SNES having graphical glitches on LCD TV

[BearChair]

Hi,

I've read Rackeyboy for awhile, but this is the first time I've had a question.

I have a SNES hooked up to a LCD TV. I'm getting graphical glitches on FFVI and Secret of Mana. I've cleaned both games with q-tips and rubbing alcohol, and am still getting the same issues. I tried to clean the contacts on the SNES as well, but it is difficult because of how its made.

Is it possible that the glitches are coming because of have a modern LCD? Is there anything else I can do to clean the SNES or the games? Is there any more troubleshooting I can do before I just buy a new SNES console?

Secret of Mana has the enemies appearing invisible until you hit them, then they turn into random squiggles and digits. The overworld (the mode 7 part) is just flickering blocks of green.

Final Fantasy VI has lines of sprites missing. For instance, during the opening, as it scrolls, portions of the landscape will be gone and the background will be visible. There is also similar graphical flickering similar to what I described in Secret of Mana when it gets to Kefka's castle during the opening scroll.

Reading here, it looks like some LCD TVs have problems with older game systems. I am currently using composite cables to hook it up, should I invest in an S-video cable to fix the problem?

[Hobie-wan]

That sounds more like dirty carts/connector if you're actually getting scrambled graphics like that. To clean the cart slot, disconnect the system and get a piece of clean cardboard from a food box. Cut it to fit the width of the slot and fold it brown side out so you have double or triple thickness that is about the same as the board sticking out of the cart. Dampen it with the alcohol and then insert and remove it like a cart several times. If it comes out visibly dirty, cut another piece and do it again. Prop the flap open and let the system dry for at least 30 minutes to an hour before you hook it up and give it another shot.

[BearChair]

Thanks for the tip. I tried it, and it didn't work. No change whatsoever. Any other ideas?

[Hobie-wan]

Just these 2 games or all? I have a broken SNES that gives scrambled graphics no matter the game, which all work on other consoles fine.

[AznKhmerBoi]

i play my snes on lcd via composite cables and no glitches for me.

[BearChair]

I got married over the weekend, and while my parents were visiting, I had them bring my SNES along with FFVI, Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger. I have many other games at home, but these were the one I was most interested to replay. To be fair, I have not tested Chrono Trigger yet, but the other two continue to have the same problems. I don't have another TV to test it on, and all of my other games are several hours away, so its not really possible to see if its just these games. The only other hint that I can give you, if it helps, is that last year, I was playing it at my parents' house and neither Mega Man X nor Street Fighter 2 Turbo worked at all. However, other games were working no problem.

I guess, if I can't fix this, is there any advantage to buying a second-gen SNES (the later one that looks a bit more like the Super Famicom)? Is it like the top-load NES in that it plays import games?

[AznKhmerBoi]

most of the games you have mentioned i have played it on lcd and works just fine.
What i think is it could be your games are dirty or your snes console is aging.
I have played Street Fighter 2 turbo, Secret of mana, Chrono Trigger, Donkey Kong, FF3, and Secret of Evermore and works just fine. There are times when i stick the game in and it doesnt work, but all i have to do is blow on the cart for a bit and plug it in and works well.

Sometimes if a game is very stubborn and wont work i usually just use a q-tip and dab of water and just clean pins and itll work.

[AppleQueso]

I guess, if I can't fix this, is there any advantage to buying a second-gen SNES (the later one that looks a bit more like the Super Famicom)? Is it like the top-load NES in that it plays import games?

No advantage at all. It doesn't work with S-Video, for one. Plus it's a bit flimsier all around.

As for imports, it's incredibly easy to mod any US snes to play japanese imports. Look inside the cartridge slot. See those two plastic tabs? Just cut those out, and you're done.

It's definitely either your SNES or your games causing those glitches. Most likely the SNES. There's no reason that just playing it on an LCD would scramble the graphics like that.

[CRTGAMER]

Agree, probably the contacts. But to be sure, can you post a screenshot to avoid all the guesstimation if it is the LCD or a cart glitch?

[AppleQueso]

Agree, probably the contacts. But to be sure, can you post a screenshot to avoid all the guesstimation if it is the LCD or a cart glitch?

Secret of Mana has the enemies appearing invisible until you hit them, then they turn into random squiggles and digits.

there is absolutely no way this could be the LCD.