aje_fr CPS-1 Multi v2.2b and v3: Comparison, Differences and Testing

[djsheep]

I spent a good 8 hours yesterday thoroughly testing two versions of the @aje_fr CPS-1 Multi. Version 2.2b is off to @Frank_fjs and I'll keep v3. Thanks to @Bonky and @neoretro75 for getting these to me.

Here are the findings of my testing:

HARDWARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN v2.2b and v3
B-21 Chip Embedded on v3, no need for C-Board
Pin to connect to A-Board reset point on v3, no need for soldering
Menu option to use Spinner or Buttons 4/5 for all versions of Forgotten Worlds
Connector to A-Board is *NOT* keyed on v3, but keyed on v2.2b

v3 NEW GAME:
Pokoyan Balloon! Japan 940322

v3 NEW REVISIONS ADDED:
Capcom Adventure QuizCapcom Japan 920611 B-Board 91634B-2 }
Capcom Final Fight USA 900424
Capcom Final Fight Japan 900405
Capcom Forgotten Worlds World -newer
Capcom Forgotten Worlds USA B-Board 88621B-2 Rev. E
Capcom The King of Dragons World 910731
Capcom Strider USA B-Board 89624B-3-buggy Street Fighter II conversion
Capcom Willow World
Capcom Street Fighter II The World Warrior World 910129
Capcom Street Fighter II The World Warrior Japan 911210 (CPS B-13)
Capcom Street Fighter II The World Warrior Japan 911210 (CPS B-17)
bootleg Street Fighter II The World Warrior Thunder Edition bootleg set1
bootleg Street Fighter II The World Warrior Thunder Edition bootleg set2
bootleg Street Fighter II The World Warrior Quicken bootleg
Capcom Street Fighter II' Champion Edition Taiwan 920313
Capcom Street Fighter II' Champion Edition Taiwan Bootleg with PAL
bootleg Street Fighter II' Champion Edition Accelerator! Pt. II bootleg
bootleg Street Fighter II' Champion Edition Donafang Bubai Protection boot
Capcom Varth Operation Thundersto Japan Resale Version 920714

v3 NEW REVISIONS: NOT WORKING:
Capcom Carrier Air Wing World 901130 (Black Screen)
Capcom Knights of the Round bootleg world 911127 (Corrupt Gameplay)
bootleg Street Fighter II' Champion Edition Alpha Magic-F bootleg (not working)
Tenchi wo Kurau II CPS Changer Japan 921031 (no audio)

v3 INTERMITTENT BUGS, WORKING FINE ON v2.2b:
Capcom Magic Sword Heroic Fantasy World (sometimes loads with no music)
Capcom Mega Man The Power Battle CPS1 Asia 951006 (audio cuts out when battling Iceman playing as Blast)

LISTED ON OFFICIAL GAME LIST BUT MISSING ON BOTH MULTIS:
bootleg Street Fighter II The World Warrior TAB Austria bootleg set 1
bootleg Street Fighter II The World Warrior TAB Austria bootleg set 3
bootleg Street Fighter II The World Warrior TAB Austria bootleg set 4
bootleg Street Fighter II The World Warrior TAB Austria bootleg set 2
bootleg Street Fighter II The World Warrior RK bootleg

GAMES WITH ISSUES:
1941 - Music is a mess and cuts out after Level 4

Hope this somehow helps someone. Quite frustrating the issues with 1941 were not fixed between revisions, there's been new stuff added that doesn't work and the sound issues with Magic Sword and Mega Man. In saying all that, the multi is beautiful stuff and I really love it regardless.

 

[Frank_fjs]

Received the V2.2b board, thanks @djsheep!

I definitely enjoy it and appreciate it, but there's room for improvement (which is good news for the upcoming DS multi).

It does what it needs to do, and for the most part does it extremely well. I like that it's compatible with any C board. I LOVE the instant loading of games. Aside from a few glitches mentioned in the opening post it performs flawlessly.

I really dislike the menu system though. The menu is slow, buttons unresponsive, the bitmap artwork had zero effort put into it, he merely downloaded images off the net and didn't properly convert to XBMP format.

It's a shame as with a little bit of polish this would be a perfect product, he seems to have dropped the ball on the little one percenters.

I think the DS multi will have the advantage of loading any game without glitches / errors as products made here are supported and updated as needed.
The LCD will be better than the French multi as although I love OLED screens he hasn't written good code for a smooth menu experience.
I think that instant loading will be missed when I get my DS multi but who knows, maybe CPS1 will load faster than CPS2?