Madaracs
Well-known member
How to tell a bootleg Galaga board from the real thing?
I know this was briefly mentioned in another thread, but I wanted to get some clarification in identifying just what makes a Galaga board set a bootleg.
I have two Galaga board sets. (Actually 3 but one is dead.) Both are clean both are working. One is apparently a bootleg. The one that is an apparent bootleg does have noticeable lack of sound quality. That is to say it sounds "fuzzy" and not as clear as my non-bootleg. Also the bootleg has a part number on it that looks nearly identical to the original except that it has a dash 2 (-2) on it. I also noticed that on the second board that 6J, 6K, 6L, 6M etc are not populated on the bootleg...
I've included pictures of what my boards look like: (They are large so I apologize but I wanted to make sure the detail was there.)
Non-Bootleg:
Possible Bootleg:
I know this was briefly mentioned in another thread, but I wanted to get some clarification in identifying just what makes a Galaga board set a bootleg.
I have two Galaga board sets. (Actually 3 but one is dead.) Both are clean both are working. One is apparently a bootleg. The one that is an apparent bootleg does have noticeable lack of sound quality. That is to say it sounds "fuzzy" and not as clear as my non-bootleg. Also the bootleg has a part number on it that looks nearly identical to the original except that it has a dash 2 (-2) on it. I also noticed that on the second board that 6J, 6K, 6L, 6M etc are not populated on the bootleg...
- Is the defining factor that it doesn't have the trademark on it?
- Are there other obvious signs as well? (Sound?)
- Are the dip-switch settings the same on a bootleg?
- Are the EPROMs interchangeable?
- Can anyone give a brief history of how/why the bootlegs came to be? I assume it was a great money maker and someone decided they wanted a piece of the action... but I'd be interested in knowing more.
I've included pictures of what my boards look like: (They are large so I apologize but I wanted to make sure the detail was there.)
Non-Bootleg:
Possible Bootleg:
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