What is the Problem with NES Carts and the Famicom GPM-02?

[grandta13]

I was considering getting a 72-pin to 60-pin adapter for my Famicom from Stone Age Gamer, but the site says that it won't work with the HVC-CPU-GPM-02 board, which is the one I have. I would like to know what the issue is and if there is anything I can do about it (short of buying an NES).

UPDATE: I contacted Stone Age Gamer (the seller) and they gave me this response:

We listed systems that we got complaints about. It doesn’t mean it won’t work with those, we are just warning you that we received complaints about those specific systems. These adapters were originally created because Yobo made a Famiclone system. Instead of originally making a North American system they made adapters for it. That is what these adapters were intended for. Eventually they did release a North American version so these are left over adapters. We think the main issue is that the PCB is slightly thinner than a normal Famicom cart PCB. So sometimes it doesn’t make a perfect connection depending on how worn/bent the pins in your system are. Some people said by wedging something like a folded piece of paper in the cart slot with it made it work fine, some people with those systems said they have no issues, it just depends.

It may work fine on your system, that warning is basically a “buy at your own risk” kind of thing.

What I would like to ask now is: why would some specific revisions have that issue? It seems like the type of problem that should affect all revisions, not just a few.

[Ziggy587]

It could just be a coincidence that more people reported a problem that happen to have that revision.

He said, "We think the main issue is that the PCB is slightly thinner than a normal Famicom cart PCB. So sometimes it doesn’t make a perfect connection..." Why not just get another 72-60 pin adapter?

[ApolloBoy]

I had one of those converters and it was total shit. Get yourself one of these instead: http://ebay.to/11DpnfJ

[grandta13]

I had one of those converters and it was total shit. Get yourself one of these instead: http://ebay.to/11DpnfJ

Could you please elaborate on what the problem(s) was/were? How is the one you linked to better? I would consider the adapter you mentioned, but considering the price coupled with the potential for several weeks postage, I would like to be sure before purchasing.

Also, which model of Famicom did you use?

[grandta13]

I've decided to get one of the StoneAgeGamer Adaptors, and it works perfectly with my Famicom. The only thing I should note is that, like with the FC-to-NES adaptors, you must attach the cart backwards relative to the console (the sale page shows carts attached the other way).

EDIT: I just noticed that the converter came with instructions, but they stuck inside the box and I didn't find them immediately. Also, the instructions indicate that it was designed for the Yobo FC (if anyone cares).

P.S. I would like to ask if in a situation like this, where a significant amount of time has passed and the new post in unrelated to the previous one, should I add a new reply like this or just edit the previous post?

[Ziggy587]

You can add a new reply, that'll bump it up. If you just edited your last post, no one would have seen it.

Also, the instructions indicate that it was designed for the Yobo FC (if anyone cares).

Well, that could potentially mean something. If it was designed for the cart slot in the Yobo FC, then it might not have taken into consideration the PCB thickness for compatibility in other cart slots.

[grandta13]

If it was designed for the cart slot in the Yobo FC, then it might not have taken into consideration the PCB thickness for compatibility in other cart slots.

I decided to check on this; I removed the connector from the shell (it's sealed with two Phillips screws) and placed it edge-to-edge with two Famicom games: Super Mario USA and Might and Magic. I can verify that, at least with mine, the PCB is thicker than the official ones. The thickness is noticeable to the naked eye, but the difference is less than a millimetre.

[Hobie-wan]

If it was designed for the cart slot in the Yobo FC, then it might not have taken into consideration the PCB thickness for compatibility in other cart slots.

I decided to check on this; I removed the connector from the shell (it's sealed with two Phillips screws) and placed it edge-to-edge with two Famicom games: Super Mario USA and Might and Magic. I can verify that, at least with mine, the PCB is thicker than the official ones. The thickness is noticeable to the naked eye, but the difference is less than a millimetre.

Then it could lead to issues like the Game Genie where it made the pins a little loose with a lot of use.

[Ziggy587]

Also, check the length of the pins versus a legit Famicom cart. If the pins are shorter, you could potentially push the adapter into the cart slot and have the pins pass the point of good contact. I learned this the hard way when I was testing FC carts out of the shell and not getting the games to boot.

But yeah, if the PCB is thicker, you have to reconsider using it.

[grandta13]

Then it could lead to issues like the Game Genie where it made the pins a little loose with a lot of use.

Yeah, I figured that could be a potential problem. I'll probably only use it until I replace the pins in my NES. I will state that it has the same thickness as the only pirate cart I own.

This is the pirate cart if you care: (These are the pictures the guy I bought it from took; I'll probably post my own pics for a more accurate comparison within a few days).