![](https://www.dragonslairfans.com/news/starblade_vs_galaxian3.jpg)
Because I want *so badly* to help as much as I can the understanding of the Galaxian3 hardware, here's the comparison between the Starblade boards (Namco System 21) and Galaxian3 (Namco System 21 'custom'?).
Fortunately, I own all the boards from both games
![Tongue :P](http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
Let's start with few of them first (I don't want to have a room full of boards
![Roll Eyes ::)](http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/Smileys/default/rolleyes.gif)
)...
![](https://www.dragonslairfans.com/G3/emulator/starblade_galaxian3_1_small.jpg)
Note : you can click on all pictures from this post for a 'big size' picture
1. DSP board :![](https://www.dragonslairfans.com/G3/emulator/starblade_galaxian3_2_small.jpg)
UP : Starblade DSP board
DOWN : Galaxian3 board
Hey, they seem to be ... the same board
![Tongue :P](http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
Yes, the board is exactly the same... see the reference on it :
For Starblade ![arrow :arrow:](http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/Smileys/default/icon_arrow.gif)
For Galaxian3 ![arrow :arrow:](http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/Smileys/default/icon_arrow.gif)
![](https://www.dragonslairfans.com/G3/emulator/starblade_galaxian3_4_small.jpg)
Now, the differences, regarding the settings :
For Starblade no EPROM at position 1F, 1K1, 1N
![arrow :arrow:](http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/Smileys/default/icon_arrow.gif)
For Galaxian3 there are EPROMs at position 1F, 1K1, 1N
![arrow :arrow:](http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/Smileys/default/icon_arrow.gif)
![](https://www.dragonslairfans.com/G3/emulator/starblade_galaxian3_6_small.jpg)
Now, see the difference between the jumpers position :
Starblade Galaxian3
JP3 VCC GND
JP4 GND VCC
all the jumpers are set in the same position.
100% the same board, but not populated the same (*)
(*) : Well, because it's a 'spare' Starblade board, maybe the EPROMs have been removed. I'll check on the DPS board *inside* my working Starblade game.