Repair & Schematics
Game Gear

Visual Diagnostics (Game Gear)

4min

Many common problems can be seen by having a specific type of screen output.

For all the tests I try and use Sonic 1 or Sonic 2 so that most people who have that game can use it to test if they get identical outputs.

I will start to form a list as I come across them of what visual issues arise and what chips or legs are the cause. This list will grow over time.

Many issues can be resolved by jumping on our Discord. However sometimes you can do some really quick checks if you are getting visual issues on your CleanScreen.

Often the same visual comes from the same problem, but not always. So this is just a quick guide to try first if you are having issues.

Missing Colors / Grey Shades

Poorly Inserted Right Ribbon
Poorly Inserted Right Ribbon
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Poorly Inserted Right Ribbon
Poorly Inserted Right Ribbon
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If Sonic shows without strong blue colors, and instead shows white, and colors invert/flicker during fades, this can be caused by:

  • Right side wire free ribbon not being correctly inserted into CleanScreen
  • Some of the data pins not well soldered
  • Damaged ribbon cable for data pins

Try pressing on the solder joints and CleanScreen ribbon connector to see if it helps.

Yellow Overlay

ASIC D7 Floating
ASIC D7 Floating
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This visual is almost always caused by a floating or shorted D7 pin on the ASIC.