How can I tell if a cart is PAL?

[Danno]

I recently bought a copy od Stargate, which I thought was NTSC. It has no markings on the outside indicating otherwise that it is PAL, except a sticker on the back of the cart witha large "P" on it. It's a square, approx. 1/3 inch by 1/3 inch. I just asssumed this was put there by a previous owner.

 

But when I put the cart in, I get 1/2 a second of what appears to be the title screen, score appears at the top, and then almost immediately the screen start to roll diagonally, and there is a groaning noise coming from the speaker - like the sound of the car in Pole Position. And the cart won't play the game. Is this normal behavior for a pal cart? I thought Pal games had a problem with Vertical hold, but otherwise would play.

 

Is this a PAL cart - or is it just messed up.

 

I'm playing it ona 7800, which has no compatibility issues with any of the "commonly incompatible" 2600 games on some 7800 models.

 

Anyone? Is the cart dirty?

Edited April 27, 2005 by Danno

[CPUWIZ]

except a sticker on the back of the cart witha large "P" on it.

 

It's PAL.

 

Anyone? Is the cart dirty?

844762[/snapback]

 

Probably, or the ROM is going bad.

[Danno]

except a sticker on the back of the cart witha large "P" on it.

 

It's PAL.

 

 

Is that typical of PAl carts?

[CPUWIZ]

except a sticker on the back of the cart witha large "P" on it.

 

It's PAL.

 

 

Is that typical of PAl carts?

844781[/snapback]

 

Some Atari made carts have the 'P' on the endlabel and some don't have any distinguishing marks whatsover, unless it's something obvious, like a red label cart that does not exist in NTSC format.