\--------------------------------------------------/
\ CAPCOM CPS3 System and Games FAQ /
> by Chris Mullins, copyright 1999 <
/ VERSION 1.2b e-mail:
[email protected] \
/ -------------------------------------------------\
If you want to see the updated version of this FAQ(and my other FAQs as well),
point your browser to the following address:
http://members.aol.com/CMull11217/private/index.htm
For best printing results, print using Landscape mode, on Econofast type setting.
BY THE WAY, THIS FAQ IS NOT ENDORSED BY CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION!!
Last Updated 11/17/99
TOTAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED: 13
Table of Contents
---------------------------
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
-General
-Upgradability
"Voltage Spike" issue
GAME LIST
-Complete CPS3 Game List
-Japanese only releases
-Japanese->U.S.A./Asian Name Conversion List
MARKETPLACE
-Price List for CPS3 Boards
-Retailers and Distributors of Capcom Equipment
OTHER
-Past Updates
-Coming Soon to my FAQ!
-Special Thanks
----------------------------
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
|-------------------|
| GENERAL Questions |
|-------------------|
----What are the specifications of the CPS3 Hardware?
I have the powerful specifications of the CPS3 Hardware, and the memory limits on
it(even though it was broken by Jojo's Venture in 1999), below:
Color per object: 256
Color Palette: 512
Total On-Screen Colors: 32768
Object Number: 1024(64x64)
Frame Count: 60 fps
Scroll Faces: 5
Maximum Capacity: 650 MB on a CD-ROM
Mind you, that these games look so much better than the CPS2 titles; the animation
is just superb, and the quality of the games are a long ways ahead of their time.
----What does the CPS3 system look like?
Imagine a steel encased motherboard(90% encased, some exposed), with a ROM Cartridge
hookup in the middle, and a steel tiedown area for the ROM cart to stay put in its place.
There are markings of whether it's U.S.A/Asian, or Japanese on it as well.
The hookups on the left side(left of the ROM), are the JAMMA, Extra Button(for the
kick buttons), and the Q-Sound jacks. To the right, are the hookups for the CD-ROM attachment.
The CD-ROM attachment is just a CD-ROM drive(drive-speed unknown), with the game CD
in it, ALL THE TIME. It is not meant to be taken out, except for changing or upgrading the game.
The ROM Cartridge, is like a Sega Genesis cart that's 2 inches tall(a little wider though).
Seriously, it's THAT short.
It looks complicated, but it can be hooked up just as easily as the CPS2 A+B boardset.
----How do I play the CPS3 setup on my TV?
You need a machine called the Super NOVA(Super Gun), which is an RGB->NTSC
converter, and JAMMA harness all in one! You get 2 heavy duty joysticks with it as well!
It comes with also the extra button wiring(if you don't have one, ask
[email protected]
for one, he has many of them).
How do you get one of these? Well, for $295, you can get one from MAS Systems
(the innovator of the Super Gun), at (714)831-5760. And sorry, you can't get a cheaper
model. :( I'd advise you to get an S-Video capable TV, otherwise your arcade games will
look like shit. Trust me on that one.
----Is this JAMMA? Extra button wiring?
Yes, this is directly JAMMA, as stated above. Just plug into your Super NOVA
(or arcade cabinet), and play! But, you need the extra button wiring, and for that, just
ask
[email protected], or buy a new CPS3 System. That extra button wiring is very
important.
----How do I take advantage of Q-Sound?
Probably one of the greatest inventions ever in the arcade industry, Archer Labs'
Q-Sound technology allows more realistic feeling of the game's sound effects and background
music. Due to that, it won't be real effective to use this on your TV(unless you have a
killer home stereo system, like from Onkyo or Bose), and you should just stick your stereo
jacks to your Super NOVA, instead of the CPS3 boardset itself.
But, if you have a killer stereo system, or an arcade cabinet, then you're in luck!
Just plug in each speaker(left and right), to their respective jacks on the CPS3 boardset.
Then, prepare for the ride, because the feeling will blow you away! Well, pretty much, anyway..
----Can I write Capcom Coin-Op Division of America?
Of course you can! They welcome your comments, and questions about their products.
Their address is as follows:
CAPCOM COIN-OP DIVISION
475 Oakmead Parkway
Sunnyvale, CA 94086 U.S.A.
