SUPER 8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Version 0.12 by Send additions/cartridges/comments/cash/corrections/suggestions/technical info to: No Copyright (c) for this document. Please remove my e-mail address from any modified reproductions. Distribute as needed. The data contained herein is provided for information purposes only. No warranty is made with regards to the accuracy of this information. It's full of inaccurate and possibley even false data. I won't be held responsible for any bonehead ideas you get from this FAQ Contributors for v0.12: ----------------------- Zerothis FM2000 ----------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- FOREWARD by 1.0) Quick Info 1.1 -- SNES/NES button equivalents 1.2 -- Buying A Super 8 1.3 -- Instructions 2.0) Thoughts about the Super 8 2.1 -- The Super 8 has its own RF out 2.2 -- The Super 8 uses the same A/V cable as the SNES 2.3 -- The Super 8 gets its power from the SNES 2.4 -- Nothing 2.5 -- The NES Zapper is not supported* 2.6 -- NES Multi-player options are not supported* 2.7 -- *A thought about controller campatibility 3.0) Super Game Boy Problems 3.1 -- Games are slow** 3.2 -- Sounds are slow** 3.3 -- **Do you WANT to play slower? 3.4 -- Games that work a little bit 3.5 -- Games that don't work at all 4.0) SNES games that have problems 4.1 -- I'm Stupid 4.2 -- Super FX games 4.3 -- Super FX2 games 4.4 -- DSP-chip games 4.5 -- C4-Chip games 4.6 -- Super Scope games 4.7 -- Multi-Tap games 5.0) NES games that have problems 5.1 -- Good News 5.2 -- Tested list 5.3 -- Unlicensed tested list 6.0) Other accessory problems 6.1 -- Galoob's Game Genie for NES 6.2 -- Galoob's Game Genie for SNES 6.3 -- Game Wizzard 7.0) Are you tierd of seeing all over this FAQ? 7.1 -- Then send me information FOREWARD ======== BY The Super 8 is a device that plugs into your Super NES allowing you to play regular Nintendo and Famicom carts. I know vary little about the internal workings of the Super 8, the NES and the SNES. And this FAQ probably shows it. So if you can correct anything that's incomplete or wromg, let me know. I compiled this FAQ because there's very little information about the Super 8 on the web. Many peole think it is just a rumor and doesn't exist. I've got a mid-sized truck and everything I need to play video games in it. A separate SNES and NES needs 2 SNES controllers, 2 NES controllers, 1 A/V cable for NES, 1 Stereo A/V cable/adaptor for SNES, a power adaptor for SNES and a power adaptor for NES. But a Super 8 and SNES together take up less space and I only need 2 SNES controllers, 1 SNES Stereo A/V cable and 1 power adaptor. 3 good things here: More space in my mid-sized truck Less wires causing less tangles and taking less space at the AC outlet. The SNES A/V cable works with the Super 8 for higher quality NES picture than RF. These three things are appreciated when I'm in my game room at home also. 1.0) QUICK INFO ================ 1.1 -- SNES/NES BUTTON EQUIVALENTS ---------------------------------- SNES (B) = NES (A) SNES (Y) = NES (B) SNES (A) = No NES Function SNES (X) = No NES Function SNES (L) = No NES Function SNES (R) = No NES Function SNES (Start) = NES (Start) SNES (Select) = NES (Select) SNES (Pad) = NES (Pad) 1.2 -- BUYING A SUPER 8 ----------------------- Good Luck. I got mine from a flea market. I don't know what the MSRP for the Super 8 was. It's copyrighted by Innovation (c)1995. The Super 8 may have went by the name TRI-STAR once. Try flea markes, pawn shops, thrift and garage sales; this is were all the BEST stuff is. Thank you FM2000 for asking your questions. 1.3 -- INSTRUCTIONS ------------------- My Super 8 didn't come with any instructions (see section 1.2), So here's a how-to guide. 