From: BCantin@aol.com
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 13:28:17 EDT
SEGA GENESIS/MEGA DRIVE F.A.Q.
Version 1.5
September 1998
Maintained by: Barry Cantin (BCantin@aol.com)
Contributors: John Hokanson Jr. (gameman@alphainfo.com)
Ken Arromdee (arromdee@jyusenkyou.cs.jhu.edu)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Introduction - About this FAQ
Section 1 - General Info
Section 2 - Technical Info
Section 3 - The Games
Section 4 - Peripherals
Section 5 - Emulators
Section 6 - Miscellaneous
**************************
* Introduction *
**************************
Shortly after releasing an update of the Sega CD FAQ, I was contacted by John
Hokanson about helping him put together a similar document for the Sega
Genesis (Mega Drive). I hadn't given it much thought before, due to the scope
of the project, but decided to work on this with John since he had already
done a good deal of work on it and I could fill in some of the details.
John eventually became overwhelmed with other commitments and could no longer
devote the time necessary to completing such a project, and sometime last year
he mailed me much of what is contained in this document. I've since taken
responsibility for the maintenance of the FAQ.
This is really a first draft of the Genesis/Mega Drive FAQ. There are many,
many gaps to fill in and I am doing them as I can. John has put a tremendous
amount of work into this and received a great deal of assistance from Ken
Arromdee. I was initially responsible for the title list (which is - in fact
how I started the Sega CD FAQ) and then wrote up a section on the Sega 32X
(which is now part of SlyDC's 32X FAQ). Now I have the task of updating and
maintaining this FAQ, which is purely enjoyable since I love the Sega Genesis
(and the portable Nomad).
John Hokanson has written a large portion of this document, particularly the
hardware technical areas. Much of what is included here was also culled from
Usenet posts, and the authors are given credit at the beginning of the pertinent section.
So here is the first cut, hope it is useful. Keep in mind that I am still
working on it and still have a great deal of material to go through, so please
bear with me on this. I still have odds & ends to add, but it will be some
time before I can get to all the materials I have on hand to include them. I
thought it might be good to get this version 'out on the street' now, and feel
that its content is sufficiently correct to release. Also please note that
this is Version 1.5; Version 1.0 was (considered to be) the initial copy sent
to me in 1996 by John Hokanson, to which I have added a very substantial
amount of material. Thanks. %^)
BWC 8/98
DISCLAIMER
This document contains information on modifying hardware, caring for your
hardware and software, and so forth. Procedures are described within that may
damage your equipment (although not likely). If you perform any of the
mods/cleaning procedures, etc. listed in this FAQ, you do so at your own risk.
I - and the other authors of this FAQ - do not take responsibility for any
broken hardware/software as a result of attempting anything described here.
The information is presented as a convenience for Sega Genesis/Megadrive fans,
and should be treated as such.
**************************
*Section 1 - General Info*
**************************
-------------------------------------------
1.1 The Sega Genesis and Mega Drive Systems
-------------------------------------------
The Genesis is a 16-bit home Video Game Console released in the US
by Sega Enterprises in August of 1989. The system was designed in
Japan as the 'Mega Drive' and released in 1988. It was primarily marketed
as a higher power alternative to the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and
competed initially with that and NEC's new PC Engine.
The Genesis had far more to offer then the NES, including better
graphics, better sound (in stereo, as opposed to the NES mono),
and greater speed.
Genesis and MegaDrive cartridges are about four inches long, three inches
high, and about 3/4' deep. Exceptions to this are those released by
Electronic Arts ('EA'), which are approximately 3x3' square. Accolade
cartridges are also approximately this size. Although narrower than standard
Genesis cartridge size, they fit comfortably inside all versions of Genesis
hardware.
The Mega Drive is the original name for the system. It is known as
the Mega Drive in all countries outside of North America. However, since
this FAQ was compiled and written in the US the term 'Genesis' will be used in
respect to the aforementioned system. Unless otherwise noted, assume that any
info pertaining to the Genesis, is correct for the Mega Drive.
In the US, the Genesis was released in three different models. The first
model was about 20' wide with a circular plate on the right half; the
cartridge slot is in the center of this. There is also a volume control and
headphone jack on this model.
The Genesis 2 was released in 1994, and is much smaller. It's square, about
11' on each side, and thinner. This model does not have a headphone jack or a
volume output. A third model Genesis ('Genesis 3') was released in 1998 by a
company called Majesco, Inc. (Majesco Sales is also responsible for many
early Genesis game title re-releases, and use cardboard boxes instead of the
nicer plastic cases). It's even smaller than the model 2 Genesis (approx. 8'
by 8') and is packaged without a game cartridge. The box is bright blue with
'Sega!' scrawled across the top.
A *portable* version of the Genesis, the Sega Nomad, was released in 1995. It
is about the same size as a Game Gear but with squared corners is a little
thicker. It features a high-quality 3' passive-matrix LCD screen and a full
compliment of six buttons. The Nomad also can also be hooked to a television
(there is a DIN-type output - Genesis II-style) and played simultaneously on
the Nomad screen and the television. There is also a port for a second joypad
to allow two-player play (although Player 1 must always use the Nomad joypad
and buttons). The Nomad was released in North America and Japan.
Unfortunately for Europe, Sega decided *not* to release the Nomad there.
For more information about the Sega Nomad, seek out a copy of Chris Pickett's
Sega Nomad FAQ (don't have a website address for it at this time).
Another 'portable' version of the Japanese Mega Drive was the 'Air Mega Drive'
(not certain about the name), which wasn't portable in that it had to be
connected to a TV/monitor to play. This unit was designed to be used on
airplanes for passengers to use in-flight.
