Sega games are few and far between in my collection, and I have a Viper new to me that sometimes acts a little weird. Not sure if there are some common issues that need to be addressed in games like this. Symptoms are intermittent, usually the game plays fine upon power cycle. What I've seen is:

1. Game boots & plays, but no sounds.
2. Game does not boot, acts as if resetting itself.

Then, like I said, it'll play fine for many games.

Also my sound is incredibly screechy & tinny sounding, especially from the left speaker. To my surprise there was no right speaker even though there is a grill, and it appears factory. The left speaker is marked Sega 031-5004-00, and the sound rom is dated 2/24/98

The ROM is verified as most recent. I listened to a handful of other Viper games on YouTube and definitely think mine is tinny sounding, especially when the car is peeling out. Like nails on chalkboard