I've spent the last two days trying to decipher the SNES PCB codes. This is not only interesting, but it also means that we can determine some fields simply by looking at the rom.
If you're an avid SNES dumper, please look at the following list and try to help me correct any errors and solve remaining mysteries.
Code: Select all
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System: SFC/SNES
Subject: PCB Serials
Version: 20071019
Authors: FitzRoy & Yakushi~Kabuto
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Format
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[Code 1]-[Code 2]-[Code 3]-[Code 4]
Code 1
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BSC: "Broadcast Satellaview-X Cassette."
EA: "Electronic Arts." Sometimes on PCBs of EA game cartridges that were "Assembled in Puerto Rico."
MAXI: "?." Often on PCBs of game cartridges that were "Assembled in Mexico."
SHVC: "Super Home Video Computer." Often on PCBs of game cartridges that were "Made in Japan" or "Made in Mexico."
WEI: "Williams Entertainment Inc." Sometimes on PCBs of WEI game cartridges that were "Assembled in Mexico."
Code 2
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1***: 1 ROM chip (2Mb, 4Mb, 8Mb, 16Mb, or 32Mb)
Y***: 2 ROM chips (4Mb+2Mb or 4Mb+4Mb)
2***: 2 ROM chips (8Mb+2Mb, 8Mb+4Mb, or 8Mb+8Mb)
B***: 2 ROM chips (16Mb+4Mb, 16Mb+8Mb, or 16Mb+16Mb)
L***: 2 ROM chips (32Mb+8Mb or 32Mb+16Mb)
3***: 3 ROM chips (8Mb+2Mb+2Mb, 8Mb+4Mb+4Mb, 8Mb+8Mb+4Mb, or 8Mb+8Mb+8Mb)
*A**: No special chip (LoROM)
*B**: "DSP-1/2/3/4" special chip (LoROM)
*C**: "Super FX" special chip (LoROM) ?
*CA**: "Super FX" special chip (LoROM) ?
*CB**: "Super FX2" special chip (LoROM)
*DC**: "C4" special chip (LoROM)
*DE**: "Seta 18" special chip (LoROM)
*DH**: "SPC7110" special chip (HiROM)
*DS**: "DSP Seta" special chip (LoROM)
*E**: "OBC1" special chip (LoROM)
*J**: No special chip (HiROM)
*K**: "DSP-1/2/3/4" special chip (HiROM)
*L**: "SA-1" special chip (LoROM)
*N**: "S-DD1" special chip (LoROM)
*PV**: "Prototype Version"
**0*: No SRAM chip
**1*: 1 SRAM chip (16Kb)
**2*: 1 SRAM chip (32Kb)
**3*: 1 SRAM chip (64Kb)
**4*: 1 SRAM chip (128Kb)
**5*: 1 SRAM chip (256Kb)
**6*: 1 SRAM chip (512Kb)
**7*: 1 SRAM chip (512Kb/1MB) ?
**8*: 1 SRAM chip (512Kb/1MB) ?
**9*: 1 EPROM chip (?)
***B: "74LS139" memory address decoder chip for SRAM
***C: "RTC" real-time clock chip
***F: "LH28F020SUT-N80" flash EEPROM chip
***M: "MAD-1" or "MAD-R" memory address decoder chip for SRAM
***N: No memory address decoder chip for SRAM
***P: ?
***R: "S-RTC" real-time clock chip
***X: "MAD-2" memory address decoder chip for SRAM
****5S: Some "Super FX" games contain 256Kb of RAM for use as a framebuffer area. It is sometimes but not always denoted.
****6S: Some "Super FX" games contain 512Kb of RAM for use as a framebuffer area. It is sometimes but not always denoted.
****7S: Some "Super FX2" games contain 512Kb of RAM for use as a framebuffer area. It is sometimes but not always denoted.
Code 3
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01: PCB version
02: PCB version
03: PCB version
04: PCB version
05: PCB version
06: PCB version
10: PCB version
11: PCB version
12: PCB version
13: PCB version
20: PCB version
21: PCB version
30: PCB version
Code 4 (Only on "EA," "MAXI," and "WEI" PCBs.)
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1: ?
2: ?
Miscellaneous Codes
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BSMC-CR-**: "Broadcast Satellaview-X Media Cassette"-"CR"
GPC-RAMC-**: "Game Processor Cassette"-"RAM Cassette"
SGB-N-**: "Super Game Boy"-"N?"
SGB-R-**: "Super Game Boy"-"R?"
SHVC-MMS-**: "Multimedia Station"
SHVC-SGB2-**: "Super Game Boy 2"
Re: SNES PCB Codes \ Yakushi~Kabuto on 8th April 2007, 13:44 wrote:
I'm moving this to the main section because this is serious documentation.
Good job, I was planning a similar guide and I had figured out most codes, but had not really enough time to write it. I'm glad you started it and I will help you to finish it.
