Aladdin Deck Enhancer

Infobox VG
title = Aladdin Deck Enhancer


developer = Codemasters
publisher = Camerica
producer =
engine =
released = 1992
genre =
modes =
ratings =
platforms = Nintendo Entertainment System
media = Compact Cartridges
requirements = NES and Aladdin Deck Enhancer
input =

The Aladdin Deck Enhancer, produced by Camerica, and developed by Codemasters, is a cartridge based system that allows software on Compact Cartridges to be played on the Nintendo Entertainment System, it is similar to the Datach system for the Famicom but without the Barcode feature.

Hardware

The Aladdin Deck Enhancer contains a bypass Security Circuit Chip, a Memory Control Chip, and a Graphics Chip [Aladdin Deck Enhancer's instructions brochure, side B, inside packaging] , which would work with the lock-out chip and other features inside the Nintendo Entertainment System. First the "Compact Cartridge" would be inserted into the "Aladdin Deck Enhancer" which is shaped the same as a standard "NES" cartridge, and then this would be inserted into the control deck. Inside the slot where the "Compact Cartridge" is placed there is a recessed switch, which changes the Security/Region settings from position A to position B [Aladdin Deck Enhancer's instructions brochure, side A, inside packaging] , it was released in November 1992.

The idea behind the Aladdin Deck Enhancer was to provide a cheaper means with which to make the game cartridges, mainly because each cartridge requires its own 10NES lock-out chip, RAM and extra circuitry. Camerica was one of the major purveyors of unlicensed NES games, so the Deck Enhancer was a logical creation for them. Also, since the slot for the actual game was much smaller, less material was needed to produce a cartridge. However by the time the product was released the Super NES and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis were already released and the product never had a large installed base to warrant a large amount of software. Camerica never recuperated from the release and shortly was forced to close down. This led to a small amount of game systems produced, which in turn made it a valuable collectible to many collectors that can be sold for a good price.

Codemasters' game "Dizzy Prince of the Yolkfolk" designed by the Oliver twins was enhanced for the NES this release and retitled "Dizzy the Adventurer" and originally bundled with the Aladdin released in November 1992. Only another six titles were ever released, all primarily from Codemasters' library. More titles were listed as "Coming Soon" [Aladdin Deck Enhancer's box, back side] , but never released as Aladdin cartridges. "CJ's Elephant Antics" wasn't released as a standalone game at all but was part of the "Quattro Arcade" NES cartridge which contained three other games. Aladdin games were typically identical to their standalone counterparts with a few exceptions. "The Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy" was the only one to receive any improvement, having a faster character, changed items system, and 250 instead of 100 stars to collect (other smaller things were changed as well). "Baseball Pros" on the "Quattro Sports" Aladdin cartridge seems to have a small problem. It always plays ten innings despite the score, rather than ending after nine when the score isn't tied.

Aladdin Deck Enhancer games

Each game for the Aladdin came in a small cardboard box with a punched out hole at its top for it to be hanged on a peg; inside instead of having the typical instruction booklet with many pages stapled together, they had a brochure/poster like instructions that folded out.

Big Nose Freaks Out

Linus Spacehead's Cosmic Crusade

Quattro Sports

Games announced but never released

* "Bee 52"
* "Big Nose the Caveman"
* "CJ's Elephant Antics"
* "DreamWorld Pogie"
* "F16 Renegade"
* "Go! Dizzy Go!"
* "Metal Man"
* "Mig 29 Soviet Fighter"
* "Stunt Kids"
* "Team Sports Basketball"
* "The Ultimate Stuntman"

See also

* List of Nintendo Entertainment System accessories

References