There were some compatibility problems with some of the earlier third-party
cartridges (Electronic Arts titles: Budokan, Ishido, Zany Golf, a couple
others) with later Genesis units. These can only be played on an *early*
Model I Genesis, or on later models if you plug them into a Game Genie before
putting them into your Genesis.
Q: How can I tell if I have one of these early model Genesis units?
A: (something to do with the wording on the top of the unit... don't know
exactly)
Q: If I do not have an early Genesis, is there ANY way I can play these early
games on my newer Genesis system?
A: If you have a Game Genie, it is possible - just plug the cart into the
Genie and that into the Genesis. The lockout code of the newer model
Genesis unit is then disabled and the game will play properly.
Q: Will my Genesis cartridges fit inside a Master System game case?
A: Although the cases are virtually identical from the outside, the cart
sizes are different enough so that a Genesis cart will not quite fit
inside a Master System case. But it's better than nothing. One item
of note: often, Electronic Arts Genesis game manuals are much smaller
than the slots allotted for them inside the case, and tend to just flop
around loosely inside. (Pet peeve of the author's, obviously. %^)
------------------------------------------------------------
1.2 Differences Between the Sega Genesis and Sega Mega Drive
------------------------------------------------------------
From the Sega Programming FAQ:
------------------------------
Physically, on the outside, the only difference is the plastic case, the
cartridge shape is slightly different on the American version, smaller in
size. On the inside there are four jumpers labeled J1 though J4. J1 and J2
is the language switch, between English and Japanese, J3 and J4 select the
output between PAL and NTSC. You can build a switch that can allow you to
select between these options. The diagram is included in this further down.
The reason for the language switch is to keep people from getting the game
before it is officially released elsewhere in the world. The newer Sega
Machines do not have the jumpers, and hence you can not build a switch (as of
yet).
From the rec.games.video FAQ:
-----------------------------
MEGA DRIVE: Same as Genesis. Compatibility is a bit tricky.
The European and Australian machine called the Mega Drive is identical to the
Genesis except that it emits a 50 hertz PAL signal. The Japanese one is
identical to the Genesis except for (sometimes) the cartridge slot, and the
language setting.
First, to play games in the 'wrong' machine you must plug them in. You can
buy an adapter, or just cut away the plastic that keeps them from fitting. On
a US/European machine, this is some plastic around the slot; on an older
Japanese machine, this is the cartridge lock (the tab that pushes into the
slot from the left when you turn on the machine). I never even needed to
remove the cartridge lock, but some people have told me they did.
Now that you've plugged the game in, it _might_ run; cartridges can read the
language and 50/60 hertz setting, and some newer games are programmed to check
these settings and decide not to run at all. The following games are locked
out this way:
Do not run in English mode: Japanese versions of After Burner II, Bare
Knuckle 3, Chameleon Kid, Doraemon, Gunstar Heroes, Monster World 4,
Ragnacenti, Rolling Thunder II, Super Monaco GP 2, Super SF2, Thunder
Force IV, Virtua Racing, Yuu Yuu Hakusho.
Do not run in Japanese mode: US versions of Aladdin, Bio-Hazard Battle,
Castlevania Bloodlines, Cyborg Justice, Dragon's Fury, Eternal
Champions,
Flashback, Gauntlet IV, Gunstar Heroes, Landstalker, Lightening Force,
Mazin Saga, Outrun 2019, Phantasy Star IV, Ren and Stimpy, Rocket Knight
Adventures, SF2CE, Shadowrun, Shining Force, Shinobi 3, Streets of Rage
II, Streets of Rage III, Subterrania, Sunset Riders, Thunderstrike (CD),
World of Illusion, X-Men.
Do not run in 50 hertz mode: US versions of Flashback, Sonic Spinball,
Streets of Rage II, World of Illusion, World Series Baseball (And
probably most of the ones that don't run in Japanese mode, too.)
Does not run in 60 hertz mode: European version of Xenon2.
This list is nowhere near complete; these are just a few examples.
To play English/Japanese carts, you need a language switch, or a special
adapter which acts like one. To play European/non-European carts, you may
need a 50/60 hertz switch (see below). Some European Mega Drive games will
play perfectly on US systems. (The language switch is useful in its own
right. Some games have dual ROMs, and play US versions in US/European
machines and Japanese versions in Japanese machines; you can see both versions
by installing the switch.)
Q: Can my Game Genie work with foreign cartridges?
A: It appears to work with many, but I cannot vouch that it will work with
all of them. This is a great place to start trying, though.
****************************
*Section 2 - Technical Info*
****************************
----------------------------------------------------------
2.1 Genesis Technical Specs
----------------------------------------------------------
Taken from official (yet apparently released) Sega Documentation:
68000 @ 8 MHz
main CPU
1 MByte (8 Mbit) ROM Area
64 Kbytes RAM Area
VDP (Video Display Processor)
dedicated video display processor
- controls playfield & sprites
- capable of DMA
- Horizontal & Vertical interrupts
64 Kbytes of dedicated VRAM (Video Ram)
64 x 9-bits of CRAM (Color RAM)
Z80 @ 4 MHz
controls PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) & FM Chips
8 KBytes of dedicated Sound Ram
VIDEO:
NOTE: Playfield and Sprites are character-based
Display Area (visual)
- 40 chars wide x 28 chars high
each char is 8 x 8 pixels
pixel resolution = 320 x 224
- 3 Planes
2 scrolling playfields
1 sprite plane
definable priorities between planes
- Playfields:
6 different sizes
1 playfield can have a 'fixed' window
playfield map
- each char position takes 2 Bytes, that includes:
char name (10 bits); points to char definition
horizontal flip
vertical flip
color palette (2 bits); index into CRAM
priority
scrolling:
- 1 pixel scrolling resolution
- horizontal:
whole playfield as unit
each character line
each scan line
- vertical:
whole playfield as unit
2 char wide columns
- Sprites:
1 x 1 char up to 4 x 4 chars
up to 80 sprites can be defined
up to 20 sprites displayed on a scan line
sprite priorities
- Character Definitions
4 bits/pixel; points to color register
4 bytes/scanline of char
32 bytes for complete char definition
playfield & sprite chars are the same!