Their phone number is (408)522-5331. You can fax to that number as well.
----What's expected of the CPS3 Hardware in the future?
Don't really expect too much from this platform, unless Capcom decides to step it
up, suck it in, and release more games for it. Capcom earlier planned for this system to
die off, but with the incredible success of SF3: 3rd strike, Capcom is sticking with this
system.
----What's exactly the ROM cartridge's purpose in the CPS3 system?
Well, it doesn't hold much GAME DATA, meaning that the CPS3 doesn't draw any char-
acters off of the ROM cart. It is more or less a security cartridge, to determine
backup and counterfeit CDs.
----My CPS3 setup doesn't work!
Well, first, please check your CD connection, if it's secure, and the power connections
and the secutiry ROM cart is in place. If that is affirmative, then we must check the chips
on the motherboard. Check to see if everything on the motherboard is in place(that means
taking off the RF shield on the motherboard). If that doesn't work, then try anohter game
in there(Jap or American, it doesn't matter). If not, then it's a dead motherboard.
Don't fret however; many companies listed below in my marketplace section carries
lots of CPS3 motherboards, for cheap! And, remember that when you load each game, you load
it into the CPS3 memory before playing it.
|------------------------|
| UPGRADABILITY Questions|
|------------------------|
----You mean, all I have to do is get the ROM+CD-ROM? I don't have to buy a full kit every
time I get a new game?
Exactly. Capcom originally intended for easy upgrading of the CPS3 platform, by
switching out the ROM and CD-ROM. Well, to you and me, that seems like a good idea, but
distributors then wouldn't sell any CPS3 motherboards then. So, the number of distributors
who would sell the CD-ROM+ROM combination dwindle every day.
It would be better to buy full kits anyways. Why? Well, every time you switch the
game in the CPS3 Hardware, you have to wait 30 minutes for the game to load up. And, if you
get a voltage spike, or a brownout of some sort(even a blackout), the motherboard will
FRY!! That's why I choose full kits all the time.
----What's this about the Voltage Spike issue?
Just like the "Capcom Suicide" issue on the CPS2 system, Capcom forgot one thing about
this system. Voltage regulation and distribution of the system, that's what they forgot.
Since the motherboard is predominantly made of steel, and the nature of the ROM AND CD-ROM
hookups, it can fry when you get a voltage spike or brown-out.
Blackouts, you need no worry(except for loading new ROMs into the hardware), but
for the irregularities in the power, you should get a surge suppressor of some sort, to combat
this problem. If not, you may lose a motherboard. :(
----What is the price difference between Japanese, Asian, and U.S.A. CPS3 Hardware?
Well, in Japan and Asia, arcade operators cycle through their games VERY fast,
meaning that the prices of the games drop really fast. For example, Street Fighter 3
on Asian cost $2750 on 2/7/97, but on 2/20/99, it cost $180. On U.S.A. format, the same game
that was $2750 on 2/7/97 now costs $550 on 2/20/99, and $260 on 11/11/99. See, that's why the
U.S.A. boards are THAT much more lucrative.
-----------------------------
GAME LIST ---(All Games are in Japanese name)---
*Japanese->U.S.A./Asian converted names are below the list
6 Separate Games Indexed
Rating(1 worst-10 best)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure 8, good fighter(1999)
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future 9, good updates to a good fighter(1999)
Street Fighter 3: New Generation 8, great fighter(1997)
Street Fighter 3: Second Impact ~giant attack~ 9, great upgrade to SF3(1997)
Street Fighter 3: Third Strike ~fight for the finish~ 10, the best of Capcom(1999)
Warzard 7, original fighter(1996)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----JAPANESE ONLY Game List
The games which were only released in Japan are the following:
Warzard (*Red Earth, the supposed American version of it, hasn't been sold by arcade
operators in long time, and there are doubts as to if it has ever been released.)
----Japanese->U.S.A./Asian Name Conversion List
*on the left is the Japanese name, on the right is the U.S.A/Asian name, if there
is a name change at all...most games do not need a name change*
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure=Jojo's Venture
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future=no US/Asian Translation?
