Ok, first things first -- this is not my first repair, but I thought I should start with a repair log of something unusual. Neo Geo MVS carts are not usually something that one would repair, since most games are relatively affordable and as such are easily replaced. On the other hand, these repairs are usually somewhat trivial, requiring just track repair, maskrom replacement, solder touch up or if you're unlucky, the replacement of one of SNK's custom chips. This one however was not such a case. The patient. The game I was sent -- SvC Chaos -- was one of the last games published for the MVS. The cart has an unique PROG board with a custom that only exists on it, the NEO-PVC. This chip basically serves as copy protection and without it, the game does not work at all. I was sent this cart for repair with the quite accurate description of it not working and that it had happened suddenly. Indeed, it was the case, displaying a blank screen upon booting. Or more accur
Welcome to Nanban Arcade's blog! I have started this blog with the intent of recording my arcade board repair logs as I have started doing a lot of them and become more proficient. Hopefully they will help you get some pointers that will help you fix your own boards. This is also my way of giving back to the community as I have learned much of what I know by reading other people's repair logs. Besides repair logs I will also give some updates on the arcade related projects I have begun including my personal take on arcade sticks and superguns. If you are wondering about the weird name chosen for this blog it has a very neat explanation. Nanban is japanese for "southern barbarian" which was what was the Portuguese were known as back in the 16th century when they first reached Japan. I found it rather fitting given Japan's contribution to the arcade scene and my own nationality. Enjoy, ic3b4ll