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I want my Genesis to be region free. Is there any way to just plain have the genesis play all region games or do I HAVE to have a switch set up? And the biggest question. Does this mess up the sega cd and 32x?
I know for sure that overclocking the genesis stops you from using the addons but I use both addons and I dont want to lose them doing any mods.
sega cd should work only when the genesis is set to its original English+60hz region. It shows an error if attached to an imported genesis.
32x checks the RGB video output for 50/60hz. So it cannot tell apart English or Japanese (32x games affected by language, check the genesis alone).
Region switches have more uses than just lockout. They also change the content of some games. Effects like Streets of Rage > Bare Knuckle, Ghouls N Ghosts > Dai Makaimura, etc.
A few games are PAL optimized and no conventional means will make them play correct speed at 60hz.
Genesis regions are supported by Master System mode as well. With Power Base Converter you can Power Strike > Aleste, Cloud Master > Chuka Taisen...
It's an interesting idea though. How I could imagine it working is you have a primary region, say NTSC USA, and then if the console detects a game lockout it flips to whichever region is needed (Europe, Japan or Brazil) and resets the console. Perhaps a PIC with a database of all the game headers that require a region switch or something. It'd be an interesting project though probably more trouble than it's worth.
If you want to avoid installing switches, get a Super Mega Key:
http://www.retrogamecave.com/uploads...42353_orig.jpg
I toyed a little with the idea in this thread:Quote:
Originally Posted by Qjimbo
http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthr...esis-MegaDrive
I personally don't care for the look of switches on my systems. I use a switch-less set up. Just hold the reset button to cycle through regions on the genesis.
I don't think it's possible to create a region free Genesis, one where it auto detects what region to play in. You'd have to set up some logic hardware that monitored the cartridge bus for specific data, before the game even begins.
If you use the Everdrive MD, most of the games get the appropriate region
without some kind of database it is impossible to determine what region the game wants to be in. Install the switches or use megakey or everdrive or Game Genie and be happy :P
Even then, carts don't change the console's internal region. Out of luck if one faces issues caused by 50/60hz.
For that matter I'm not aware of language force codes.
Do you know if IRAQ WAR 2003 does not run with japanese MD + everdrive for that reason?
What is gained by making your Genesis region free?
Switch language easily in games that offer English and Japanese.Quote:
Originally Posted by WalterJ64bit
Some PAL games play better at 50hz speed.
Sega CD drives are region locked too. If for some reason you did import one, they won't load connected to a wrong region Genesis.
This is good to know, thanks!
I thought the consoles themselves were not region locked but the games were :S
I have a Genesis copy of The Lion King that works fine on my Pal Mega Drive (VA1.8 - yes I know its a bad board, I don't care :P), but other games that ARE region locked (mostly after 1993 if I'm not mistaken?) probably won't work
Even with the mega everdrive I need to use a region switch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Espio
Mega Drive hardware allows 4 regions (US, PAL, Japan, 50hz Japan). Games can be written to detect them.Quote:
Originally Posted by SILEeeles
But no licensed game or add-on was ever locked to 50hz Japan.
isn't that the "PAL Asian" mega drive I keep hearing about? Weren't those things deliberately set to 50hz by an outside company?
Yes i have seen a couple of japanese consoles modified to force 50hz (external oscillator and rf box added).
Something like that. As omp says, mega drive had no rf box in japan.
As I understand legit PAL consoles from Asia look japanese on the outside. but run like europe.