Issue with Songa MD3 (ZW-163) Clone with certain Games

[Retro-Hax]

So my Songa MD3 Clone arrived in Germany no issues with it not even crashes with Games until i tried PAL Landstalker on it.
Now first off i did have to modify the Switch Position to Option 3 or else it would show an Error that the Game was not intended for the Console.
Basically from what i tested and no matter what File i selected it crashes always after selecting a File.
I did test the Russian Bootleg Game Superman 2 as well as Angry Birds in Russia and both worked without any Issues which i am unsure as to why since unless im mistaken theyre also PAL Games.

[Sanyameloman]

If I'm not mistaken and understood your issue right the Option 3 on this switch stands for Japanese NTSC and, in theory, you need the Option 2 for European PAL.
I can't see it clear - are there 2 switches available on your console or only the 4-position one?

[Retro-Hax]

If I'm not mistaken and understood your issue right the Option 3 on this switch stands for Japanese NTSC and, in theory, you need the Option 2 for European PAL.
I can't see it clear - are there 2 switches available on your console or only the 4-position one?

Well thats weird?
and uh no this is the only Switch aviable on the Console from what i saw.
if i recall correctly Alex has worked with this Mega Drive Clone before tho his was crashing midway through Games while mine did not so im unsure if i maybe have one of the "good" batches of the Songa ZW-163.
But yea i am very confused as to why this happens.

[Sanyameloman]

Well thats weird?

Feels like i didn't get your question right)
You have Landstalker PAL cartridge with save files on it and the game crashes when you trying to load them, right?

if i recall correctly Alex has worked with this Mega Drive Clone before tho his was crashing midway through Games while mine did not so im unsure if i maybe have one of the "good" batches of the Songa ZW-163.

There can be different interiors inside this case (pcb boards, chip etc.). Maybe you'll need to check what type of chip do you have and make a photo of it.

[Rumata]

Это не связано с регионом.
Проблема или с картриджем или с приставкой.

[Sanyameloman]

Переключатель напряжения 3,3/5 вольт на плате может быть причиной?

[Rumata]

Конечно. В положении "3,3" работа нормальных картриджей вообще не гарантируется.
Правда автор вроде пишет, что переключатель один

[Sanyameloman]

Ну, на фото же есть наклейка для второго тумблера NTSC/PAL, который не распаян (точнее, контакты под него замкнуты каплей припоя в каком-то одном положении). Вполне возможно, что на плате есть и какая-то перемычка, отвечающая за напряжение питания картриджа. Но надо смотреть чип и плату.

[Rumata]

Переключатель видео не распаян, хотя на фото проглядывают дырочки на плате под него. Это стандартно, ни разу не видел его распаянным.
Переключатель напряжения находится (если он есть) отдельно, обычно обозначен "A/B". Если переключателя нет, то на слоте должно быть 5 Вольт

Да, а наклейка всегда была такая. Как один раз сделали, так потом и не меняли

[Retro-Hax]

Sorry for not replying for so long i had stress the past couple days with IRL Issues and also my birthday is at 20.12. anyways so uh i feel kinda weird since the insides are very very tiny and iirc in Alex Z Video they were not as tiny
here is the Video of Alex Z (in the Forum) aka Alex M: https://youtu.be/c4kz1iabLtc?feature=shared
EDIT: also noticed a second switch on there but i am unsure as to what it is doing :(


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Feels like i didn't get your question right)
You have Landstalker PAL cartridge with save files on it and the game crashes when you trying to load them, right?

There can be different interiors inside this case (pcb boards, chip etc.). Maybe you'll need to check what type of chip do you have and make a photo of it.

Yes Landstalker PAL Cart has Saves on it and trying to load any of them causes the Game to lock up but the Game works on Genuine Sega Mega Drive Model 1 and Model 2

[quq_CCCP]

Все потому что у вас поздний клон сега, выпущенный после 2002 года, естественно такие клоны сеги являются дерьмом, не заслуживающего внимания.
Chinese clones of the Sega console were very diverse both externally and internally, early versions from the 90s of the last century were on larger boards, often had RGB and stereo outputs and a working port - mega CD. But they are still produced, although they are similar in appearance, internally they are of a completely different quality and size of the board.
Therefore, what you saw in the video is a rare thing; collectors are looking for them in Russia. What you bought - you could go buy it at any time, in any video game store in Russia.

[Retro-Hax]

I just noticed mine is MD3 while the Songa COnsole in Alex Z Video was a Model 2 Console thats probably also the reason why it is so small from what i would guess tho i will try hunting down a Model 2 Songa

[quq_CCCP]

You need to look not for the model, but for the specific year of manufacture, this is the only way you will get specific internals, because all this is counterfeit, no one thought about what was written on package.

[Sanyameloman]

Yes Landstalker PAL Cart has Saves on it and trying to load any of them causes the Game to lock up but the Game works on Genuine Sega Mega Drive Model 1 and Model 2

Wait a minute... What is the switch in the hot glue on the wires below, close to the gamepad ports? Did you try to switch it to another position? Maybe it's the 3.3/5v cartridge power switch, which is used to power new or old cartridges.

[SeregaZ]

а из-за этого переключателя случаем не сгорят новодельные 3.3v если их по ошибке засунуть при включенных 5v?

[Retro-Hax]

Wait a minute... What is the switch in the hot glue on the wires below, close to the gamepad ports? Did you try to switch it to another position? Maybe it's the 3.3/5v cartridge power switch, which is used to power new or old cartridges.

This is the 3.3v/5v cartridge power switch tho it does not seem to change anything like even if i put it on 5v Landstalker is crashing/freezing at the Titlescreen it seems also will a game get damaged if a 3.3v game is plugging in 5v cartridge power mode?

Добавлено позже:

You need to look not for the model, but for the specific year of manufacture, this is the only way you will get specific internals, because all this is counterfeit, no one thought about what was written on package.

Ah understandable honestly have not thought about it

[Sanyameloman]

So you tried to switch it in another position (when the console is switched off) and it didn't help at all?

If you say that game runs perfectly on original consoles the problem might be only in Songa.

will a game get damaged if a 3.3v game is plugging in 5v cartridge power mode?

I think that brief check won't cause a damage, while constant exposure to overvoltage might have a consequences for the cartridge memory.

[Retro-Hax]

So you tried to switch it in another position (when the console is switched off) and it didn't help at all?

If you say that game runs perfectly on original consoles the problem might be only in Songa.

I think that brief check won't cause a damage, while constant exposure to overvoltage might have a consequences for the cartridge memory.

Nope and well yea it sadly might be an issue with my Songa :(
i may try running via Flashcard tho before giving up but i got wait til Stone Age Gamer has Krikzz Mega Everdrive Pro in stock again

[Sanyameloman]

Nope and well yea it sadly might be an issue with my Songa

Well, that's your decision and you decide what to do

These chinese clones might be interesting for radioelectronic enthusiasts who try to reveal the full potential of these GOACs. And sometimes this is not worth thing to do at all :-)