Bootleg KoF98 MVS cart? Or bad P rom?

I just bought a used KoF98 cart from MDGameSales on Ebay, and after playing it briefly, I think that it may be a bootleg. The cartridge casing is white rather than the usual black, but that's not what makes me wonder. In-game, there seem to be missing sound samples - for example, Yamazaki doesn't say anything when you hold the button on his his QCB + A/B/C move. This sets off sirens to me, but I'm not positive.

If it is a bootleg, should I try to get my money back, and how good is MDGamesales about this sort of thing? The listing didn't specifically say anything about the cart's origin, other than it was "used". I paid $65 for it. The Ebay page for it is <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2127181898&showtutorial=0&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=0&ed=0&userId=&pass=" target="_blank">here.</a>

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Magic Dunker ]

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Magic Dunker ]</p>

I have recently bought several games from them. They have a phone number on their auctions, so I called them to ask them about what other titles they had.

And where they buy their games from...etc.. He told me that all of their games were original SNK games bought straight from the company here in the US.

The games I bought were Metal Slug X, Shock Trooers 2, and Sonic Wings 3.... all of them seem to work just fine for me.

They also have a 15 day warranty for their games! Mabey you can get a refund or possibly exchange it, because you are not satisfied.

Good Luck,
Robert

Open the cart...bootlegs will have eproms in them...rom chips with windows on them. One or two of these chips are okay...but if every chip is this way...you have a bootleg.

RevQuixo: I opened the cart up, and most of the chips have a pair of circular divots on them, on opposite sides of the manufacturer information... is that what you meant by "windows"?

(Edit: Okay, I opened up my MS3 cart, which I know is legit, for reference, and the chips in it had the same divots, so I know those aren't the "windows" you're talking about.

I played my KoF98 a bit more, and it's missing a lot of voice - most characters don't have much more than a few basic grunts and yells. For instance, Shingo just grunts when he does his QCF + P moves, and doesn't shout "Shingo Kiiiicku" for his HCF + K.)

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Magic Dunker ]</p>

Bump, cause nobody's really answered my question yet...

I talked to the MD Gamesales guy, and he claims it's a legit copy. He says he'll refund my money, but what I'm wondering is, assuming this is a legit copy (which I doubt), how common is it to find carts like this? As in, if I buy a KoF98 from another person on Ebay, what are my chances of getting the exact same thing?

i have bought off md before and i find their service is excellent i had trouble with a lost game would defenitley buy from them again

Ok, one last try, then I'm giving up.

A fellow NG fan alerted me today that this strange behavior with the sound could be because the cart's P rom is bad. Can anyone back this up?

Could very well be...it might be a loose solder connection. It sounds like it is a legit version of the game but obviously some of the data is not transferring correctly. It's either a bad rom, a bad connection, or a bad trace somewhere on the board.

Just return it or exchange it for another one. Get your money's worth!!!!

Hey man I have bought plenty of mvs carts from Mike at MD and all were legit , He is very upfront when he sells a boot or conversion !

He puts it right there for all to read so there is no doubt.

I trust MD to tell the truth , but these have been my experiences with them and I cant speak for anyone else here.

I have not seen anyone talk bad about them here though.

Here are a few links so you can look into the bootleg thing some.

<a href="http://members.aol.com/ryogeo/Garou_Boot.html" target="_blank">http://members.aol.com/ryogeo/Garou_Boot.html</a>

good bootleg info here
<a href="http://membres.lycos.fr/darkskyz/" target="_blank">http://membres.lycos.fr/darkskyz/</a>

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: candycab ]</p>

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I remember that, upon opening the cartridge, I found the PCBs had "SNK 1998" printed on them, and that all the chips were solid black with "Toshiba" and a part number on the surface. So, after reading the pages that candycab linked me to, I don't think it's a bootleg.

This is probably a defective cart, and I'll see if MD can get me a new one. I'm glad that this seems to be the case, as I've enjoyed dealing with him in the past.

And, I apologize for being impatient. :o