Add this for now:
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code1/
GPC: Game Processor Cassette
code2/
RAMC: RAM Cassette
MMS: Nintendo Power Cassette
code3/
S1: (???)
misc codes:
SGB-R-10: Super Game Boy
SGB-N-10: Super Game Boy
BSMC-CR-01: Data Cassette
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B***: 2 ROM chips (16Mb + 16Mb)Code: Select all
**7*: 512Kb SRAM and ?Code: Select all
***M: Battery and ?===============================================
Re: SNES PCB Codes \ FitzRoy on 8th April 2007, 15:38 wrote:
Thanks. Okay, a couple of questions now... what do you think MMS stands for? Also, I want to make sure you are certain that a 16Mb + 8Mb exists. I always thought they had to be equal sized chips with unused space for 12Mb, 24Mb, and 48Mb sized games.
EDIT: For ***M, lots of standard games have this code.
ACME Animation Factory (E)
Final Fantasy III (U)
etc.
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ Yakushi~Kabuto on 8th April 2007, 16:22 wrote:
I have no idea, but if someone can translate this (????) maybe the answer is there.what do you think MMS stands for?
As I said before, Mother 2 (J) PCB is an example.Also, I want to make sure you are certain that a 16Mb + 8Mb exists. I always thought they had to be equal sized chips with unused space for 12Mb, 24Mb, and 48Mb sized games.
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ FitzRoy on 8th April 2007, 16:30 wrote:
Oh, all right. I take it you have that game, because I don't see it on the wiki yet.
Do you have "Daisenryaku Expert WWII: War in Europe?" That game has 1024Kb SRAM and its PCB is undocumented. Would be interesting to verify my **9* guess.
Also, I think I figured out why some Super FX games are listed as 0N5S at the end, so I'm going to document that now. The SRAM isn't used for saving, thus it has no battery and "0N." But there is 256Kb of SRAM used as a framebuffer area for the Super FX chip. For whatever reason, some games chose not to list this on the PCB, thus my confusion. Example:
Star Fox (U): SHVC-1C0N-01
Star Fox (J): SHVC-1C0N5S-01
Why they didn't just say "5N" is beyond me.
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ Yakushi~Kabuto on 8th April 2007, 17:32 wrote:
Unfortunately, I don't have Daisenryaku Expert WWII: War in Europe.
Or maybe in one of my +500 unchecked carts.
Will add Mother 2 (J) to the wiki later.
My Star Fox PCB only has [SHVC-1C0N] printed, no -01. Or Maybe it is the small "01" above [SHVC-1C0N]...
It's not 512Kb or 1024Kb**7*: 512Kb or 1024Kb SRAM?
It's 512K / 1M SRAM. This is what is printed in the PCB, I don't know the meaning tho.
Fritz, what scan database did you use for your research?
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ FitzRoy on 8th April 2007, 20:16 wrote:
Yep, just in a different place.My Star Fox PCB only has [SHVC-1C0N] printed, no -01. Or Maybe it is the small "01" above [SHVC-1C0N]...
Yes, too cryptic. And as I run through the known 7B/7M games, I see both 512Kb and 1024Kb being listed. I remember most of these names in the bsnes thread when byuu had to add special memory mappers for them. My theory at the moment is that the SRAM in these games served a dual purpose. One part may have been allocated for saving games, and the other could have been used like a temp storage area.It's not 512Kb or 1024Kb
It's 512K / 1M SRAM. This is what is printed in the PCB, I don't know the meaning tho.
Super Sleuth and my own documentation. I'm halfway done dumping the 200 or so games I have on hand. I won't be scanning anything unless you can convince me otherwise.Fritz, what scan database did you use for your research?
By the way, I've determined that ***B and ***M has nothing to do with the data itself. I've just dumped two Ken Griffey Baseballs and one has M and one has B. Battery type? lol. Who knows.
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ RENI on 8th April 2007, 23:37 wrote:
mmm....????=Multimedia Station?
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ FitzRoy on 9th April 2007, 02:24 wrote:
Well, for one thing, I don't have a scanner so I'd have to buy one. That's not really the main issue though. The biggest beef I have with doing it is that it's ridiculously time consuming and somewhat unnecessary. I can easily document the Serials/PCB codes in a small TXT file. I check and double check my transcriptions. Trust shouldn't be an issue, either, because proof as a data verifier should encompass PCB reports as well. I also have issues with wikis:
-They're much slower than a TXT list for quick or comparitive referencing.
-If they get compromised or go down, you lose a shitload of work and data which will not be easy to retrieve.
-They contain, IMO, superfluous information, like languages, cart scans, and rom info that can always be scanned from the roms themselves.
Anyway, I think I figured out the M/B thing, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. It's got something to do with the small memory decoder chip next to SRAM chips on games that have SRAM.
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ Sir VG on 9th April 2007, 04:44 wrote:
I've got a scanner and can crack open some of my SNES/SFC carts. I've planning on scanning them at some point anyways, but if it'll help in your research, I'll try to get it sooner.
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ Yakushi~Kabuto on 9th April 2007, 10:42 wrote:
I highly recommend you a HP, they are the best for scanning non flat objects. My previous lexmark has been doing shitty scan of PCBs.Well, for one thing, I don't have a scanner so I'd have to buy one.