1. Plug the Super 8 into your Super NES. 2. Plug the 'jumper' from the Super 8 into the SNES Multi Out. (If you want to use RF see section 2.1) 3. For Famicom and NES games, just plug one in. 4. For SNES just plug one in. (if you can't deside between SNES and NES just plug them both in.) 5. Turn the SNES power on. 6. A menu pops up, choose 16-bit for SNES and 8-bit for NES or Famicom 7. Hitting reset will restart the game you are playing, to switch games you must turn the SNES power off. 2.0) THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SUPER 8 ================================ 2.1 -- THE SUPER 8 HAS ITS OWN RF OUT ------------------------------------- The Super 8 has its own RF out for SNES and NES but signal quality is low. The NES RF signal doesn't output throuh the SNES RF. If you insist on using the RF instead of the SNES A/V cable, there is a varaity of ways for adapting 2 RF signals to one destination. And there's plenty of room inside the Super 8 for adding componets. Don't plug in the Super 8 and the SNES at the same time unless you want a really bad picture, You'll need to switch from one to the other either electronically or manually. 2.2 -- THE SUPER 8 USES THE SAME A/V CABLE AS THE SNES ------------------------------------------------------ The Super 8 has a jumper to plug into the SNES A/V out and the SNES A/V cable plugs into the Super 8's own A/V out. The NES audio is passed to both speakers and SNES stereo is preserved. The SNES S-Video cable doesn't show a picture when pluged into the Super 8's A/V out. I don't know about RGB or any other type of signal that the SNES produces. I doubt the Super 8 supports them anyway. Perhaps someone could figure out how to pass SNES S-video through the Super 8, but I don't think the NES is S-video capable. So even if you had an SNES cable/adaptor with Stereo A/V and Stereo S-video both (6 plugs at the TV), you'd still have to switch your TV to standard video mode when playing NES games. If you have a TV that shares both Stereo A/V and S-video as one auxillary connection, and an SNES cable/adaptor with both, then an you might want to investigate an S-video pass through for the Super 8. Maybe someone who knows more about electronics could tell me? 2.3 -- THE SUPER 8 GETS ITS POWER FROM THE SNES ----------------------------------------------- One less plug at the outlet, one less wire to tangle. 2.4 -- NOTHING -------------- 2.5 -- THE NES ZAPPER IS NOT SUPPORTED* -------------------------------------- The SNES Super Scope does not work for NES Zapper games. Maybe an adaptor to plug the NES Zapper into the SNES could be rigged. I'm told that the SNES Super Scope works the same way as the NES Zapper, only the Super Scope sends its data an infared receiver instead of a direct cable. But a lot of things might prevent the light guns from being used with NES Zapper games. Are the wires switched at the plug or is there internal SNES hardware that's somehow different from the NES hardware that handles input from the light gun. If the SNES lacks the proper hardware, does the Super 8 have it? Maybe someone who knows more about electronics could tell me? 2.6 -- NES MULTI-PLAYER OPTIONS ARE NOT SUPPORTED* ------------------------------------------------- The SNES Multi-Tap does not work for NES Four Score games. On the NES, 3rd player controls are accessed via port 1 and 4th player controls are accessed via port 2. But on the SNES all extra players are accessed through port 2. Since the Super 8 maps (A) as (B) and (B) as (Y), there could be two things working against four player NES games. SNES controls work differnt and doesn't allow for the 3rd and 4th players, the Super 8 remaps the control and doesn't consider the 3rd or 4th players. Maybe someone who knows more about electronics could tell me? 2.7 -- *A THOUGHT ABOUT CONTROLLER COMPATIBILITY ----------------------------------------------- Perhaps an adaptor with five SNES controller ports and four NES controller ports could be used in conjucture with a Pro Action Replay or some other RAM+ROM changer to allow complete SNES and NES controller compatibility. Maybe someone who knows more about electronics could tell me? 3.0) SUPER GAME BOY PROBLEMS ============================= 3.1 -- GAMES ARE SLOW** --------------------- Game Boy games are slowed severly when the Super Game Boy is used with the Super 8. I estimate that games are 64% slower. 