From: m_moerstedt@bamp.berlinet.in-berlin.de (Matthias Moerstedt)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.games
Subject: Cartridge Copiers
Reply-To: m_moerstedt@bamp.berlinet.in-berlin.de
Date: 12 Apr 92 22:44:00 MET
Distribution: COMP
Organization: Mailbox BAMP im Zerberus-Netz
X-Version: ZerUU V6.45c

Well, i got this list a few days ago and since there are so many messages
about the Nintendo Adapter I decided to post it to the public.
I'm not responsible for this text and I don't know if the given information
is correct, use it at your own risk.

signing off... Mat

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        The following is a list of "Game Doctors" and its capabilities I
compiled for your information.  And what is "Game Doctor", and it's
origin. 

 "Game Doctor" is the name giving to devices that can read the ROM
on the video game cartridges and store it on floppy disk, which later can
be play back on the video game consoles without the original cartridge.
 The first "Game Doctor" got its start on the Nintendo Famicom
(Japan's NES).  As most of you know, Famicom has a 2.8" disk drive
available for it, and to save the material cost, many software maker
publish games on the 2.8" floppy.  (I think Nintendo choose to use a 
nonstardard disk size to control software piracy, as there won't be much
blank 2.8" floppy disks around to copy the games on.)  Anyway, sooner or
later, someone has written a disk copying program(don't think it's ever
legal in Japan).  And somehow as the years go by, there's plenty of blank
2.8" disks around.  I guess that's why there's never a disk drive for the
U.S. Nintendo, and now, most of the new games in Japan were out in cartridge
only.  To counter this, somebody made some new hardware that connects to the 
Famicom and the disk drive that backs up the games on to the floppy.
Thus, creating the first "Game Doctor".
 Applying the same concept to other video game consoles, many 
companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan made such devices for Famicom, and then
for PC-Engine, Genesis, etc.  These were the first generation "Game Doctors",
which only works with one type of machine, and generally uses the old 2.8"
Nintendo disk drive.  (Don't think there's ever any "Game Doctor" made
by a Japanese company, as the software companies, Nintendo, and Sega would
suit the pants off that company.  And Hong Kong had historically ignored the 
copyright laws of other countries.  They even have Nintendo Famicom clones.
Don't know about Taiwan. )
 As there are many limitations to the first generation of "Game Doctors",
like, limited storage of 2.8" floppy disks, only one megabit per disk, 
too expansive for multisystem owners, having to buy a "Game Doctor" for each
of his video game system, etc., comes the second generation of "Game Doctors".
 Almost every second generation of "Game Doctors" have a 3.5" drive,
and many of them can be use with serval different types of game systems at
the same time.
 And right now, the third generation of "Game Doctors" have already
been out.  The latest "Game Doctor" uses the more expansive static RAM,
to prevent hung up in the middle of the game.  (as DRAM has to refresh 
itself every cycle, and ROM do not, these could cause problems with the
video game consoles.  Static RAM acts much more like ROM than DRAM.)
Also, the new ones can be use with any video game systems that's ever out
and will be out in the future, including portables, like Game Boy, and 
Game Gear.  As all they have to do is to make a new interface.  And the 
size of the third generation "Game Doctors" is about a bit larger than a 
VHS video cassette, and can be use on battery power.
 I would not discuss how the first and second generation "Game Doctor"
works, instead, I'll talk more about the third generation, which I think
should be the most interesting to you.
 Currently there are two "Game Doctors" that are of the third generation.
They are 'Multi Game Doctor 2' and 'Super Twin Star', both made in Hong Kong.
The main unit contains a 3.5" HD disk drive, a LCD display, and a 
microprocessor for controlling, with a slot on the side.  They are about
the size of a VHS video cassette, can be use on battery power or AC.
To play a game from the disk, you first insert a special RAM cart into 
the slot on the main unit.  Then you load the game data onto the cart.
After that, you take out the cart, and plug it into an interfacing cartridge
for your type of video game console.  Then turn on the game console and play!
Isn't that simple?  As to how do you get the games on disk, first you
get the game cartridge you want to play.  Then, plug it into a special
interface for that type of game system, and plug the whole thing into the
slot on the main unit, and select the function BACKUP on the main unit.
And it will back up the cartridge on to disk.
 And as these two "Game Doctor" uses the standard IBM disk format,
you can pop the disk into your PC and modify the game, using PC Tools or
other disk editing program.  Like making the game to give you unlimited
1-ups or invincible, etc.  The possibility are endless.  And as to which
bytes to change, they're frequently published in Hong Kong video game
magazines.
 The following is a list of all the "Game Doctors" currently 
available.

Mega Disk Type:   can only be use on Sega Mega Drive
  Company: Taiwan Sang Ting Co. Ltd.
    11/F., RM. 1101C, Ho King Comm. Centre,
    2 Fa Yuen St., 
    KLN., Hong Kong
    Tel:   7704068
    Fax:   7807653
    (Please add Hong Kong international 
     area code)
  Description: a boxy shaped thing that sits on top of the
    Sega Mega Drive, much like a Genesis Master
    system converter.  has a built in 3.5"HD drive.
    Has 8Megabit memory, (cannot play 12M games
    like Star Control).  has a slot on top for
    plugging in cartridges, so you don't have to 
    remove 'Mega Disk' everytime you want to 
    play a cartridge game.  since it does not have
    a battery backup, you have to reload the game
    each time you turn off the system.  but takes
    only 34 seconds to load an 8 M game.
    While playing games from disk, you can plug
    in a save cart with battery into 'Mega Disk'
    to save your progress anytime, even if the
    game is an action game.  each save cart can 
    only save one game at a time.  it can
    also back up cartridges onto disks.
  Prices:  'Mega Disk' costs HK$ 1650
    save cart   HK$200