*Jojo's Bizarre Adventure=Jojo no Kimyou na Bouken....most Japanese go by
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure instead of the latter name.*
--------------------------------
MARKETPLACE
----Price List for CPS3 U.S.A/EUROPE Boards
*first price is when companies sell just the ROM and CD-ROM, second price is when
they sell the Whole setup USED, and third price is NEW Full System Kit.*
ROM+CD USED kit NEW kit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jojo's Venture 250 375 550
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future 750 925 1199
Street Fighter 3: New Generation 110 200 300
Street Fighter 3: Second Impact 200 325 475
Street Fighter 3: Third Strike 400 525 850
Warzard 110 200 300
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These prices are for U.S.A. Systems, with the exception of Warzard and Jojo's Bizarre
Adventure: Heritage for the Future.
----Retailers and Distributors
50th State Coin-op:(800)424-5050 (doesn't have a good selection at all)"www.gamegod.com"
Automaticos Valls:(34)96-291-7026 (this place in Spain has got the goods)"www.automaticosvalls.com"
Bondeal: no phone # (a great source for arcade stuff)"www.bondeal.com.hk"
Bumper:(61)3-9696-9690 (Australia's best CPS3 Source)"www.bumper.com.au"
Coinop International:(612)321-9632 (very good source of CPS3 stuff, great to deal with)"www.coinopintl.com"
Cosmic Amusements: (852)2388-2101 (great Hong Kong source for CPS3 equipment)"home.netvigator.com/~cosmicco"
Creideas: no phone # (great foreign source for CPS3 equipment)"www.vnet.es/creideas"
Fuuki: no phone # (excellent Japanese CPS3 Source)"www.mediawars.or.jp/~fuukico/"
Game City:(626)573-3832 (has CPS3 boards and other video games)"www.gamescity.com"
Great Western Trading:(541)726-1813 (has some CPS3 boards)"www.gwtrading.com"
Hugo Neumann:(800)998-4846 (good, but high priced CPS3 carts sometimes)
Kimble:(353)42-36574 (Ireland's finest supplier of arcade equipment)"www.kimble.ie"
MAS Systems:(714)831-5760 (accessories, and the Super NOVA dealer!)"www.massystems.com"
Midwest Amusements:(847)364-7722 (has some CPS3 carts, a couple rare ones)"www.midwestamusement.com"
MHP Ent. Ltd.:(44)125-45-6029 (another CPS3 source in the UK, call for info)"www.mhpuk.mcmail.com"
Mondial Group:(914)738-7411 (is a little high in the price department)"www.mondialgroup.com"
Outer Limits Amusements:(800)474-2637 (has some decent CPS3 stuff, nothing special)"www.outerlimitsgames.com"
Presto PCB's: no phone # (Steve Eisner's selling place for lots of CPS3 stuff)"www.cdc.net/~presto/pcb"
Rent-A-Game:(416)650-3718 (Canadian supplier of CPS3 units)"www.rent-a-game.com"
Sage Electronik AG:(41)61-691-1555 (Swiss dealer in CPS3)"www.sage-ag.ch"
State Sales and Coin:(410)646-4100 (CPS3 boards, complete machines)"www.sscoin.com"
Tuning:(49)89-311073 (Germany's source of good CPS3 boards, quality, and sometimes high priced)"www.tuning.com/english"
Video Connection:(800)444-6854 (CPS3 everything, board prices are good)"www.videoconnect.com"
Worldwide Distributors:(773)384-2300 (okay source for CPS3)"www.dirs.com/update/wwdi/wwdi.txt"
-----------------------------
OTHER
----Past Updates
v.1.0: First released version, has lots of new info, and there's more to come!
(2/20/99)
v.1.1: More questions answered, especially about the voltage issues.(9/3/99)
v.1.2-1.2b: More general info put in here.(current)
----Coming Soon to my FAQ!
v.1.3: More info added as necessary.
----Special Thanks
I'd like to thank Coin-Op International, Steve Eisner, Chris Ray, Carey Durant, Greg Goff,
Sylvio Hodos, and everyone else that I forgot to credit for helping me make this FAQ. Thank
you all for helping me, and for reading this FAQ.
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<Copyrighted 1997, 1998, 1999 by Chris Mullins, all rights reserved. Any republication of>
<this material, without written consent from myself(Chris Mullins), and credit to myself,>
<will be subject to fines and/or sentencing due to plagiarism. >
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< | Chris Mullins's CPS3 FAQ 1.2b END | >
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