3.2 -- SOUNDS ARE SLOW** ---------------------- Sounds are slowed and can't be recognized. When Gauntlet II for Game Boy says "Welcome Warrior", it is supposed to take about 1.5 seconds, but it takes 6 seconds with the Super 8. And, it sounds like crickets. 3.3 -- **DO YOU WANT TO PLAY SLOWER? ----------------------------------- If you WANT to slow down a GB game, the Super 8 is better than any 'slow motion' you get from a controller. Sometimes you'll have to hold down the buttons longer. And, you might want to mute your TV. 3.4 -- GAMES THAT WORK A LITTLE BIT ----------------------------------- Space Invades, The Arcade mode works on Super 8. Donkey Kong, Pauline says, "Help, Help!", as clear as a bell, with no distortion. If anybody finds any other games, let me know. 3.5 -- GAMES THAT DON'T WORK AT ALL ----------------------------------- If anybody finds any let me know. 4.0) SNES GAMES THAT HAVE PROBLEMS =================================== 4.1 -- I'M STUPID ----------------- ***Warning Starts Here*** This section is just for people that are stupid. If your unsure if your stupid or not, check to see if your wearing a sign that says, "I'm Stupid". However, just because you don't have a sign doesn't mean your not stupid, you may want to read this section anyway just to be safe. ***End of Warning*** If you plug a Super NES game in to the Super 8 and it doesn't work, then check to make sure you plugged the Super 8 into the SNES. If it still doesn't work, then you've wasted sixty bucks on a SNES game that is imcompatable with the Super 8. Sorry dude. If you still have the receipt for your SNES game you might try returning it to where in was purchased. Don't forget to take your sign with you when you return the game. By the way, You are not allowed to comment to me, ask me questions or complain about this section of the FAQ. Unless...Your wearing your sign. 4.2 -- SUPER FX GAMES --------------------- Star Fox has no picture Vortex unknown assuming no picture like Star Fox Doom unknown assuming no picture like Star Fox Dirt Trax FX unknown assuming no picture like Star Fox Somebody let me know ok? 4.3 -- SUPER FX2 GAMES ---------------------- Stunt Race unknown assuming no picture like Star Fox Somebody let me know, ok? 4.4 -- DSP-CHIP GAMES ---------------------- Ace wo Nerae! unknown Assuming works fine like Mario Kart Armored Trooper Votoms unknown Assuming works fine like Mario Kart Ballz unknown Assuming works fine like Mario Kart PilotWings unknown Assuming works fine like Mario Kart Super Air Diver unknown Assuming works fine like Mario Kart Dungeon Master, unknown Assuming works fine like Mario Kart F-1 Roc 2 unknown Assuming works fine like Mario Kart Yoshi's Island unknown Assuming works fine like Mario Kart Super Mario Kart Works fine Somebody let me know, ok? 4.5 -- C4-CHIP GAMES -------------------- Megaman X2 unknown Megaman X3 unknown Somebody let me know, ok? 4.6 -- Super Scope Games ------------------------ Super Scope 6 Works fine Battle Clash Works fine Yoshi's Safari Works fine Battle Clash 2 Assuming works fine Bazooka Blitzkreig Assuming works fine Terminator 2: The Arcade Game Assuming works fine X-Zone Assuming works fine Somebody let me know, ok? 4.7 -- MULTI-TAP GAMES ---------------------- Super Bomberman Assuming works fine Super Bomberman 2 Works fine Secret of Mana Assuming works fine Top Gear 3000 Assuming works fine There is a lot of Multi-Tap sports games out there. I'm assuming they all work with the Super 8. Somebody let me know, ok? 4.8 -- UNLICENSED GAMES ----------------------- Super Noah's Ark Works fine 5.0) NES GAMES THAT HAVE PROBLEMS =================================== 5.1 -- GOOD NEWS SO FAR ----------------------- I've yet to find any NES game that doesn't work with Super 8. But there are a few bugs here and there that can be easily bypassed. There are 600+ games and I guess, well, more than triple that if you count Famicom, European, Japanese, Austrailian, Latin American, Unlicenced and alternate versions. I'm sure at least one doesn't function with the Super 8. If you find any carts that don't work, let me know. The Immortal from Electronic Arts Sometimes the RF signal has a severly distorted picture. A/V signal is dim but not distorted. 