                   > > > >  N E W S F L A S H !  < < < <

                             SUPER WILD CARD!
                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This  new  revolutionary  piece  of  hardware  will allow for users to make
back-ups of their cartridge software investments.  This is the follow up to
the hughely successful `Super Magicom'.  The new unit includes the new `FX'
chip  which  all  the  new  cartridges  will  be using, and also features a
programmable  `DSP'  chip  in order to allow *ALL* games to be backed up to
disk.   The diskdrive is now built in, and is powered through the cartridge
port  of  the  SNES.   It  also  features the well known port for parallell
transfers.  A new feature is also the incredible TRAINER option/menu, which
allows users to edit their own games to achieve unlimited lives etc ...

                                  RELEASE
                                  -------

This  unit  is a masterpiece of technology and the release date will be the
first  week  of  March  1993.   At  the  same time there will be an upgrade
package  for  current users of `Super Magicom'.  The price for this upgrade
is not known at this time, but will be no more than $100 max.

                                COMPETITION
                                -----------

We  would  like  to  take this opportunity to explain that our competitor's
product `pro Fighter' is not actually any competition, since the product is
extremely  bad.   The  `Pro  Fighter' does *NOT* contain the VERY ESSENTIAL
`FX' chip, nor does it feature a parallell transfer port.

--------------------------> FRONT FAREST 1993 <----------------------------

===========================================================================

^^  This  file  was  made  to look like the above was typed by Front Farest
Industrial  Corporation,  but  they  do not write like that - as any dealer
would  know  immediately.   They  do  not  slag  off  their  competition --
ESPECIALLY  from  their  sister  company  CCL..  Mr Chu and Mr Lui are good
friends..   what's  more,  why  would  they claim they had the Super FX and
'Programmable DSP' on board when they don't???  Another thing Front Fareast
don't  do  is lie...  some dickhead wrote HIS OPINIONS and tried to pass it
off as FACTS by saying Front Fareast wrote it.  Sadness!

===========================================================================

Anyway, before I get as bad as the original author..  lets get on with..

        The true technical information behind the Super Wild Card:
        ----------------------------------------------------------

Well  what does the Super Wild Card contain?  Well compared to the original
Super Magicom the differences on PCB design are minor.  The first thing you
will  notice  is  the fact that the disk drive is built in.  It is the same
mechanism  as  supplied  with the Magicom, but all power circuitry has been
implemented on the main PCB, with a standard connector linking the drive to
the  Wild Card.  The design of the casing is a bit lame, mainly because the
disk  drive is situated on the left side of the copier, making it difficult
to insert a disk.

Now   the   hardware,  there  have  been  rumours  about  it  containing  a
programmable  DSP  and a Super FX chip.  Now I must reveal to you all..  it
really does have these..  NOT!

The  copier uses the same Motorola disk drive controller IC as the original
copier,  and the DOS is still present on a standard EPROM.  Apart from that
everything  else (apart from some TTL logic chips) are surface mounted.  16
Megabits  of  RAM  has been mounted onto the main PCB, with the addition of
the  same  type  of  connector used to plug on memory expansion boards used
with  the original Magicom. (Therefore, now, plugging in a standard 16Mbit
RAM board will result in 32MBits on board.)

Finally  they  have  managed  to copy the lame Nintendo lock-out protection
chip  found  inside  a  catridge, this being just a simple 556 timer.  This
allows you to use the copier without the use of a cartridge.

The ALTERA custom processor has been dropped, and a custom made Altera type
of  chip  has  been  designed  by  Front Far East.  This chip being surface
mounted.  The chip contains extra functions from the original, allowing the
copier   to   read   the  new  games  which  address  their  games  between
$400000-$5fffff.

This  chip  will  also  allow  for  fast/slow ROM games and it also has the
ability  to  copy  Super Mario Kart, but ONLY if you have the original game
(ie.   you  can get an image file of the game, but to play it, the original
cartridge  which contains the DSP must still be present!) Whats the fucking
point?!   It's  another Pilot Wings job -- I suppose you could have the JAP
version on cartridge and play the American/European image file...

In  theory the copier should be able to copy anything, apart from DSP/Super
FX  which  require  the  original  games to be present.  All of the rumours
about  the  Super  FX  will only be confirmed when the first game, StarFox,
appears..   Don't trust the hype...  everyone thought Mario Kart would work
on the Magicom until it came out.  Front Fareast can only HOPE it will work
- they would not have seen the Super FX chip at the time they built the new
copier (if they have even seen it now...!).

The  DOS  uses  a drab 4 colour window type of system, with icons replacing
text  selection.  This is displayed in the lowest resolution possible, with
the  windows  taking  ages  to  draw every time you select an icon.  It's a
shame  that more wasn't made of the new menus..  bring back the speedy mono
menus!!

The only new useful addition to the DOS is the "Magic Finger", which allows
you to type in a (massive) code to let you cheat on games.  This is similar
to  the  Action Replay, and the Game Genie but not as good..  it won't find
them  for you, you have to type them in from a massive list (not supplied).
It   also   states   compatibilty   with  the  Game  Hunter/Doctor  cheats.
Fortunately  lists  of  cheats,  mainly for old games, are available on the
boards,  and  no  doubt some people will print them and supply them for you
with your copier.