It's not that much time consuming if you are well organized. You have only a few dozens of carts, and I could scan up to 100 carts+PCB within a couple of hour with proper organization. And you don't have to scan all at once, you can do it slowly but safely thro weeks and monthes. I still have over 500 carts to scans and I am not in a hurry. I know I will scan them but I will do it when I can, in one month or in one year, it doesn't matter as long as it is done.The biggest beef I have with doing it is that it's ridiculously time consuming and somewhat unnecessary.
The scans serve as evidence of what you could write in your text files, that is prone to errors. What do you think History will remember? Your txt file or scans of the real deal.
It has been replied by Reni, it stands for Multi Media Station.SHVC-MMS-**: "M? M? S?" (Nintendo Power Cassette)
Thank you Sir VG, we know we can count on you.I've got a scanner and can crack open some of my SNES/SFC carts. I've planning on scanning them at some point anyways, but if it'll help in your research, I'll try to get it sooner.
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ FitzRoy on 13th April 2007, 02:34 wrote:
What did I already say? I transcribe the code directly to a txt file to avoid handwriting transcription errors. Then double check the code AGAIN on the pcb. Then AGAIN on the txt. Then AGAIN on the PCB, then AGAIN on the txt. The only way this results in an error is if you're blind.The scans serve as evidence of what you could write in your text files, that is prone to errors. What do you think History will remember? Your txt file or scans of the real deal.
And as for evidence, I can provide you a couple of camera pics of whatever you want on my list when I post it. Anybody can doctor a scan code or lie about verifying a game that's already been dumped. Trust has more to do with how long you've been around the scene, other contributions, how your data matches up with others, etc. And let's not forget how many variant PCBs per game we might be facing. There could be as many as 5 different legitimate PCB codes PER SNES GAME. Different memory decoders, different board revisions, 1 ROM chip vs 2 ROM chips. So good luck documenting and storing 10000000 jpgs on an offsite location.
Automerged Doublepost.
Y~K: Can you post a scan of Super Mario Kart (J) or Final Stretch (J)?
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ FitzRoy on 8th April 2007, 20:16 wrote:
You request scans after stating scans are useless? You're a weird one.Y~K: Can you post a scan of Super Mario Kart (J) or Final Stretch (J)?
RAM cassettes don't have SHVC, but GPC for code1.SHVC-RAMC-**: "RAM Cassette"
RAM cassettes are game processor cassettes.
The one I've seen is GPC-RAMC-S1
I also have a rare (maybe unique?) cart with **9* and it stands for an AMD FLASH EPROM. It also has ***F. I don't know what it stands for.
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Re: SNES PCB Codes \ FitzRoy on 15th April 2007, 18:27 wrote:
They're not useless as far as trying to figure out rare codes, but these comprise a small fraction of games. It's just that you give ambiguous info sometimes for this list, so I request a scan rather than a transcription. Like saying you have a ***F code but not saying what game it comes from or what memory address decoder chip it uses. Or saying AMD Flash EPROM without giving that info as well. We don't need full documentation because it's impossible. The possibly existing full codes for "Drakkhen (U)" for example, are:You request scans after stating scans are useless? You're a weird one.
SHVC-1A3B-01
SHVC-1A3B-02
SHVC-1A3B-03
SHVC-1A3B-04
SHVC-1A3B-05
SHVC-1A3B-06
SHVC-1A3B-10
SHVC-1A3B-11
SHVC-1A3B-12
SHVC-1A3B-13
SHVC-1A3B-20
SHVC-1A3B-21
SHVC-1A3B-30
SHVC-1A3M-01
SHVC-1A3M-02
SHVC-1A3M-03
SHVC-1A3M-04
SHVC-1A3M-05
SHVC-1A3M-06
SHVC-1A3M-10
SHVC-1A3M-11
SHVC-1A3M-12
SHVC-1A3M-13
SHVC-1A3M-20
SHVC-1A3M-21
SHVC-1A3M-30
MAXI-YA3B-01
MAXI-YA3B-02
MAXI-YA3B-03
MAXI-YA3B-04
MAXI-YA3B-05
MAXI-YA3B-06
MAXI-YA3B-10
MAXI-YA3B-11
MAXI-YA3B-12
MAXI-YA3B-13
MAXI-YA3B-20
MAXI-YA3B-21
MAXI-YA3B-30
MAXI-YA3M-01
MAXI-YA3M-02
MAXI-YA3M-03
MAXI-YA3M-04
MAXI-YA3M-05
MAXI-YA3M-06
MAXI-YA3M-10
MAXI-YA3M-11
MAXI-YA3M-12
MAXI-YA3M-13
MAXI-YA3M-20
MAXI-YA3M-21
MAXI-YA3M-30
I hate to have to print it out like that, but this is what you're trying to document. True, only maybe 5 of these were actually produced. But it could be any 5 and the only way to even come close to guessing which would be to purchase 100 carts of each game. Are you getting what I'm trying to say here? You'd be wasting your time documenting every game's pcb serial as though it were unique. The codes, once they're figured out, will allow us a much broader understanding of each game's legitimate possibilities, and that's as good as you're going to get with this.
