Need help identifying a Super Famicom cartridge adapter

[michielvoo]

Hello!

I obtained two of these recently from a seller that was also selling some copiers. As you can see from the photos below the adapter is unmarked, and has what seems to be a slot for a Famicom cassette, but the PCB does not have a Famicom connector. I tried it on a Super Famicom. Playing a Super Famicom game works, playing a PAL Super Nintendo game does not work, so it does not circumvent regional lockout. The IC is marked AG B9230 GAL16V8-25LNC.

I have two, so if you want one to figure out what it does, I am happy to give it to you free of charge.

// Gr. Michiel

 

[code1038]

is it to put cartridges from different countries without getting blocked by shape ?

 

[michielvoo]

Good one, I hadn't thought about that. The slot on the top is shaped to fit a Super Famicom (or European Super Nintendo) cassette though. I don't have an American cassette to test. If I ever get one, I'll make sure to see if it fits.

Thanks!

 

[T_chan]

It's a little bit different from / more simple than the AD-29 adapter that I have...
The AD-29 adapter has 2 slots, I think it then uses the region chip of the 2nd cartridge, allowing I think to play a PAL game on a NTSC console (or the opposite - never tried though).




The second slot on your adapter does not seem to be connected, but looks as if it has the format of a famicom cartridge.
Maybe there was another model that included a famicom to super famicom adapter, and that was using the same casing ?

 

[michielvoo]

A Famicom to Super Famicom adapter is not possible though. The Super Famicom's CPU can run code assembled for the Famicom's 6502 CPU, but the hardware architecture is completely different. The only thing close is the Tri-Star, which only uses the Super Nintendo for its power and joypads.

So even if there was an adapter in this shape with a Famicom connector, what could that have been used for?

 

[T_chan]

Those kind of adapters existed:

Famicom Adapter for Super Nintendo

Let you play Japanese 60Pins 8-bit famicom games cartridge on a SNES/Super Nintendo or Japanese 16-bit SNES/Super Nintendo Clone console including the following: Direct AV output on FCDual, PokefamiDX, RetroDuo, RetroDuo Portable, Super RetroTRIO console AV output port with cable for original...

retrogameskw.com

(similar to the tri-star indeed, but in a much smaller package)

 

[michielvoo]

I think these modern Famicom adapters have an FPGA that emulates a Famicom, which is why they are so compact. But they share an important (in the context of this thread) detail with the Tri-Star adapter, an A/V connector. But no A/V connector or opening for one is present on these two adapters I have.

 

[takeshi385]

I think these modern Famicom adapters have an FPGA that emulates a Famicom, which is why they are so compact. But they share an important (in the context of this thread) detail with the Tri-Star adapter, an A/V connector. But no A/V connector or opening for one is present on these two adapters I have.

I don’t think it is an fpga, rather a system on a chip.

 

[Thebigman1106]

I'm wondering is its possibly a DSP1 addon for a old copier unit.

 

[Sys64738]

This is just speculation at this point however:

The plastic case could have been re-purposed from another device. The lower (FC) slot SEEMS to be for famicom cartidges (or Megadrive/MSX/SMS... Same shape) but a FC cartridge won't fit because the PCB is wider than the rectangular hole in the plastic.
It could have been used in some copier adapter originally and then recycled for this thing.

A PAL/GAL IC was used in some of the more advanced region bypass cartridges, it faked the 50/60 Hz, so you could use a protected cart (SFII) in a machine that already had some means to bypass the CIC. Knowing what cartridge pins the IC is connected to could clarify the matter.

 

[Jackhead]

I think famiclone chips like the Tristar Adapter, cheapest way.