I  have  yet  to  see  the  Pro  Fighter, but as far as i can see, the most
professional  product must be the Wild Card, because of the amount of money
invested  into  the copier.  Even with a few minor quirks, it is definately
one of the best copiers on the market - the internal drive in my opinion is
the  only drawback..  If it was to the front, maybe it would be acceptable,
but  side-on..   well,  make  up your own mind.  You might be interested to
know,  that  inside  you can solder on a 25 way D-Connector and continue to
use an external drive, if you so desire [as long as you don't modifying the
case!]

One  other  slight  quirk  with  the internal disk drive is the extra power
drain  on  your  console..   so make sure you use something around the 2Amp
mark..   or  you  may see a burnt out machine within a very short period of
time.   (This  is  mentioned  in  the  manual,  in the 'Taiwanese/Mandarin'
english we have all become used to!)

The  parallel  transfer  software  sort of works with the Super Wild Card..
you  can  transfer  games and run them without any problems..  the problems
come when you want to transfer and save files.  Because you cannot transfer
the  tools  software (well not properly) you will be unable to use the SAVE
FILE options.  I am told that there will be tool programs you can load into
the Wild Card.  I know Starr will soon release a new version of SMCUtil.  I
am sure other authors will also release theirs shortly.  You can relax that
in the near future, this initial problem will be rectified.

Any question regarding the copier or any hardware/software related problems
or  should  be  directed  towards  Akira c/o Treasure Island BBS +44 (0)992
451191..   If  you would like to place an order, we are now finally able to
take  orders  again  for  the Super Wild Card and Magicom/Procom upgrades..
Prices are available online.  Leave your mail to Executioner.

If  you  are  a  developer  then  you  can  also gain access to our private
programmers  conference  (subject to a 'credit' check)..  for mail, source,
documentation  questions  etc.   Leave  your mail to Starr, who handles all
programming material.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACK TO THE ORIGINAL FILE: WILDCARD.TXT (3780 BYTES) 23-JAN-93...
===========================================================================

       (The name of the author has been removed for confidentiality)


                     MY ADDED THOUGHTS (Super Wild Card)
                     -----------------------------------

I  am  now one of the few proud owners of the `Super Wild Card' and believe
me,  its  GREAT.   The  quality of this machine is astounding just like its
predecessor, the `Super Magicom'.

    ^^ I'd go along with that!!!!

I  have tried everything possible, on this machine and EVERYTHING loads and
works PERFECT, intros, trainers the LOT!

    ^^ In the defence of the Pro-Fighter, so will that! (and so will all of
       the new copiers.)

I  also  found  on  my testing that the `Super Wild Card' will allow you to
play,  English/European  Cartridges  on  a U.S machine (this would normally
mean  getting  a convertor), so now you can backup European cartridges even
if you have a U.S machine.

    ^^ You can also do that on the Magicom/ProCom by adding a protection IC
       onto the PCB.. so nothing really major there! (if you wan't details
       of that, look around the boards for text files and diagrams)..

Another  thing  i found kewl was the little switch thingy to allow the user
to switch between NTSC or PAL.  This is rather a decent idea!

    ^^ There is no NTSC/PAL switch on the Wild Card..  don't ask me where
       this idea came from!! There are jumpers which can be changed to
       emulate different country settings.. but this DOES NOT kick your
       machine from NTSC<>PAL! This is likely to be configured when you
       buy it anyway..

BASICALLY  THIS  IS  THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD AND FOR ALL YOU MUGS
WHO  LIKE  THIS  INFERIOR PRODUCT THE LAME `PRO FIGHTER' THEN HAHA YOUR THE
ONES LOSING OUT.

    ^^ Thats a bit immature saying that.. the Pro Fighter is 95% identical.
       Saying things like this just stirs idle bicketing and bantering.
       Didn't we have ENOUGH of this when the Magicom came out and people
       argued it was better/worse the Game Doctor.... Y A W N! (I confess
       I was guilty then.. but I have grown out of it.. if only everyone
       else had!)


                      MY ADDED THOUGHTS (Pro Fighter)
                      -------------------------------

I  have  not  actually got one of these lame backup devices and from what i
have heard from stories, i dont and will never want one!

    ^^ As far as I know, the Pro-Fighter has no parallel port.. this is the
       only drawback.. BUT, not everyone wants or uses the parallel port,
       (some don't even have a computer at all!), and apart from that they
       are almost identical (the DOS differs a bit, but does the same.)

There  is  a  person  who  my  friend  knows,  and he has this poor quality
machine, and is going mad.  He phoned up ????????  company, wanting to swap
it for a `Super Wild Card' because he claimed it was Rubbish (And he should
know).

This  person  claimed  alot of old games would not run on this machine (Pro
Fighter) and basically it was just a dissapointment

    ^^ A person my friend knows...  HMMMMM!!!!  My brother's mates
       girlfriends brother knows someone who knew of someone who once met
       someone who knew another guy who had heard of someone.... There will
       always be rumours - but the facts are that the Pro-Fighter does its
       job. Perhaps it was just faulty... give it a chance!

OKAY  THIS TEXT WAS PUT OUT TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO FIND OUT THE REAL FACTS, AND
NOT THE RUMOURS, THAT ARE SPREADING SAYING THIS IS THE BEST AND THIS IS THE
BEST.   ALSO  I WANTED THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HARDLY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT THESE
COPIERS  DO ETC, WHO ARE BLABBING OFF SAYING THE `PRO FIGHTER' RULES TO SEE
HOW STUPID THEY WERE!

    ^^ No comment.

