Micro Machines NES question

[Dry Bones]

First off, hi guys. Occasional lurker who finally signed up here.

I'm trying to find out if every copy of Micro Machines for NES should have a region switch on the back. Anyone out there have a copy that doesnt have it? I got a complete copy of the game for Christmas and there is no switch on the back. There is a smaller connector in the place that the switch would normally be (a connector just like the bottom of the game, only smaller).

Problem is I cant get the game to work. Ive cleaned it a few times to no avail. It does the usual blinking, but I do see the Codemasters logo as it blinks. The cart is very clean and in great condition. Every other game I try works, so I know its not the NES. My thought was maybe mine was missing this switch, but I'm not sure. Maybe something internal is bad.

I know this question is kinda out there, but if anyone has the game and can let me know anything, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

-Chris

[Breetai]

First off, hi guys. Occasional lurker who finally signed up here.

I'm trying to find out if every copy of Micro Machines for NES should have a region switch on the back. Anyone out there have a copy that doesnt have it? I got a complete copy of the game for Christmas and there is no switch on the back. There is a smaller connector in the place that the switch would normally be (a connector just like the bottom of the game, only smaller).

Problem is I cant get the game to work. Ive cleaned it a few times to no avail. It does the usual blinking, but I do see the Codemasters logo as it blinks. The cart is very clean and in great condition. Every other game I try works, so I know its not the NES. My thought was maybe mine was missing this switch, but I'm not sure. Maybe something internal is bad.

I know this question is kinda out there, but if anyone has the game and can let me know anything, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

-Chris

Have you tried opening it up and cleaning the entire contacts? The part of the contacts that you can see are just that; part of them. Perhaps they are dirty inside and need a full cleaning?

Strangely, I've had games work with a Game Genie that did not work without one. Maybe try it with a Game Genie?

[kiteJargon]

After trying everything cleaning-wise, that actually sounds like what happens when I try to play my MM with the switch in the wrong position. But definitely keep trying, that old NES is a fickle beast. Are you using the original grey flip-top NES or the top-loader?

[Dry Bones]

Breetai - I did open the cartridge up and clean all the contacts. I used a q-tip with alcohol, and also an eraser. Still had the same issue. I was very careful not to clean anything but the contacts.

After trying everything cleaning-wise, that actually sounds like what happens when I try to play my MM with the switch in the wrong position. But definitely keep trying, that old NES is a fickle beast. Are you using the original grey flip-top NES or the top-loader?

This is exactly what I did and didnt want to hear! If it is an issue where i'm missing the switch then I'm screwed, but at least I will have solved it. Does your switch come off? Does it seem like there is a connector under the switch? I dont see where anything seems broken from the connector.

I have a flip-top NES. I replaced the connectors within the last few years.

Thanks for the quick replys. Anyone else have a switch-less cart?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I had a problem with my micromachines cart as well! Mine wouldn't work at all and I had to return it. Like you, I went through and thoroughly tested the cart and took high res pics of the board to study. I suggest you compare my micro machines board with yours.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30701966@N04/

After you do that, test it out on another system. a clone, a famicom, a toploader, whatever. If it works on something else, then the problem IS your NES.

the switch on the back of micromachines or any other camerica game isn't a region switch, it's a switch that sends a different electrical setting to the CIC lockout chip. Late revisions of the NES had a much stronger lockout chip that prevented unlicensed (non gray) carts from working.

If the game does work on another system, go open your NES and disable the lockout chip by cutting pin 4. Google will find you many tutorials for how to do this. Disabling the lockout chip will not negitively affect anything as long as you do it right - just remember that your goal is to disable the chip, not destroy it.

If after all that it still won't work, it's a faulty cart and you will need to buy a replacement.

[kiteJargon]

This is exactly what I did and didnt want to hear! If it is an issue where i'm missing the switch then I'm screwed, but at least I will have solved it. Does your switch come off? Does it seem like there is a connector under the switch? I dont see where anything seems broken from the connector.

Unfortunately I don't have the cart with me atm. Through some googling I found some people with the same problem. It all seems tied to the lockout chip which, as mentioned above was the reason for the switch in the first place.

[Hatta]

So disable the lockout chip.

[Dry Bones]

I had a problem with my micromachines cart as well! Mine wouldn't work at all and I had to return it. Like you, I went through and thoroughly tested the cart and took high res pics of the board to study. I suggest you compare my micro machines board with yours.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30701966@N04/

After you do that, test it out on another system. a clone, a famicom, a toploader, whatever. If it works on something else, then the problem IS your NES.

the switch on the back of micromachines or any other camerica game isn't a region switch, it's a switch that sends a different electrical setting to the CIC lockout chip. Late revisions of the NES had a much stronger lockout chip that prevented unlicensed (non gray) carts from working.

If the game does work on another system, go open your NES and disable the lockout chip by cutting pin 4. Google will find you many tutorials for how to do this. Disabling the lockout chip will not negitively affect anything as long as you do it right - just remember that your goal is to disable the chip, not destroy it.

If after all that it still won't work, it's a faulty cart and you will need to buy a replacement.

Thanks for the pics! I took a few of my own, but they arent quite as clear as yours.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57624894@N03/


Very different from yours. I have a connector where your switch is.

[Breetai]

I had a problem with my micromachines cart as well! Mine wouldn't work at all and I had to return it. Like you, I went through and thoroughly tested the cart and took high res pics of the board to study. I suggest you compare my micro machines board with yours.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30701966@N04/

After you do that, test it out on another system. a clone, a famicom, a toploader, whatever. If it works on something else, then the problem IS your NES.

the switch on the back of micromachines or any other camerica game isn't a region switch, it's a switch that sends a different electrical setting to the CIC lockout chip. Late revisions of the NES had a much stronger lockout chip that prevented unlicensed (non gray) carts from working.

If the game does work on another system, go open your NES and disable the lockout chip by cutting pin 4. Google will find you many tutorials for how to do this. Disabling the lockout chip will not negitively affect anything as long as you do it right - just remember that your goal is to disable the chip, not destroy it.

If after all that it still won't work, it's a faulty cart and you will need to buy a replacement.

Interesting and informative post! I haven't played MM since about... 1993 or 1994. I didn't realize some games were locked out, although I was aware of a lockout chip actually being present in the console. Hopefully that helps our new member out!

[Hobie-wan]

That's odd, almost like your copy had a jumper instead of a switch which would make it more likely for it to fall off and get lost along the way. The cart picture at bootgod uses a switch and a different board which is different from Satoshi's as well. Hopefully someone has one like yours and can provide information about a jumper or whatnot.

Hooray for the licensing war.