COLOR:
- Uses CRAM (part of the VDP)
64 9-bit wide color registers
- 64 colors out of 512 possible colors
3 bits of Red
3 bits of Green
3 bits of Blue
4 palettes of 16 colors
- 0th color (of each palette) is always transparent
OTHER:
- DMA
removes the 68000 from the BUS
can move 205 Bytes/scanline during VBLANK
- there are 36 scanlines during VBLANK
- DMA can move 7380 Bytes during VBLANK
- Horizontal & Vertical interrupts
SOUND:
- Z80 controls:
PSG (TI 76489 chip)
FM chip (Yamaha YM 2612)
- 6-channel stereo
Z80 can access ROM data
8 KBytes RAM
HARDWARE:
- 2 controllers
joypad
3 buttons
Start button
(A Three Button Variation of the above was later made available)
- 1 external port
- 2 video-outs (RF & RGB)
- audio jack (stereo)
- volume control (for audio jack)
-----------------------------------------------
A Brief Explanation of the Genesis Hardware
Taken directly from the Sega Programming FAQ:
The genesis graphics hardware consists of 2 scrollable planes.
Each plane is made up of tiles. Each tile is an 8x8 pixel square
with 4 bits per pixel. Each pixel can thus have 16 colors. Each
tile can use 1 of 4 color tables, so on screen you can get 64
colors at once, but only 16 in any specific tile. Tiles require
32 bytes. There is 64K of graphics memory. This would allow
for 2048 unique tiles if memory were used for nothing else.
Each plane can be scrolled independently in various ways.
Planes consist of tables of words, where each word describes a
tile. The word contains 11 bits for describing which tile, 2 bits
for flip x and flip y, 2 bits for the selection of the color
table, and 1 bit for a depth selector. Sprites are composed of
tiles also. A sprite can be up to 4 tiles wide by four tiles
high. Since each tile is 8x8, this means sprites can be anywhere
from 8x8 pixels to 32x32 pixels. There can be 80 sprites on
screen at one time. On a scan line you can have 10 32 pixel
wide sprites or 20 16 pixel wide sprites. Each sprite can
only have 16 colors but they are out of the 4 different color
tables. Color 0=transparent.
Colors are 3 bits for each gun, so 512 colors are possible.
There is a memory copier that is in hardware. This does fast
copies from the 68000 ram into the graphics ram.
The 68000 runs at about 8 MHz. It has 64K of memory devoted to it.
The ROM cartridge appears at 0.
The Z80 has 8K of ram. The 68000 can download programs to the
z80 and let them go. The z80 can access the graphics chips or
the sound synth chips but usually those things are controlled
by the 68000.
The sound chips consist of a Yamaha synthesis chip and a
TI programmable sound generator. The PSG has 3 square wave tones
and 1 white noise tone. Each tone/noise channel can have its own
frequency and volume.
The Yamaha chips are based on FM synthesis. There are 6 voices
with 4 operators each. The chips are similar to those used in
the Yamaha DX27 and DX100 synthesizers. By setting up registers
a rich variety of sounds can be created.
---------------------------------
Also of note (by John Hokanson):
The Yamaha YM 2612 FM Synthesis Chip is based on the Yamaha 2151
(which was used in earlier Sega Arcade Games). Ironically it's
of a higher quality then the OPL2/3 FM Synthesis chips produced
by Yamaha and used in Creative Labs PC sound cards such as the
popular 'Sound Blaster' line.
The Z80 chip used to issue instructions to the YM 2612, served
a duel purpose in that it provided backwards compatibility with
the older Sega Master System (predecessor to the Genesis). When
used with the 'Power Base Converter' SMS carts could be inserted
into the Genesis and use the Z80 as the main CPU (At which point
the 68000 was basically inactive).
Though the Genesis could only display a maximum of 64 colors at
any given time, special software techniques such as HAM (Hold and
Modify) could be used to boost color output. Such a technique was
used in the game 'Eternal Champions', which had an output of 256 colors.
Sega CD Based games (such as 'Snatcher') also used this method.
-------------------------------
2.2 Cartridge Pin Configuration
-------------------------------
To be added in a later release.
------------------------------
2.3 Joystick Pin Configuration
------------------------------
To be added in a later release.
---------------------------
2.4 Video Pin Configuration
---------------------------
From: QUINNGRANFOR@delphi.com
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.sega
The pin configuration is as follows....
Match pin----------O
Red-------------O O----Negative sync
O---Blue
Audio(mono)-O O---Composite Video
Vcc +5 volts---O O---Green
Ground--O
The O's are the pins...hope this helps.
Quinn Granfor
---------------------------
2.5 NTSC and PAL formats
---------------------------
NTSC and PAL are television broadcast frequencies. NTSC is about 60 (actually
59.94) fields per second, 525 lines per frame (each frame is 2 fields). PAL
is 50 fields per second and 625 lines per frame.
Parts of Europe and Hong Kong use PAL, while North America and Japan use
NTSC. There were NTSC and PAL versions of the Genesis/Megadrive released in
the appropriate regions. To the best of my knowledge, there was never a SECAM
(other parts of Europe) model.
Q: What happens when I play a PAL game on an NTSC console,
or vice versa without the switch?
A: If you play a NTSC game on a PAL console and the game is not programmed to
notice what kind of console you're on, there are two effects: first, the
game's screen is squashed because the 525 lines fit on a narrower portion
of the screen, and second, the game runs about 17 percent slower _if_ the
game's timing depends on events that happen at a specified rate compared
to the frame. (Or if its timing depends on the current, but it probably
won't, because part of Japan is 50 hertz but 60 fields per second.)
