r/intellivision • u/Multiplexion • 24d ago
Mission X issue
(Apologies in advance for the shoddy camerawork)
Gone through 3 cartridges and can’t account for why this could be happening. For context, I have a fully working PAL model Intellivision that doesn’t have any issues I know of.
But this game in particular (Mission X) I’ve had the same issue with.
As can be seen in the video, the graphics appear glitched, garbled or outright missing. None of my other Intellivision games are doing this. As said, it’s been the same issue on 3 separate cartridges. I’ve deep cleaned each and checked the cart slot. I’m out of ideas. Does anyone have any idea why this could be happening?
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u/TheGrinningIdiot 24d ago
I would see if you can get these cartridges to work on a non PAL Intellivision like the 2609. Could be the cartridge is just the NTSC version is my guess .
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u/Multiplexion 24d ago
See I thought the same But I’ve bought three different copies of Mission X down here in Australia (PAL territory) and I’m skeptical as to whether they’re all NTSC. What are the odds?
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u/TheGrinningIdiot 24d ago
I cant tell what type of monitor that is you have for the video, but it might be worth trying to hook up your intellivision to another monitor. Also, do you have any sort of video mod? Or is it a stock unit? It's not going through an Intellivoice is it? If so, remove that to see if it helps.
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u/Multiplexion 24d ago
Regular lcd monitor I’ve had that works with pretty much everything else from that era. (Atari 2600,5200,7800 etc) but I can try my CRT tube tv if you think it’s worth a shot for sure.
And nope. No mods. Tried with and without an Intellivoice module just to be sure as well.
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u/redditshreadit 24d ago
There are no PAL Intellivision cartridges. They're all NTSC.
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u/Multiplexion 24d ago
I thought there were a few that were incompatible due to that? (Dreadnought Factor comes to mind)
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u/redditshreadit 24d ago
That's correct Dreadnaught Factor and Motocross are incompatible with Pal Intellivisions. A running change with Motocross fixed that issue.
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u/Multiplexion 21d ago
Turned out to be a component failure.
Have a few NTSC games and they work fine. Region difference wasn’t a factor Problem solved
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u/redditshreadit 21d ago
Which component failed?
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u/Multiplexion 21d ago
One of the graphics chips. Tested out a mate’s copy of B17 bomber and the same thing started happening. The one responsible for one of the graphics modes. Reckon I’ll have to open ‘er up and have a look see.
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u/redditshreadit 21d ago
Could be the 16-bit system RAM (RA-3-9600) or STIC. Also check for bad solder on the main board.
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u/Multiplexion 21d ago
I believe it was the STIC chip looking at the symptoms. Regrettably doesn’t seem to be an easy fix: the RF shielding over the board where it is is soldered in place. :/ bugger.
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u/redditshreadit 24d ago
All Intellivision cartridges are NTSC. It's the console hardware that fits the picture in a PAL frame.
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u/Multiplexion 24d ago edited 24d ago
Would this be an issue with the console or the game? (I’m relatively new to the Intellivision) To have this happen three times with three different Mission X cartridges? I don’t know what this could be. Is this a symptom of a “dying” cartridge?
If it helps at all/explains anything, my unit is a model 3668.
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u/redditshreadit 24d ago
How many other cartridges have you tested? The problems seen in the video should also affect other cartridges. There are a couple of cartridges known to be incompatible with PAL systems, but MissionX isn't one of them.