Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

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skykappah
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Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by skykappah »

You know both being NTSC and all. Same question the other way round as well.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by ninn »

Simple answer: No.

Region locked genesis games will not work on JPN Mega Drives.

Region Locked Mega Drive games will not fit into a Genesis.
If you remove the tabs on the side, it would fit, but still not work.


Inside the MegaDrive are two jumpers: Mhz (50/60hz) and Region (Jp/En). With the right settings you get a JPN system (60hz, jp), with another setting you get US System (60hz, us). It is not solely about being NTSC, there is this another jumper that sets the region.

It is an easy hack to modify the system. It is just cutting a trace and soldering an wire, if you do not need a switch.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by gundarN »

Can't say for sure about US games, but there are plenty of PAL games work fine on a Japanese model.
Alisia Dragoon, Empire of Steel, Splatterhouse 3 (I think) and some others.
It's more typically European originated games that are region locked:
Chaos Engine, Sensible Soccer, Red Zone, Subterrania.
Not really tested that many as I have a modified Asian MD, as well as a Japanese one.
Could be that some US work, some don't.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by skykappah »

Hmm I may seek out a Genesis in the near future then. Thanks for your answers guys.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by ninn »

If you get an everdrive, you will not have to worry about cartridges and/or regionlocks anymore.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by skykappah »

Yeah I will in the future. But I'm back collecting for my Mega Drive after a very long break!! Gonna buy a rare game every week or two.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by ninn »

then get a jpn or asian model hacked with some region/speed switches.

If you instead opting for a genesis, you will have trouble with the cart as it is too wide to insert.

cables and controllers are all compatible. so you can get a barebone without much risk.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by skykappah »

ninn wrote:then get a jpn or asian model hacked with some region/speed switches.

If you instead opting for a genesis, you will have trouble with the cart as it is too wide to insert.

cables and controllers are all compatible. so you can get a barebone without much risk.
I have a Japanese MD unmodded. It came with a cartridge convertor that sits at the top. I have been looking at the modded MD's though. Most likely will get one like... today!
Last edited by skykappah on December 14th, 2012, 2:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by ninn »

:thumbup: :twisted: :thumbupright:
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by Paulie »

skykappah wrote:You know both being NTSC and all. Same question the other way round as well.
I have a Genesis 3 and yes JPN games work on it out of the box but NOT region locked games. The Genesis 3 has a bigger cart slot than the G1 & 2 so JPN games fit and play without issue. IIRC VR and maybe a few others don't work at all though, picture is not as good too so I would avoid this model.

I also have a Genesis 2 but I've never tried running JPN games on that as the slot is same size as on the pal model so games won't fit without an adapter.

Cheapest way to play everything is to get a pal MD and mod it
1. Widen the cart slot
2. 50/60htz switch
3. ENG/JPN language switch
Also you need to get a RGB scart lead otherwise it will the picture will be B&W

Dead easy, I've personally done those mods in the past and I'm poop at soldering. Loads of great guides out there IIRC I used the mmmonkey guide
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by skykappah »

Language switch? Tell more. Didn't know there was such a thing.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by ninn »

actually, it is a region switch. it does not change the language at all.

Image

There you see the solderpoints (and cut traces), that when connected in a right way, will give the game the impression it is a ntsc Japanese megadrive, whereas connected differently, it may be a pal unit. and so on.

that cables are normally connected to two switches. thats all the magic.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by Paulie »

ninn wrote:actually, it is a region switch. it does not change the language at all.
Sorry if my post was a little misleading, it doesn't change the language per say but for example a ENG Streets of rage will have a Bare Knuckle title screen if switched to JPN
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by DandySephy »

It'll also have Japanese text on the story roll. It varies between games, but basically all the early Sega published games will have Japanese and English regions on the same cart. For example the Toaplan games like Fire Shark and Truxton are published by Sega and can be switched to Same Same Same and Tatsujin.

Third party publishers, not so much.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by wigsplitta »

I can confirm the above with regards to the Japanese cartridge of Streets of Rage II / Bare Knuckle II :awe:

1 x Console and Cartridge
2 x Switches
3 x Differences!

Config 1 - Doesn't work at all!
Image

Config 2 - Japanese text and 'Bare Knuckle'
Image
Image

Config 3 - English text and 'Streets of Rage'
Image
Image
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by Paulie »

Yes it's quite cool just going through your games and seeing what do what.

Some pal games are region locked too. I know if you put a pal SF2 cart in and try to switch to JPN region you get a red or blue (can't remember as it was ages ago when I tried) screen and some text that says something to the effect of "only for use with pal or seacam mega drive consoles" similar to wigsplittas 1st pic
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by Hewitson »

With many region locked games after you've booted them you can then change the region to your choice.

The B&W issue can be gotten around by cutting the crystal input pin to the video encoder and supplying a PAL crystal oscillator.
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by ninn »

Just for the lulz, this is my "region hacked" Tatsujin.

Image

It's a snug fit now and plays fine in PAL Mega Drive and Genesis Units, while displaying "Truxton" on the tilescreen there. How could I forget about this :-o

Must have once belonged to a heavily built butcher with inadequate fine motor skills. :lolno:
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by Braintrash »

ninn wrote: Image
No lulz, just tears. :cry:
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Re: Do region locked Genesis games work on Jpn MD's?

Post by skykappah »

I didn't know that some carts contained both langauges. :oops: Though it makes total sense now. :)


And the Tatsujin "mod" when did you do that?! :-o Please say you were aged 10 at the time! :lol:
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