The opposite happens in reverse: the screen is stretched out (and probably
rolls badly) and the game is too fast. You can correct this problem by
building a 50/60Hz Switch.
BUILDING A 50/60Hz (NTSC/PAL) SWITCH
You can build a 50/60 hertz switch on a Genesis/Mega Drive like a language
switch, but using jumpers JP3 and JP4. The standard setting is 50 in PAL
areas such as Europe, and 60 in NTSC areas like the US and Japan. In the 60
hertz mode, the game is faster and the screen taller; however, not all TVs and
monitors in Europe can display this mode.
Some American/Japanese games are protected to keep Europeans from playing
them; this protection checks the 50/60 hertz setting. You can often get
around it by installing the switch and switching when starting the game, then
switching back afterwards.
Some European games are simple ports of American or Japanese games and are not
redesigned for 50 hertz, so work faster and with 'better' screen proportions
if played at 60 hertz.
----------------------------------------
2.6 The Japanese/English language switch
----------------------------------------
In order to make your Genesis/Megadrive into a Japanese machine (internally),
you can build a switch that will convert the electronics internally and fool
your machine into thinking it's Japanese. Many cartridges have both versions
(English and Japanese) built in, and the language switch will bring forth the
appropriate version.
Here's how to build your own. Note: I do not take responsibility for what
any reader(s) decide to do to their hardware or software; we are not liable
nor responsible.. this info is presented as such.
On a Genesis/MD, there are jumpers labeled JP1, JP2, JP4, and JP3. The
Genesis has a capacitor on JP1 and a trace on JP2; the Mega Drive has a
capacitor on JP2 and a trace on JP1. The bottom ends of JP1 and JP2 are
connected together. So if you cut the trace and the top end of the capacitor,
and install a DPDT switch between them which reconnects them either unchanged
or swapped left to right, you have a language switch. You'll need some wire,
a soldering iron, solder, and a DPDT switch.
Some machines have an open circuit instead of the capacitor. Also, I've been
told that even if there is a capacitor, you can throw it out and leave an open
circuit. Either way, the switch is a lot simpler, requiring a SPDT switch and
less wire and solder.
Several people have told me (JH) that you could just cut both JP1 and JP2 and
put a SPST switch on JP1. This is even simpler, but I'm not sure it really
works, as opposed to putting your machine in an intermediate state that only
sort-of works.
The redesigned Genesis 2 machines don't appear to have either the capacitor or
circuit. Nobody yet knows how to make the language switch for one, though
language switch adapter/cartridges should still work.
IF YOUR MACHINE HAS NO CAPACITOR (or if you want to cross your fingers and
throw away your capacitor) and is not a Genesis 2:
Cut JP2. The trace might be covered with paint and hard to see. (If you
started with a Mega Drive, JP2 is open and you have to cut JP1 instead.) If
you aren't sure which end I mean by 'bottom', just check the back of the board
to see which end is connected together.
Original state of machine: After cutting:
JP2 top JP1 top JP2 top JP1 top
| | | |
| | | |
|
|
|
|
| | | |
\ / \ /
\_______/ \_______/
bottom of both bottom of both
Add a SPDT switch which can be in one of two positions:
._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
. .
. . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
. . . .
JP2 top JP1 top . .
| | . .
| | _________
| o o |
| \ |
| \ |
\___o___/
| | .
\ / .
\_______/ - - - - - - - - - - - -
bottom of both
._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
. .
. . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
. . . .
JP2 top JP1 top . .
| | . .
| | _________
| o o |
| / |
| / |
\___o___/
| | .
\ / .
\_______/ - - - - - - - - - - - -
bottom of both
-----------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOUR MACHINE DOES HAVE THE CAPACITOR:
Cut both sides. (Note: if you started with a Japanese Mega Drive the
capacitor will be on the side labeled X instead)
Original state of machine: After cutting:
JP2 top JP1 top JP2 top JP1 top
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| |
| | |
X | ### X | ###
| ### | ###
| ### | ###
\ / \ /
\_______/ \_______/
bottom of both
add switch which can be in one of two positions:
JP2 top JP1 top (Connect 2 to 2
| | and 1 to 1)
| |
2 1 2 1 1 2
______________
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ | o o o o |
| ` | \ \ |
X | ###` ` | \ \ |
| ### ` ` \____o__o____/
| ### ` ` ' '
\ / ` `- - - - -' '
\_______/ ` _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ '
bottom of both
JP2 top JP1 top (Connect 2 to 2
| | and 1 to 1)
| |
2 1 2 1 1 2
______________
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ | o o o o |
| ` | / / |
X | ###` ` | / / |
| ### ` ` \____o__o____/
| ### ` ` ' '
\ / ` `- - - - -' '
\_______/ ` _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ '
bottom of both
----------------------------------------------
2.7 Playing your Genesis on a computer monitor
----------------------------------------------
The Genesis can connect to an analog RGB monitor with a similar scan rate;
this means an analog RGB monitor for use with an Amiga, Atari ST, or Apple
//gs. An analog RGB multisync monitor would also work; a digital monitor
(CGA or EGA only for PC's) will not.
-----------------------------------------------
2.8 How to I build an RGB Cable for the Genesis
-----------------------------------------------
From: dgb@owlnet.rice.edu (Dennis Gale Brown)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.sega
This is an article I wrote last year to post here. I'm posting it again.
