did seem to make some shots and score points, so it just seems like its working but there's no crosshair reticle.
Any one ever have this problem with Chiller? Is the game broken? I cleaned the pins thoroughly and the game starts up no problem. Just having this issue with the crosshair not showing up.
Comments
Starting to think there's something wrong with the game. Searched Google to see if anyone else had the issue and found nothing even remotely similar.
I also don't remember Chiller having a crosshair, but I do remember it having much worse hit detection than something like Duck Hunt (possibly due to the tons of hitboxes and how small they are).
Thanks for the help though. I'll try pressing up several times and report back. Could have sworn i tried that already though when i was mashing all buttons trying to get something to work.
I suppose i could just play with the light gun, but I'd still really like to figure out why i can't get the crosshairs up for play with a gamepad.
Originally posted by: Meteor_of_War
and making the selections does not seem to always work, and random selections get made.
Hold up or down to make the cursor move. Select changes the option. Start starts the game.
If you want to send me the game I could take a look at it for you and shpuld be able to dump the ROMs to see if there is any corruption.
Did you select None for # of light guns used?
Yes, it was tough to select between # of controllers and # of light guns, due to no onscreen cursor but playing with the buttons eventually gets it set to 1 controller and none for light guns. Still can't get a crosshair.
and making the selections does not seem to always work, and random selections get made.
Hold up or down to make the cursor move. Select changes the option. Start starts the game.
But the issue that makes it tough is there is no cursor onscreen. So I can't see which menu option is selected.
Can you post pics of the board, it is possibe that a line is broke on the CHR section or the IRQ line is broken.
If you want to send me the game I could take a look at it for you and shpuld be able to dump the ROMs to see if there is any corruption.
I appreciate the offer. I was going to try opening the game but it seems its like the Tengen carts where the back label covers one of the screws. I don't want to damage the label to get to the screw.
I always thought that Chiller was one of those strange instances where you would think a light gun would be mandatory but they aren't supported. My mind could also be playing tricks on me
I played for a good while with the light gun last night and it worked pretty well! It was actually pretty fun in a twisted kind of way.
When using the light gun the game works pretty solid, its just that initial menu with no cursors but that really doesn't matter since you shoot the screen to make your selections.
interesting...im sure you'll get to the bottom of your issue though...hopefully sooner than later!
Thanks, I might do somemore testing tonight. Hopefully come up with some new info to share.
Also, wish I knew why the game wont stay down in my front loader. I can see physically why, because the cart does not have the indent on the back for the tab where you grab it and there's that post piece inside the console that gets in the way when you try to push it down. But I read of other people playing it in their front loaders without complaining about this. Weird.
Tested Chiller out with an emulator, I selected one player and none for zappers. The cross hair spawned off screen so I had to hold up on the DPad for it to come on screen.
Thanks MrPete for taking the time to test that. I did try that suggestion out last night, of holding up on the D-pad but I could not get the crosshairs to show.
When you are at the game setup screen where you select how many players and which controllers to use, are you seeing the crosshair as a selection cursor next to the options? I don't see it there either but I know it should be there.
Yes it is to the left of the number of players option
OK, thanks for confirming that. I do not get the crosshair cursor to the left of the options. This is useful to know because now I'm 99% sure there is something wrong with my game.
It is completely incapable of displaying those crosshairs.
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
As for cleaning, when I got the game it already looked clean but after seeing the problem I cleaned it anyways. The pins were like new, hardly any dirt came off onto the q-tips. The game starts up and plays fine, just this one issue with the no crosshairs, and I tried it in two different Nintendos. Very odd.
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
Yeah, I've heard the same. At least it's not totally dead. Lots of those issues over the years.
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
As for cleaning, when I got the game it already looked clean but after seeing the problem I cleaned it anyways. The pins were like new, hardly any dirt came off onto the q-tips. The game starts up and plays fine, just this one issue with the no crosshairs, and I tried it in two different Nintendos. Very odd.
hmm. could you post a picture of what its doing? and if you want i can look at the game and check and redo all the traces on the board. ti could be a trace that need solder to repair
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
As for cleaning, when I got the game it already looked clean but after seeing the problem I cleaned it anyways. The pins were like new, hardly any dirt came off onto the q-tips. The game starts up and plays fine, just this one issue with the no crosshairs, and I tried it in two different Nintendos. Very odd.
hmm. could you post a picture of what its doing? and if you want i can look at the game and check all the traces on the board. i could be a trace that need solder to repair
I can definitely post up pictures later tonight when I get home. But I don't know about opening it. Seems these game carts are like the Tengen unlicensed carts where one of the three screws is underneath the back label. I'd have to damage the label to get to the screw and I don't want to do that.
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
As for cleaning, when I got the game it already looked clean but after seeing the problem I cleaned it anyways. The pins were like new, hardly any dirt came off onto the q-tips. The game starts up and plays fine, just this one issue with the no crosshairs, and I tried it in two different Nintendos. Very odd.
hmm. could you post a picture of what its doing? and if you want i can look at the game and check all the traces on the board. i could be a trace that need solder to repair
I can definitely post up pictures later tonight when I get home. But I don't know about opening it. Seems these game carts are like the Tengen unlicensed carts where one of the three screws is underneath the back label. I'd have to damage the label to get to the screw and I don't want to do that.
ah. well thre is a way to get the game out. ive done it with wally bear and the no gang. take the first 2 screw out and then you have to bend the plastic and let the board fall out. anyways my offer still sands if you want it checked and possibly fixed. and ok.
