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Did Capcom ever convert or reused shells for games?

pixelvsprintdot

pixelvsprintdot

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Hi everyone, first time posting here!

So I have a question, did CAPCOM ever convert or reused shells for games?

Here is my dilemma

I bought this US Darkstalkers B board from a chap on the electronic bay. He says he thinks it’s a legit board.

But when I got it, it looked off. I can tell the game label is probably real (not a reproduction based on the print dot pattern I can see under magnification) but is on top of 2 other game labels.

The shell also has those cool guy Capcom security stickers. But when I peel them back I’m not sure this is the way they should react. I thought they leave more of a trace behind.

The board looks real but also I’m no expert

What do you folks think?

Am I dealing with a fake ?, a Capcom replacement of some kind? , Did someone use a nicer shell for a board and is passing it off as real? Or even a total chip swap?

Thank you in advance

IMG_6170 2.jpgIMG_6194.jpgIMG_6195.jpgIMG_6249.jpgIMG_6250.jpgIMG_6252.jpg
 
If the security bolt had never been removed, one end of the bolt would have the Capcom C stamped in it (or is that only A boards?)

Anyway Capcom did convert their own boards, I had a legit CPS2 game with a 2nd label under. But 2 extra labels? Humm. Anyway, in a very quick glance the roms look legit so that's the main thing IMHO. Shell may or may not have been done by Capcom but I'd say the PCB is legit.
 
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ekorz said:
(Time to replace the battery. Or remove it entirely in favor of an infinikey or other key writing device!)
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Ohh yeah 100% , normally I take them out as soon as I get them but I wasn’t sure if I was guna send this back yet , but after all this great info I will keep it. I’m just eating for the keys to be back in stock
 
Yes, especially in the later years of the CPS2, it was common for Capcom to recycle stock of older games into a newer, popular game. I owned a Hispanic Marvel Super Heroes with an Eco Fighters label underneath it. This board also had Capcom EPROM labels with the Rom number and revision letter hand written on them. I'm trying to find a photo of it.

I think the South American distributors were the most notorious for official conversions, but I'm not sure to what extent Capcom Japan or USA did this.
 
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Snk did as well with their carts. Back then the QC was questionable and it was all about how much money they could make with what they already had. If the roms are original labels I'd say factory conversion. If they're newer, conversion for sure. Better tell tale imho
 
Kidkaos said:
Snk did as well with their carts. Back then the QC was questionable and it was all about how much money they could make with what they already had. If the roms are original labels I'd say factory conversion. If they're newer, conversion for sure. Better tell tale imho
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Ive seen Grey boards with handwritten labels even. I assume its factory because it was old and still running on a battery from back in the day.
 
So here is a question , is there a data base like we see for mvs that has photos of boards and what printed materials came with games and so on ? Also is there any use for the B board serial numbers today ? Like to check on a data base to see when or where the boards are from? Of is specific game used a set of specific numbers ?
 
pixelvsprintdot said:
So here is a question , is there a data base like we see for mvs that has photos of boards and what printed materials came with games and so on ? Also is there any use for the B board serial numbers today ? Like to check on a data base to see when or where the boards are from? Of is specific game used a set of specific numbers ?
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It's just all over the place with the factory conversions. Most of the ones I have seen have:
  • Label on the oustide chell stuck over the label of the original game
  • Factory MASK ROMs as if they have been sent a conversion kit
  • EPROMS either with original stickers, handwritten ones or none at all
  • Flux residue where jumpers have been changed
I've seen games like SFA2 -> MSH, SSF2:T -> SF:Zero, MSH -> SFZ3.

The SSF2:T one was a real shame :(
 
So this Darkstalkers board had those capcom security stickers on it until I opened it about 10 min before I made my post here. Does anyone know when capcom USA stoped sending out CPS2 boards? This one has a battery in it with a full charge … it couldn’t have lasted more then 10 years right ?
 
Nimmers said:
It's just all over the place with the factory conversions. Most of the ones I have seen have:
  • Label on the oustide chell stuck over the label of the original game
  • Factory MASK ROMs as if they have been sent a conversion kit
  • EPROMS either with original stickers, handwritten ones or none at all
  • Flux residue where jumpers have been changed
I've seen games like SFA2 -> MSH, SSF2:T -> SF:Zero, MSH -> SFZ3.

The SSF2:T one was a real shame :(
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Also speaking of SSF2T this is my board and it really threw me off because I can’t really find a good ref to compare to

EB66590D-7830-4C96-B896-379A3BAC78E8.jpeg
 
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