This is probably not the best way to hook up the Genesis to a monitor
but it works. I have no clue what the 'new' Genesis is like, so this
may or may not work with it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's how I hooked up my Genesis to my NEC Multisync II:
First, I went to Radio Shack and bought the following parts:
274-026 8-pin DIN plug (Genesis end)
276-1427 9 Position D-shell MALE connector
276-1513 Hood for above
278-775 9-conductor wire (sold by the foot; I got 3')
Then I checked out the Genesis Monitor pinout from the FAQ:
(looking at port itself)
1 . 8 . 7
2 . . . 6
3 . . 5
4 '
(these numbers probably aren't correct but they match my list below!):
1 - Negative Combined Sync
2 - Composite Video
3 - Green
4 - Ground
5 - +5 Volts
6 - Audio
7 - Red
8 - Green
Then I checked out the pinout for the Multisync:
1 2 3 4 5
. . . . .
. . . .
6 7 8 9
2 - Sync
3 - Blue (analog)
4 - Green (analog)
5 - Red (analog)
6 - Ground
(again, numbers are probably wrong, and this isn't the full pin-out, but
it's enough)
After this, it's just a matter of putting things together. Using the
8-pin DIN connector requires some soldering, but the 9-pin connector
I chose can simply have the pins clamped onto the wires.
One note: You may have to bend the pins in the 8-pin connector slightly
to make it fit in the Genesis. I had to bend the middle pin down a bit
and the two top pins outward. After that, no problem.
Final word: Do this at your own risk. This probably isn't the best way to
go about this, but it does work. If your equipment blows up, don't blame me!
Have fun...
BTW, If you have a different monitor, I can't help you. All I can say is that
if it works with an Amiga 500/1000/2000, it probably works with the Genesis
(similar if not identical scan rates),
provided you have the correct pinouts and connectors...
------------------------------------------
2.9 How to build a Genesis Joystick/Joypad
------------------------------------------
If you have trouble finding joypads in your area, or want a specially-
configured joypad, the following post is for you. Otherwise, nowadays it is
easy to find brand new Genesis joypads being dumped on the market as the
16-bit gaming market dies out.
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 93 08:10:28 CST
From: nhowland@centurion.ksu.ksu.edu (Neal Patrick Howland)
To: sysrick@starbase.spd.louisville.edu
Subject: Genesis joystick pinouts
Yes folks! It is the much requested Genesis joystick pinout information!!!
<much applause>
First some background info: The chip inside the controller is a 74HC157.
This is a high-speed cmos quad 2-line to 1-line multiplexer. Basically how
this works is there are two inputs ( A and B ) for every output ( Y ). There
are four groups like this. There is one select signal for the whole chip.
When the select signal is low, the output ( Y ) is the same as input A. When
the select signal is high, the output Y is the same as input B. The pinout
for the chip is as follows:
Pin 1 - Select Pin 16 - Vcc (+5V)
Pin 2 - 1A Pin 15 - G (? must be low)
Pin 3 - 1B Pin 14 - 4A
Pin 4 - 1Y Pin 13 - 4B
Pin 5 - 2A Pin 12 - 4Y
Pin 6 - 2B Pin 11 - 3A
Pin 7 - 2Y Pin 10 - 3B
Pin 8 - Gnd Pin 9 - 3Y
All the controls are done with switches. Up is a switch, Down is a switch,
etc. Now, I will be referring to the output of these switches later on. What
I mean is that the output is usually high, that is when the switch isn't
pressed.
When the button is pushed, the output goes low. This is accomplished by
connecting the output to +5V through a 10k resistor. The button is then
attached between the output and ground. It looks like this:
+5V -----/\/\/------+--------- Output
10k |
|
/ |
Ground -----/ -------+
button
(normally open)
For all of those who could actually decipher the above schematic,
congratulations!
I will now run down what lines from the plug are connected to what.
The line numbers are determined as follows, looking straight at the plug on
the front of the Genesis the numbers are:
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9
(For those of you who buy a joystick cable from radio shack the pin #'s to
wire colors are as follows: 1-black 2-brown 3-red 4-orange 5-get cup from
bag
sorry about that, lets start again 1-white 2-blue 3-green 4-brown 5-yellow
6-orange 7-red 8-black 9-gray, )
anyway, line connections:
Line 1 - Up output
Line 2 - Down output These are the only two direct connections
Line 3 - Pin 4 of the chip output 1Y
Line 4 - Pin 7 of the chip output 2Y
Line 5 - This line carries in +5V. It is connected to the +5V bus line.
Line 6 - Pin 9 of the chip output 3Y
line 7 - Pin 1 of the chip this carries in a select signal from the Genesis.
This is a signal which varies rapidly and
controls which input goes through the output
Line 8 - Ground This is connected to the Ground bus line.
Line 9 - Pin 12 of the chip output 4Y
Now for the chips pin connections:
Pin 1 - Line 7 (select)
Pin 2 - Ground (1A) don't ask me why they do this. Maybe future expansion
Pin 3 - Left (1B)
Pin 4 - Line 3 (1Y)
Pin 5 - Ground (2A) again, possibly future expansion
Pin 6 - Right (2B)
Pin 7 - Line 4 (2Y)
Pin 8 - Ground (GND)
Pin 9 - Line 6 (3Y)
Pin 10 - Button B (3B)
Pin 11 - Button A (3A)
Pin 12 - Line 9 (4Y)
Pin 13 - Button C (4B)
Pin 14 - Start (4A)
Pin 15 - Ground (G) This must be connected to ground
Pin 16 - +5V (Vcc) Power source for the chip
Anyway that's all the info needed to build your own joystick.
Now as an added bonus, additional information!
A simple source for a joystick cable is the Radio Shack joystick extension
cable. It is around $5 and is 10 ft. long. Just snip off the connector that
won't plug into the Genesis, strip the wires back, and use the color pinout
list I gave above.
