Cart Versions
8 years ago
Ontario, Canada

Been doing some research on the different versions that are out there for this game. Reading various posts I've found via Google, it does seem like there were 3 versions:

1.0 = no letter stamped on back label, just 2 digits 1.1 = 'A' stamped on back label after 2 digits (a.k.a. "Revision A") 1.2 = 'B' stamped on back label after 2 digits (a.k.a. "Revision B")

The 'A' and 'B' lettering does correspond to what Nintendo did with other games on not just the SNES, but the N64 too and probably other systems.

But what interests me is that I've read on a bunch of places that the 1.1 / Revision A is either exceedingly rare or was just not released, as it seems people can find 1.0 and 1.2 carts easily enough, but never a 1.1.

Can anyone who has a 1.1 cart actually confirm that there is a letter 'A' stamped on the back label and not a letter 'B'. LowKeeee actually would probably be best to check this since he has most of the best run times at the moment. Alternatively, if you have a gamebit you can open up the cart and take some photos of the PCB to 100% confirm which revision it is (if you are able to do this, this page has more info on how to tell what version is what from the PCB http://www.snescentral.com/pcbboards.php?chip=SHVC-1C0N ).

Anyway, the whole reason I'm bothering to post this is just that I've been looking around to find a 1.1/1.2 cart and wanted to check on this info first as either there's been some confusion (here or maybe it's just me, heh) or people on the various random forum posts I've found on Google are not that knowledgeable (which would not surprise me, lol).

Pennsylvania, USA

Very interesting, makes you wonder what's been changed in 1.2, or if the current runs only use 1.2 and not 1.1

Ontario, Canada

My guess is that all 1.1 runs so far are 1.2. But we'll soon see!

California, USA

I can confirm that a v1.1 cart is actually not that rare, for me, I believe Harvtronix and BroDudeMan all have one. They are identified by having a big horizontal indent on the front. In the stickied thread I made a Googledoc on how to distinguish them if this helps. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Wk6dSTthMP-4m-8KUcHfOsL4brf_TOQ7NnszRzin6k/edit)

1.2 seems to be similiar to v1.1 with the reduced amount of enemies in Venom Orbit and Asteroid Belt, and better overall performance than the original v1.0. I know Skybilz has a v1.2 cart, and those are rarer I think.

EDIT: Also, my v1.1 cartridge have 2 numbers and the letter "A" on the back, just so you know.

Ontario, Canada

Interesting. At the very least should update the doc to include info about the 1.1 and 1.2 differences (how to tell them apart). And we should probably update the run submission so you can choose 1.2, though maybe not really necessary I guess as far as time differences go.

Also, just FYI the big indent on the front does not signify a v1.1 or v1.2 cart. My v1.0 cart has that same big indent.

California, USA

Yeah, I will update that when I get home today along with adding v1.2 as an option since I know of one person who owns a copy. Oh really??? Well shit, I thought that was a clear indicator. So your cartridge just has 2 numbers on the back and no letter?

Ontario, Canada

Yeah, sorry just took a second look at the photo I linked and I guess I kind of took it at a crappy angle as you can't see the letters, lol. On the back there is only 2 digits, no letter. And the "LR0G1801" on the top-left of the PCB also indicates v1.0. I believe my dad bought us this brand new in late 1993 / early 1994, so the front/back cart shell wasn't swapped with a different game or anything like that.

EDIT: At any rate, ordered a v1.2 cart off eBay (letter 'B' stamped on the back).

San José, CA, USA

So my cart is stamped "11B" on the back, which, from the looks of it, makes it a 1.2 cart.

http://i.imgur.com/O4hve3n.jpg

LowKeeee likes this
California, USA

Damn, well that's interesting... Gotta be on the lookout for that then for anyone who wants to buy one. I really thought that was the main indicator. I gotta get myself a v1.2 cart so I can do some testing lol.

Ontario, Canada

Yeah I'm definitely interested in what (if any) differences there are between v1.1 and v1.2. I suspect it's nothing significant, but still would be interesting to see someone who owns both spend some time doing runs with both carts and seeing if they notice any speed differences.

Purely anecdotal I know, but definitely seems like v1.2 is more common based on eBay listings (have yet to see any v1.1's, but have seen several v1.2's). But who knows really, heh.

EDIT: I suppose it's also quite possible that there are no gameplay differences between 1.1 and 1.2 either. Could be that Nintendo changed the PCB layout or something else manufacturing related, but the game code remained unchanged.

California, USA

Yeah, that could be possible that it really doesn't have any changes... Skybilz (another Starfox runner) said she didn't see any immediate differences but to be fair she hasn't tested it too much.