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Manbow 2 review - update

by snout on 23-11-2007, 12:16
Topic: MRC
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Today, we have updated our review of Manbow 2, the Space Manbow-inspired shooter game that was released by Sunrise during Bussum 2007.

Our initial review gave the impression that re-used cartridges were used, whereas in fact brand new cartridge cases were produced and used for this game's release. As soon as Sunrise gets the cartridge labels and game manuals to their customers the end-product will look as sparkling-new as it actually is.

Relevant link: Manbow 2 review

Comments (13)

By ARTRAG

Enlighted (6286)

ARTRAG's picture

23-11-2007, 16:42

I'd the original game bought at Bussm, can the authors unveil some HW details on this cartridge ? (programming tricks, HW details etc..)

BTW

On my TR (I resurrected it, thanks to Pingpong and Huey) I see some vertical lines (like vertical scanlines) during the game and on the title screen.
These vertical scanline very noticeable on yellow items, e.g. on rocks in foreground of level 1. They disappear on the backgroung grey rocks in background.
Is this a wanted effect or a problem with msx TR's or even worst, a problem OF my TR GT ?

Any hint ?
:-|

By MicroTech

Champion (386)

MicroTech's picture

23-11-2007, 17:30

I've also another question: does Manbow 2 work on 1chipMSXQuestion

By Haohmaru

Paladin (772)

Haohmaru's picture

23-11-2007, 17:36

As far as I can tell: yes.

By Xan0ri

Master (145)

Xan0ri's picture

23-11-2007, 21:53

Where could I buy this game? Is it going to be available at sunrise pages in the future?

By Grauw

Ascended (8516)

Grauw's picture

24-11-2007, 04:05

It didn’t work on mine, MicroTech. I’m using the VGA out, dunno if that matters.

~Grauw

By Guillian

Prophet (3235)

Guillian's picture

24-11-2007, 12:37

I have tested Manbow 2 on 1chip MSX and seems to work fine. The only problem I have found is that using RGB output you need to get the sound from the white audio connector. Because the sound output from VGA connector doesn't seem to be connected to SOUND-IN slot signal, so you can't hear the SCC.

By norakomi

Paladin (1004)

norakomi's picture

24-11-2007, 21:16

@ATRAG: i hope its not a HW problem with your tr.
if you have a chance, please try it with a different tr.
_____________________________________________
I'd the original game bought at Bussm, can the authors unveil some HW details on this cartridge ? (programming tricks, HW details etc..)
_____________________________________________
can you be more specific ?

By Huey

Prophet (2644)

Huey's picture

25-11-2007, 13:06

@ATRAG: i hope its not a HW problem with your tr.
if you have a chance, please try it with a different tr.
_____________________________________________
I'd the original game bought at Bussm, can the authors unveil some HW details on this cartridge ? (programming tricks, HW details etc..)
_____________________________________________
can you be more specific ?

- Samples
- Flash saving

By ARTRAG

Enlighted (6286)

ARTRAG's picture

25-11-2007, 18:13

yes, how do you get in game samples for explosions?
and
how do you get saving on the flash rom?

By norakomi

Paladin (1004)

norakomi's picture

26-11-2007, 09:03

samples:
there are only 2 samples in the game
i recorded my own voice saying "start" and "continue", then i used some utilities to convert it to an msx readable standard.
you'all know how to do that, right ??
and about the explosions......
yeah, those are not samples,
just sound effects

and about flash saving i cannot tell you much, sorry

By cax

Prophet (3722)

cax's picture

28-11-2007, 10:09

Flash saving is a TOP SECRET, because when done *properly* you can replace the contents of the cartridge with anything you want, and cartridge producers don't want to position their product as rewritable hacking device... am I right ?

By Huey

Prophet (2644)

Huey's picture

28-11-2007, 10:46

Flash saving is a TOP SECRET, because when done *properly* you can replace the contents of the cartridge with anything you want, and cartridge producers don't want to position their product as rewritable hacking device... am I right ?

Top secret? I guess so. I asked Sunrise in Bussum if they still had some SCC MegaFlash ROMs for sale. They probably misunderstood and gave me al sorts of info on being unable to use the Manbow Cart for flashing andso. So it certainly is something they were aware of when designing. (I would too btw)

My guess is that the SCC MegaFlash ROM and Manbow 2 share some hardware simularities.

This flash memory certainly provides new posibilities for new games.
You could save progress or even alter code to handle 50 and 60hz timing correct. Maybe even letting the gamer import theire own player-gfx like with "Drawn to life" from the NDS. Multi lingual support by flashing the text in ROM. Recording the players movements for later replay just to show off to your friends. oO Running Naked in a Field of FlowersoO

By dvik

Prophet (2200)

dvik's picture

29-11-2007, 01:17

My guess is that Manbow 2 is an SCC MegaFlash ROM with hardware write protect on the sectors that is not used for saving game data. Its possible to unprotect the flash but it requires that you temporarily raise the RESET line and then write the unprotect command sequence to the flash.

Its probably not worth doing. Its better to buy a new fresh SCC MegaFlash ROM instead.