I went to my local arcade game repair company today and purchased the supplies
I needed. They were much cheaper than I expected. Things you would need to
buy from them would be:
an 8-way joystick this ran me $15
3 buttons $2.50 apiece
3.0 Game List
There were approximately 700 game cartridges released for the Sega Genesis. I
cannot vouch for each and every one of these listed here, but for the most
part the list is accurate release-wise. I still have a few blanks in there,
and do have most of the info at my disposal. It takes time to get each and
every piece of information, so in order to release this now I just left the
ones I don't have yet blank.
Some titles have been re-released with different publishers; I try to consider
both when listing this. More information on this can be found after the game
list.
Note: Some games do not comfortably fit into one single category. In
these cases, two categories were assigned to the game type to
describe them better.
Game types (these are my definitions, and I do not claim them to be absolute):
Adventure - game contains elements of exploration and requires fulfilling
some sort of quest or other obligation(s) before moving to a
higher level. 'Isoadventure' indicates that the game uses
an 'isometric' perspective, which means that the character and
surrounding area are viewed from a 45-degree angle between
head-on and sideways. (Move squares may appear as diamonds)
Arcade - action/reflex-based game based on arcade title.
Board game - based on/conversion of popular board game.
Educational - game teaches (mainly youngsters) various things during
play.
Fighting - if the description just says 'fighting' then it's a 1-on-1
fighting game where the objective is to win 2 out of 3 matches
then move on to the next opponent. If the description is
'platform/fighting' then the game is a fight-based platform
game, in which you must fight your way through various scenes
and environments and beat the boss at the end of each level.
Flt sim - flight simulator. Game provides 1st-person perspective view
during flight sequences.
Multi - game has multiple formats.
Platform - game uses platforms (originally defined by 'Super Mario Bros.',
in which Mario jumps from platform to platform) in its setting.
Can be a shooter or a fighting game.
Puzzle - game requires solving various levels/types of puzzles.
Quiz - game as numerous question/answer quizzes for player.
Racing - typically a car racing game, can be 1st-person perspective or
over-the-driver view.
RPG - 'Role Playing Game'. You take on the persona of the main
character of the game, and build various attributes (strength,
attack and defense abilities, etc.) while fulfilling a quest.
Shooter - game's primary objective it to shoot the bad guys. Can be
vertical, horizontal, with or without platforms. A '1st Person
Shooter' is one in which the perspective is from the player,
PC examples include 'Doom', 'Wolf 3D', and 'Quake'.
Sim - When attached to 'Strategy', refers to a battle simulation.
Could also refer to hardware/vehicle simulations.
Sports - pretty obvious, huh? %^)
Strategy - game has elements of planning and decision-making, may be
turn-based or real-time.
Also: The publisher(s) listed apply to the North American releases only.
Name Type Publisher
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Ninjas Platform/Fight Sony Imagesoft
52-in-1 (2) Multi Active Ent.
6-In-1 Menacer Cart Shooting Sega
6-Pak Multi Sega
688 Attack Sub Strategy/sim Sega
AAAHH!!! Real Monsters Platform Viacom
Abrams Battle Tank Strategy Sega
Addams Family Platform/Strat Flying Edge
Addams Family Values Platform Ocean
Advanced D&D: Warriors of the Eternal Sun RPG Sega
Adventures of Batman and Robin Platform/Fight Sega
Adventures of Mighty Max Platform Ocean
Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle Platform Absolute
Aero the Acrobat Platform Sunsoft
Aero the Acrobat 2 Platform Sunsoft
Aerobiz Strategy Koei
Aerobiz Supersonic Strategy Koei
After Burner II Shooter Sega
Air Buster Shooter Kaneco
Air Diver Shooter/Sim Seismic
Aladdin Platform Sega
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle Platform Sega
Alien 3 Arcade Arena
Alien Storm Action Sega
Alisia Dragoon Adventure Game Arts
Altered Beast Platform Sega
Amazing Tennis Sports
American Gladiators Sports Gametek
Andre Agassi Tennis Sports Tecmagik
Animaniacs Platform Konami
Aquatic Games - James Pond Sports EA
Arcade Classics Arcade Sega
Arcade's Greatest Hits Arcade Williams
Arch Rivals Sports Flying Edge
Arcus Odyssey RPG/Adventure Renovation
Ariel - The Little Mermaid Platform Sega
Arnold Palmer's Tournament Golf Sports Sega
Arrow Flash Platform/Shoot Renovation
Art Alive Educational Sega
Art of Fighting Fighting
Asterix and the Great Rescue Platform Sega
Atomic Robo Kid Shooter Treco
Atomic Runner Shooter/Platfm Data East
ATP Tour Tennis Sports EA Sports
Awesome Possum Platform Tengen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B.O.B. Platform EA
Back to the Future III
Ballz Fighting Accolade
Barbie Platform/misc Hi-Tech Expr.
