Taito F3 System

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Taito F3 System
Manufacturer Taito
Year 1992
Media Cartridge
CPU MC68EC020
GPU PowerVR 2 (PVR2DC)
Sound MC68000 / ES5505 and ES5510 (DSP)
Resolution 15k
Wiring Standard JAMMA
Predecessor Taito 68020 Based System
Successor Taito FX-1A System

The Taito F3 System (also known as Cybercore) is an arcade game system released by Taito in 1992. Some early games running on F3 hardware were released as standalone PCBs, but most complete F3 kits consist of a motherboard and pluggable game ROM carts, very much like NeoGeo or CPS2[1].

Region Lock

The problem with F3 system is that both motherboards and game carts are regioned and the regions do not interoperate: for example, you can not run Japanese cart on European motherboard and so on.

Modifying the Motherboard

The only thing that prevents the motherboard from running games from a different regions are the connectors on the motherboard. If you disconnect a cartrige from the motherboard, you can see the exposed cart connectors - they contain "stoppers", and game cartridges from the same region have matching "holes". A cartridge from a different region has the "holes" in different place(s).
Motherboard before modification
I used soldering iron to melt the "stoppers" away. Be careful not to overheat the connectors. If you overheat the connectors, you might damage the motherboard!
Motherboard after modification
After you have "clean" connectors, your motherboard will accept a game from any region.[1]

It is also possible to change the language of the game board, by rewriting one of the ROMs[1].

Warning Sticker

"The potentiometer located on the PCB is for adjusting the voltages of IC's mounted on the PCB, and not for adjusting the sound volume. And turning it carelessly will result in destruction of the PCB, to which attention must be paid."

Game List

Title JP Release US Release World Release Prototype Release F3 PCB Release Notes
Arabian Magic Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Arkanoid Returns Yes check.svg
Bubble Memories: The Story Of Bubble Bobble III Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Bubble Symphony / Bubble Bobble II Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Cleopatra Fortune Yes check.svg
Command War - Super Special Battle & War Game Yes check.svg
Darius Gaiden - Silver Hawk Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Darius Gaiden - Silver Hawk Extra Version Yes check.svg
Dungeon Magic / Light Bringer Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Elevator Action II / Elevator Action Returns Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Gekirindan Yes check.svg
Grid Seeker: Project Storm Hammer Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Hat Trick Hero '93 / Taito Cup Finals Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Hat Trick Hero '94 / International Cup '94 Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Hat Trick Hero '95 / Taito Power Goal Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Kaiser Knuckle / Global Champion / Dan-Ku-Ga Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Kirameki Star Road Yes check.svg
Land Maker Yes check.svg
Moriguchi Hiroko no Quiz de Hyuu!Hyuu! Yes check.svg
Pop'n Pop Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Puchi Carat Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Puzzle Bobble 2 / Bust-A-Move Again Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Puzzle Bobble 2X Yes check.svg
Puzzle Bobble 3 Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Puzzle Bobble 4 Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Quiz Theater - 3tsu no Monogatari Yes check.svg
Ray Force / Gunlock Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Recalhorn (Prototype) Yes check.svg
Riding Fight Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Ring Rage Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Space Invaders '95: The Attack Of Lunar Loonies / Akkanbeder Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Space Invaders DX Yes check.svg Non-F3 version also available
Super Cup Finals Yes check.svg
Top Ranking Stars / Prime Time Fighter (New Version) Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Top Ranking Stars / Prime Time Fighter (Old Version) Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Twin Cobra II / Kyukyoku Tiger II Yes check.svg Yes check.svg Yes check.svg
Twin Qix (Prototype) Yes check.svg

References

External Links