Super Magic Drive
  
  Type:  Super Magic Drive is for Sega Mega Drive only,
    but the company makes two versions of it for
    Nintendo Famicom, and NEC PC-Engine.  And is
    about to come out with one that works with 
    Super Famicom.  Each version can only be use
    with the system it designed for.
  Company: don't know, the name is in Chinese
    Tel:  3870223
    Fax:  3867980
    (please dial the Hong Kong International
     area code first)
  Description: the Sega version works much the same way as
    the 'Mega Disk', also sits on top of the
    Mega Drive, but it has built in save cart,
    and can have unlimited saves by writing it
    to disk.  also can have a max of 16 Megabit 
    memory. 
    the Nintendo Famicom version has 6M of 
    Memory, while the NEC PC-Engine version,
    comes in either 4 or 8 Megabit of memory,
    all three uses the same type of 3.5" HD
    disk drive.  the main unit is separated
    from the disk drive, connected by a cable.
  Prices:  Sega Mega Drive version:  8M    HK$1100
        16M HK$1600
    Famicom version:   6M  HK$695
    PC-Engine version:  4M  HK$1050
         8M  HK$1300   
    3.5" HD Sony disk drive:    HK$550



Turbo GD 6+ Type:  for Nintendo Famicom only
  Description: plugs into cartridge slot of Famicom and
    sits on top of it. has 6M memory, needs
    to buy another device for it in order to
    save game.  two piece type, main unit on top
    of Famicom with a cable connected to a
    3.5" disk drive.
  Company: don't know
    (the name is in Chinese only)
    Tel:  7282879
    Fax:  7283012
    (add Hong Kong international area code
     when dialing)
  Princes: Don't know


Super Twin Star HM-Drive

  Type:  portable, multi system, can be use with any
    system, including Gameboy and Game Gear
  Description: a portable unit about the size of a VHS
    cassette, has built in 3.5" HD disk drive,
    a two line LCD display for system function,
    and a slot on the side for accepting its
    own type of battery backed RAM cartridge,
    to play a game from disk, you first plug
    the RAM cart into its slot, then load the 
    game data from disk and write it to the
    RAM cart, then, take out the cart and plug
    it into a interface cartridge for your
    game system, and plug the whole thing into
    your video game system and play.
    to copy a game from cartridge, plug the 
    game cartridge into a special interface and
    then plug it into Super Twin Star, and 
    select the backup command.
    the RAM cart size is about 5 AA batteries
    put together.
    right now, it only have interfaces for using
    on PC-Engine, Super Famicom, Mega Drive,
    Game Boy, and Game Gear.
  Company: FM Trading Company
    Tel:  3878985
    Fax:  7259680
    (dial Hong Kong area code first)
  Prices:  main unit with 4M RAM cart:  HK$2400
            8M RAM cart:  HK$3200
              (includes one interface with main unit)
    All interfaces are HK$80 each, except
    Super Famicom, which is HK$400  

  Note:  Instruction manual is in English


Multi Game Doctor
  Type:  Multi system
  Description: two piece type, one is main unit, connected 
    to the disk drive via a cable, or you can 
    buy a special cable with software and use
    your IBM's disk drive.
    comes in 4M or 8M memory.
    the RAM is built into the main unit, 
    connecting via cable and an interface 
    cartridge, the flat cable is easy to break.
    Right now only have interface for Mega Drive,
    PC-Engine, and Super Famicom.
  Company: Makko Toy Co., Ltd.
    Tel:  7283703
  Prices:  4M Multi Game Doctor:   HK$1250
    8M Multi Game Doctor:   HK$2150
    3.5" disk drive:       HK$850
    PC-Engine & Mega Drive 
          interface:  HK$80 each
    Mega Drive interface with
          built in save cart:  HK$180
    Super Famicom interface
    with built in save cart:   HK$650


Multi Game Doctor 2
  
  Type:  portable, multi system
  Description: Just like Super Twin Star, except it has
    a much smaller LCD display, and its RAM
    cart uses tiny lithium battery, and about
    the size of a Game Boy cartridge.
    can have a max of 32M memory, but right now
    only offers a max of 8M RAM cart.
    (Super twin star uses a regular AA or AAA 
     battery for its RAM cart, but the lithium
     battery in Multi Game Doctor 2 RAM carts
     lasts only a month)
    right now, have interface for Mega Drive,
    Super Famicom, PC-Engine, NEC Super Grafx,
    Game Boy, and Game Gear.
  Prices:  Multi Game Doctor 2:   HK$1100
    1M RAM cart:   HK$395
    2M RAM cart:   HK$695
    4M RAM cart:   HK$1125
    8M RAM cart:   HK$1990
    Game Boy interface with 
         save game feature:  HK$185
    Game Gear interface:     HK$170
    PC-Engine interface:     HK$150
    Super-Grafx interface:   HK$150
    Mega Drive interface
           with save game feature:  HK$215
    Super Famicom interface
    with save game feature:  HK$590
    Cartridge backup to disk
      interface:  HK$200 for 
           each system
    lithium battery for RAM cart:  HK$15



Where to get the "Game Doctor"?
--------------------------------

 Of course if you can go to Hong Kong, you can get it there.  But, if 
you are like most people, which you won't be in Hong Kong in the near future,
and don't have any friends there,  you could try to find some specialty
Hong Kong importing company and ask them to get one for you, which they
many times charges no less than 50% of the price of the system.
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-- THE ANSWER V2.01