Barkley: Shut Up and Jam! Sports Accolade
Barkley: Shut Up and Jam 2 Sports Accolade
Barney's Hide & Seek Educational Sega
Bass Masters Classic Sports Black Pearl
Bass Masters Classic Pro Edition Sports T*HQ
Batman Platform/Fight Sega
Batman Forever Platform/Fight Acclaim
Batman Returns Platform Sega
Batman: Revenge of the Joker Platform/Fight Sunsoft
Battle Master
Battle Squadron Shooter EA
Battletech Shooter/Sim
Battletoads Platform/Fight Tradewest
Battletoads/Double Dragon Fighting Tradewest
Beast Wrestler Fighting Renovation
Beauty & the Beast: Belle's Quest Platform Sunsoft
Beauty & the Beast: Roar of the Beast Platform Sunsoft
Beavis and Butthead Platform Viacom
Berenstain Bears: Camping Adventure Platform Sega
Best of the Best Karate Fighting
Beyond Oasis Adv/RPG Sega
Bill Walsh College Football Sports EA Sports
Bill Walsh College Football '95 Sports EA Sports
Bimini Run Shooter NuVision
Bio Hazard Battle Shooter Sega
Blades of Vengeance Adventure EA
Blaster Master 2 Shooter/Platfm Sunsoft
Block Out Puzzle EA
Bonanza Brothers
Bonkers Platform Sega
Boogerman Platform Interplay
Boxing Legends of the Ring Sports
Brett Hull Hockey '95 Sports Accolade
Brutal: Paws of Fury Fighting Gametek
Bubba 'n Stix
Bubble & Squeak Platform Sunsoft
Bubsy Platform Accolade
Bubsy II Platform Accolade
Buck Rogers RPG/Adventure EA
Budokan (1) Fighting EA
Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble Platform Sega
Bulls vs. Blazers Sports EA
Bulls vs. Lakers Sports EA
Burning Force Shooter Namco
Buster Douglas Boxing Sports Sega
Busy Town
Cadash Platfm/Fighter Taito
Caesars Palace Strategy Virgin
Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball Sports Mindscape
Caliber .50 Shooter Mentrix
California Games Sports Sega
Captain America Platform/shoot Data East
Castlevania Bloodlines Platform Konami
Centurion: Defender of Rome Strategy EA
Chakan Platform/Fight Sega
Champions - World Class Soccer Sports
Championship Bowling Sports Mentrix
Championship Pool Sports Mindscape/SWT
Championship Pro Am Racing Tradewest
Chase HQ II Racing Taito
Chavez II Sports
Chester Cheetah Platform Kaneco
Chester Cheetah's Wild Wild Quest Platform
Chi Chi's Pro Challenge Golf Sports Virgin
Chiki Chiki Boys
Chuck Rock Platform Virgin
Chuck Rock II Platform Virgin
Clayfighter Fighting Interplay
Cliffhanger Platform/Fight Sony Imagesoft
Clue Board Game Parker Bros.
Coach K College Basketball Sports EA Sports
College Football National Championship Sports Sega Sports
College Football National Championship II Sports Sega Sports
College Football USA '96 Sports EA Sports
College Football USA '97 Sports EA Sports
College Slam Sports Acclaim
Columns Puzzle Sega
Columns III Puzzle Vic Tokai
Combat Cars Racing Accolade
Comix Zone Platform Sega
Contra Hard Corps Shooter/Platfm Konami
Cool Spot Platform Virgin
Cosmic Spacehead Platform Codemasters
Crackdown Action/Strat. Sage's Creation
Crossfire
Crue Ball Pinball EA
Crusader of Centy Action RPG Atlus
Crystal's Pony Tale Adventure/Pltfm Sega Club
Cutthroat Island Platform Acclaim
Cyber Cop Platform Virgin
Cyberball Sports Sega
Cyborg Justice Fighting Sega
Dark Castle Adventure EA
Dashin' Desperadoes Platform/Racing Data East
David Robinson's Supreme Court Sports Sega
Davis Cup Tennis Sports Tengen
Deadly Moves Fighting Kaneco
Death and Return of Superman
Death Duel Shooter Razorsoft
Decapattack Platform Sega
Demolition Man
Desert Demolition - Road Runner Platform Sega
Desert Strike Shooter/Strat. EA
Devilish Arcade Sage's Creation
Dick Tracy Platform/Fight Sega
Dick Vitale's College Hoops Sports
Dino Land Pinball Renovation
Dinosaur's Tale Platform Hi-Tech Ent.
Dinosaurs for Hire Platform
DJ Boy Fighting/Platfm Kaneco
Doom Troopers
Double Dragon Fighting/Platfm Tradewest
Double Dragon 3: The Arcade Game Fighting/Platfm Tradewest
Double Dragon V Fighting Tradewest
Double Dribble Sports Konami
Dr. Robotnik's Bean Machine Puzzle Sega
Dracula (Bram Stoker's) Platform/fight Sony Imagesoft
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Fighting Acclaim
Dragon's Fury Pinball Tengen
Dragon's Revenge Pinball Tengen
Duel: Test Drive II Racing Accolade
Dune Strategy Virgin
Dynamite Duke Platform Sega
Dynamite Headdy Platform Sega
E-SWAT Shooter Sega
EA Hockey - European League Sports EA Sports
Earnest Evans Platform Renovation
Earth Defense (2) Shooter Realtec
Earthworm Jim Platform Playmates
Earthworm Jim 2 Platform Playmates
Ecco: Tides of Time Adventure Sega
Ecco Jr. Educational Sega Club
Ecco the Dolphin Adventure Sega
El Viento Platform Renovation
Elemental Master
ESPN Baseball Tonight Sports Sony Imagesoft
ESPN National Hockey Night Sports Sony Imagesoft
ESPN Speed World Racing Sony Imagesoft
ESPN Sunday Night NFL Sports Sony Imagesoft
Eternal Champions Fighting Sega
Evander Holyfield Boxing Sports
Ex-Mutants Platform/Fight
Exile Action RPG Renovation
Exo Squad Shooter Playmates
F-117 Night Storm Shooter/Flt Sim EA
F-15 Strike Eagle II Shooter/Flt Sim Microprose
F-22 Interceptor Shooter/Flt Sim EA
Faery Tale Adventure Adventure/RPG EA
Family Feud Quiz Gametek
Fantasia Platform Sega
Fantastic Dizzy Platform Codemasters
Fatal Fury Fighting Takara
Fatal Fury 2 Fighting Takara
Fatal Labyrinth Adventure Sega
Fatal Rewind Shooter/Platfm EA
Ferrari Grand Prix Challenge Racing Flying Edge
FIFA Soccer Sports EA Sports
FIFA Soccer '95 Sports EA Sports
FIFA Soccer '96 Sports EA Sports
FIFA Soccer '97 Sports EA Sports
Fighting Masters Fighting Treco
Final Zone Shooter Renovation
Fire Shark Shooter Dreamworks
Flashback Platform/Adv. US Gold
Flicky Platform Sega
Flintstones Platform Taito
Foreman for Real Sports Flying Edge
Forgotten Worlds Fighting Capcom
Formula One Racing Domark
Frank Thomas - Big Hurt Baseball Sports Acclaim
Frankenstein Platform Sony Imagesoft
Fun and Games Educational Tradewest
Funny World/Balloon Boy (2) Arcade Realtec
G-Loc Shooter (1st P) Sega
Gadget Twins Platform Gametek
Gaiares Shooter Renovation
Gain Ground Adventure/Shoot Renovation
Galahad Shooter/strat Sega
Galaxy Force II Shooter Sega
Garfield Caught In The Act Platform Sega
Gargoyles Platform Disney Int.