5.2 -- TESTED LIST ------------------ I've tested 118 carts and they all worked. Please check it my list and add to it. I've only list a seleceted few here: MMC3-chip games Super Mario Bros. 3 Since it works fine, I'm assuming all MMC3-chip games work on the Super 8. 5.3 -- UNLICENSED TESTED LIST ----------------------------- The following is a list of unlicensed NES carts I've tested with Super 8. If you have an unlicensed cart that's not on my list then I want it. Or at least tell me how it works on a Super 8. Test both A/B switch positions on Camerica carts, and test with RF and A/V cable hookups. And, let me know the results. Unlicensed From Tengen: Works Fine: Vindicators Toobin' Super Sprint Skull & Crossbones Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Shinobi Rolling Thunder Road Runner RBI Baseball 2 RBI Baseball 3 Pac-Mania Pac-Man Klax Gauntlet Alien Syndrome After Burner Fantasy Zone Has Problems: RBI Baseball The Title screen sometimes pops up without panning from the right. Hit reset to see the panning title screen. From Color Dreams: Works fine: Operation Secret Storm Master Chu and the Drunkard Hu Silent Assult Robodemons Galactic Crusader Captian Comic Crystal Mines Has problems: Baby Boomer works fine with controller 1. P'RADiKUS CONFLICT Has a scrambled title screen. To see it, start the game then press reset. It works fine other than that. From American Video Entertainment: Works fine: Impossible Mission II Dudes with Attitude Trolls on treasure Island Venice Beach Volleyball Has Problems: Deathbots Sometimes the entire intro is skiped and the game just starts. Hit reset to see the intro. From SEI Entertainment? This cart says for play on the SEI Entertainment System and works fine with Super 8 Impossible Mission II From Wisdom Tree: Works Fine: King of Kings v3.1 Has problems: Joshua v6.0 Starts out with a screen of jibberish, but it loads fine after that. Camerica/Code Masters Works Fine: Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy Has Problems: Quartro Sports Works in A mode but not B mode Big Nose The Cave Man Has RF problems in A and B modes. But the A/V signal is fine. From American Game Cartridges INC: Works Fine: Shockwave 6.0) OTHER ACCESSORY PROBLEMS ============================== 6.1 -- GALOOB'S GAME GENIE FOR NES ---------------------------------- They still work, even if you piggy-back them. Classic NES cheating lives! It should be noted both my Genies are the newer gold case editions. Anybody tested an older one? 6.2 -- GALOOB'S GAME GENIE FOR SNES ----------------------------------- With the SNES Game Genie, you wiil get to put in codes but the the game won't start. Bummer. If you put the Game Genie in the SNES and the plug the Super 8 on top of the Game Genie, the Super 8 screen does not come up and you go straight to the SNES game. If you are concerned greatly that your Game Genie has been rendered useless, then read section 4.1 of this FAQ. 6.3 -- GAME WIZZARD ------------------- (The Game Wizzard is simular to the Pro Action Replay and the codes are interchangable) Works Great! Just plug it into the SNES slot on your Super 8. But since it sicks out in back, you'll have to take out your NES cart. No, you can't use the Game Wizzard on your classic NES games. If you plug the Super 8 into the Game Wizzard you'll bypass the Super 8's Menu, therefore you can't choose to play NES games. Maybe if you put in a Game Wizzard code, you could? 7.0) ARE YOU TIERD OF SEEING ALL OVER THIS FAQ? ======================================================================= 7.1 -- THEN SEND ME INFORMATION ------------------------------- As I get enough info for a section I'll remove my email address.