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X-Terminator
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The
X-Terminator is a cheat device that also coupled as a region free adaptor.
Little else is known about the device. Thanks to ReadOnly from MESS for
sending me this stuff.
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Not much is
known about the X-Terminator cheat device. The description on the box makes it
sound like it would have functioned similarly to the Pro Action Replay, and in
fact used the same code system. The device also allows you to search for new
codes. The X-Terminator also served as an adaptor to play foreign games.
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X-Terminator - front
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The back of
the PCB with the switch that allowed you to toggle functions.
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X-Terminator box
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Closeup of
the back of the X-Terminator box
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PCB of the
X-Terminator. The ROM chip has a date stamp from March 1993, providing a
minimum timing of manufacture. Also on the PCB is an EPROM, an 18CV8PC chip
(a programmable logic device), a PAL16L6ACN chip (another programming logic
device), an SCL 4016BE chip (a DIP IC), and a P9052AB chip (presumably
another IC).
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After analyzing
a number of dumps of the X-Terminator, I came to the conclusion the one I am
releasing here is the correct dump. The text within the binary indicates this
device probably was only intended for release in the US. There are no graphics
in the ROM image, save the font set, which I have captured below.
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Font used in
the X-Terminator
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X-Band
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The Xband was
a unique peripheral that allowed for networked multiplayer of SNES games.
Thanks to neviksti for some of the information here.
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Released by
Catapult Entertainment Inc. The modem cost (originally): $19.95 US. Subscriber
Fees were $4.95 for 50 credits, 15 cents for additional credits, or $9.95 for
unlimited credits. Optional Keyboard: $29.95.
This device was
released on both the Genesis and the Snes, and was used for networked gaming.
Users connected the Xband modem to their phone lines and played against people
all across the US. This device was licensed by Nintendo. It was first
introduced in November 1994 in select cities, and eventually distributed across
the US. The device uses a 2400-baud modem, which allowed access over phone
lines. Although the modem is slow, the Xband worked by sending controller
instructions, by intercepting code from the game, and patching it with its own
instructions, much like the Game Genie works.
The system
worked by dialing up the main server, which was located in Cupertino,
California. The server then sent the Xband newsletters (called Bandwidth and
Xband News). It also sent any patches that were needed. You could then search
for opponents. Long distance service cost $3.95 an hour. There was some lag
with this system, but apparently it was not really a problem.
The system had
a rating system that determined your level of skill. The more wins you had, the
higher the rating you got, and the rating you your opponent had determined how
much your rating would go up with a win. If an opponent pulled the plug on the
modem during the game, the person would automatically lose.
The keyboard
was not as common as the modem, and it is likely very difficult to find. It connected to the
second controller slot.
Games Supported:
- Doom
- Ken
Griffey Jr. Baseball
- Killer
Instinct
- Madden
NFL '95
- Madden
NFL '96
- Mortal
Kombat II
- Mortal
Kombat 3
- NBA
Jam TE
- NHL
'95
- NHL
'96
- Super
Mario Kart
- Weaponlord
The Xband also
had many built in codes. Here are some:
- Killer Instinct: To
turn off random select after one win, both players must hit select at the
controller config screen when they are done configuring
- Mortal Kombat 3: To
make Smoke a playable character, both players have to select as the
controller config screen fades in
- Background Effect: At
the Xband title screen, press Up, Up, Left, Right, and the background will
roll around
- Maze Game: At the main
six icon screen, press Down, Down, Left, Left, Right, B
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Front of the
cart. Courtesy of neviksti.
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Japanese
X-Band. Taken from an old Yahoo! Japan auction.
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X-Band
prototype with a clear casing. Picture by csgx1
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Scans
- Back of the cart
- Closeup of the back label
- X-band card reader
- X-Band PCB - front
- X-Band PCB - back
- Japanese X-Band cart
- Japanese X-Band set
- X-Band Prototype (front)
- X-Band Prototype (side)
Bibliography
- Gamepro, The
Cutting Edge, Publication date:
February 1995, Volume: 77,
Pages: 18
- X-Band information at
The Cutting Room Floor (link)
- Thread on Digital
Press discussing a prototype X-Band unit (link)
- X-Band source code (link)
- Thread about the
X-Band on Acmlm's Board (dating to 2005) (link)
- Recollectoins of the
X-Band by David Ashley (who did hacking for Catapult) (link)
- X-Band revival forums
(link)
The Xband was a unique peripheral that allowed for networked multiplayer of SNES games. Thanks to neviksti for some of the information here.