Gauntlet IV Adv/Shooter Tengen
Gemfire Strategy Koei
General Chaos Shooter/strat EA
Generations Lost
Genghis Khan II Strategy Koei
George Foreman KO Boxing Sports Flying Edge
Ghostbusters Platform/shoot Sega
Ghouls 'n' Ghosts Platform Sega
Global Gladiators
Gods Platform Mindscape
Golden Axe Fighting/Platfm Sega
Golden Axe II Fighting/Platfm Sega
Goofy's Hysterical Tour Platform Absolute
Granada Shooter Renovation
Great Circus Mystery Platform Capcom
Great Waldo Search Puzzle T*HQ
Greatest Heavyweights Sports Sega Sports
Greendog
Grind Stormer Shooter Tengen
Growl Fighting/Platfm Taito
Gunstar Heroes Platform/Shootr Sega
Hardball Sports Ballistic/Accolade
Hardball III Sports Accolade
Hardball '94 Sports Accolade
Hardball '95 Sports Accolade
Hard Drivin' Racing Tengen
Harrint
Haunting (Starring Polterguy) Arcd/Adventure EA
Head-On Soccer Sports
Heavy Nova Fighting
Hellfire Shooter Seismic
Herzog Zwei Strategy Sega
High Seas Havoc Platform
Hit the Ice Sports Taito
Home Alone Platform Sega
Home Alone 2 Platform Sega
Hook Platform Sony Imagesoft
Humans Puzzle
Immortal Adv/Isoplatfm EA
Incredible Crash Dummies Platform
Incredible Hulk Platform US Gold
Indiana Jones: Last Crusade Platform/Fight
Insector X Shooter Sage's Creation
International Tour Tennis Sports EA Sports
Ishido (2) Puzzle EA
Izzy's Quest for the Olympic Rings
Jack Nicklaus Power Challenge Golf Sports Ballistic/Accolade
James Bond 007: The Duel Platform Domark
James Pond Platform EA
James Pond 2: Codename Robocod Platform EA
James Pond 3 Platform EA
Jammit Sports Virgin
Jennifer Capriati Tennis Sports Renovation
Jeopardy! Quiz Gametek
Jeopardy! Deluxe Edition Quiz Gametek
Jeopardy! Sports Edition Quiz Gametek
Jewel Master Platform Sega
Joe & Mac Platform Takara
Joe Montana Football Sports Sega
Joe Montana Football 2 Sports Sega
Joe Montana Football '93 Sports Sega
Joe Montana Football '94 Sports Sega
John Madden Football Sports EA Sports
John Madden Football '92 Sports EA Sports
John Madden Football '93 Sports EA Sports
John Madden Football '94 Sports EA Sports
John Madden Football '95 Sports EA Sports
John Madden Football '96 Sports EA Sports
John Madden Football '97 Sports EA Sports
John Madden Football '98 Sports EA Sports
John Madden Football Championship Sports EA Sports
Jordan vs. Bird Sports
Judge Dredd Platform/Fight Acclaim
Junction Puzzle Bignet USA
Jungle Book (9) Platform Virgin/Sega
Jungle Strike Shooter/Strat EA
Jurassic Park Platform Sega
Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition Platform/Adv Sega
Jurassic Park: The Lost World Platform/Adv Sega
Justice League Task Force Fighting Acclaim
Ka Ge Ki Fighting Sage's Creation
Kawasaki Superbike Challenge Racing Time-Warner Int.
Kid Chameleon Platform Sega
King of the Monsters Fighting Takara
King of the Monsters 2 Fighting Takara
King Salmon Sports Vic Tokai
King's Bounty Adv/strategy EA
Klax Puzzle Tengen
Krusty's Super Fun House Action/Puzzle Acclaim
Lakers vs. Celtics Sports EA
Landstalker Adventure/RPG Sega
Last Action Hero Platform/Fight Sony Img.
Last Battle Fighting Sega
Lawnmower Man Action/Shooter
Leaderboard Golf Sports Sega
Lemmings Puzzle/Arcade Sunsoft
Lemmings 2 Tribes Puzzle/Arcade Psygnosis
Lethal Enforcers (5) Shooter Konami
Lethal Enforcers II Shooter Konami
LHX Attack Chopper Shooter/Flt Sim EA
Liberty or Death Strategy Koei
Light Crusader Adv.RPG Sega
Lightening Force Shooter
Lion King Shooter Virgin
Lost Vikings Puzzle/Arcade Accolade
Lotus Turbo Challenge Racing EA
Lotus II Racing EA
Madden Football see 'John Madden Football'
Magic School Bus Educational |
|小黑屋|手机版|Archiver|Nw壬天堂世界
( 京ICP备05022083号-1 京公网安备11010202001397号 )
发表于 2004-4-16 23:16:54
提升卡
变色卡
显身卡
楼主
不过还是谢了