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
As for cleaning, when I got the game it already looked clean but after seeing the problem I cleaned it anyways. The pins were like new, hardly any dirt came off onto the q-tips. The game starts up and plays fine, just this one issue with the no crosshairs, and I tried it in two different Nintendos. Very odd.
hmm. could you post a picture of what its doing? and if you want i can look at the game and check all the traces on the board. i could be a trace that need solder to repair
I can definitely post up pictures later tonight when I get home. But I don't know about opening it. Seems these game carts are like the Tengen unlicensed carts where one of the three screws is underneath the back label. I'd have to damage the label to get to the screw and I don't want to do that.
ah. well thre is a way to get the game out. ive done it with wally bear and the no gang. take the first 2 screw out and then you have to bend the plastic and let the board fall out. anyways my offer still sands if you want it checked and possibly fixed. and ok.
I really appreciate the offer to look at it for me, seriously thank you.
I'll give it a shot and try to see if I can get the board out tonight. Hopefully I don't crack the plastic!
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
As for cleaning, when I got the game it already looked clean but after seeing the problem I cleaned it anyways. The pins were like new, hardly any dirt came off onto the q-tips. The game starts up and plays fine, just this one issue with the no crosshairs, and I tried it in two different Nintendos. Very odd.
hmm. could you post a picture of what its doing? and if you want i can look at the game and check all the traces on the board. i could be a trace that need solder to repair
I can definitely post up pictures later tonight when I get home. But I don't know about opening it. Seems these game carts are like the Tengen unlicensed carts where one of the three screws is underneath the back label. I'd have to damage the label to get to the screw and I don't want to do that.
ah. well thre is a way to get the game out. ive done it with wally bear and the no gang. take the first 2 screw out and then you have to bend the plastic and let the board fall out. anyways my offer still sands if you want it checked and possibly fixed. and ok.
I really appreciate the offer to look at it for me, seriously thank you.
I'll give it a shot and try to see if I can get the board out tonight. Hopefully I don't crack the plastic!
no problem! and i was going to say i can get the board out for you. but if you want to do it thats fine just becareful. and tbh if it does break its not a big deal trust me. once its back together no one would ever know. plus nothing a little super glue cant fix
Here's some screenshots of the game. There should be a + cursor to the left of the "ONE" or "NONE" selections on this menu:
And here is a screenshot from the first level. I have selected one player and none for light guns used and I am getting no crosshair:
Also, for reference you can see how the game should look with the crosshair from the James and Mike video:
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
As for cleaning, when I got the game it already looked clean but after seeing the problem I cleaned it anyways. The pins were like new, hardly any dirt came off onto the q-tips. The game starts up and plays fine, just this one issue with the no crosshairs, and I tried it in two different Nintendos. Very odd.
hmm. could you post a picture of what its doing? and if you want i can look at the game and check all the traces on the board. i could be a trace that need solder to repair
I can definitely post up pictures later tonight when I get home. But I don't know about opening it. Seems these game carts are like the Tengen unlicensed carts where one of the three screws is underneath the back label. I'd have to damage the label to get to the screw and I don't want to do that.
ah. well thre is a way to get the game out. ive done it with wally bear and the no gang. take the first 2 screw out and then you have to bend the plastic and let the board fall out. anyways my offer still sands if you want it checked and possibly fixed. and ok.
I really appreciate the offer to look at it for me, seriously thank you.
I'll give it a shot and try to see if I can get the board out tonight. Hopefully I don't crack the plastic!
no problem! and i was going to say i can get the board out for you. but if you want to do it thats fine just becareful. and tbh if it does break its not a big deal trust me. once its back together no one would ever know. plus nothing a little super glue cant fix
Hey I was wondering if you had a chance to take a look yet?
I decided I'm just going to put the game up for offer in its current state.
chiller is known for having weird issues. at least thats what ive heard over the years. did you try cleaning the game?
Yeah from the research I did I found several posts describing various issues with it. Damn low-quality unlicensed manufacturing.
As for cleaning, when I got the game it already looked clean but after seeing the problem I cleaned it anyways. The pins were like new, hardly any dirt came off onto the q-tips. The game starts up and plays fine, just this one issue with the no crosshairs, and I tried it in two different Nintendos. Very odd.
hmm. could you post a picture of what its doing? and if you want i can look at the game and check all the traces on the board. i could be a trace that need solder to repair
I can definitely post up pictures later tonight when I get home. But I don't know about opening it. Seems these game carts are like the Tengen unlicensed carts where one of the three screws is underneath the back label. I'd have to damage the label to get to the screw and I don't want to do that.
ah. well thre is a way to get the game out. ive done it with wally bear and the no gang. take the first 2 screw out and then you have to bend the plastic and let the board fall out. anyways my offer still sands if you want it checked and possibly fixed. and ok.
I really appreciate the offer to look at it for me, seriously thank you.
I'll give it a shot and try to see if I can get the board out tonight. Hopefully I don't crack the plastic!
no problem! and i was going to say i can get the board out for you. but if you want to do it thats fine just becareful. and tbh if it does break its not a big deal trust me. once its back together no one would ever know. plus nothing a little super glue cant fix
Hey I was wondering if you had a chance to take a look yet?
so i dont see anything out of the ordinary. but im looking al low res images. its weird cause if there was an issue with the traces it would be likely there would be other graphical errors besides the curcer missing.
so i dont see anything out of the ordinary. but im looking al low res images. its weird cause if there was an issue with the traces it would be likely there would be other graphical errors besides the curcer missing.
The images should be high res. If you right-click > copy image location and paste it into a new tab you should get the full sized image.
I'm wondering if there's really nothing wrong with the game but its something else causing it? I was thinking maybe it was my particular TV (plasma flat screen) but i also tried it on an old Sony trinitron and it did the same thing.