"Multi-Region" Mega Drive Version 2.0 "Multi-Region" Mega Drive Matthew Neilson June 13, 2004 Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Adding Switches to your Mega Drive 3 2.1 What you Need . 3 2.2 Opening up your Mega Drive . 4 2.3 How the Switches Work . 6 2.4 Building the Switches . 6 2.4.1 Language Switch . 6 2.4.2 50Hz / 60Hz Switch . 7 2.5 Fitting the Switches . 7 2.6 Widening the Cartridge Slot . 8 2.7 Congratulations! . 8 3 Frequently Asked Questions 9 Why do I need to make my Mega Drive multi-region? . 9 Why are some Mega Drive games locked out? . 9 How does the lock-out system work? . 9 What is a bridge adapter, how does it work, and why doesn’t it allow me to play all import games? 9 What is a `Universal Adapter'?................................... 10 What about the Game Genie / Pro Action Replay? . 10 Whats the big deal with 50Hz PAL? . 10 Why is my picture black and white? . 11 Why am I experiencing slowdown in 60Hz NTSC mode? . 12 Is there any way to minimise (or, even better, eliminate) slowdown? . 12 Can I play locked out European games in 60Hz NTSC mode? . 12 I plugged one of my English games into a Japanese Mega Drive, and it now plays in Japanese - why? 13 Which games use lock-out technology? . 13 Is it true that widening the cartridge slot makes my console multi-region? . 13 I heard that the very first run of Mega Drive consoles had no region lockout. Is this true? . 13 Is there any way to make my Mega Drive change its region automatically? . 13 Is there such a thing as a `lock-out chip'?............................. 14 What about the licensing screen which appears upon powering up the console? . 14 My modified Mega Drive / Genesis has slightly different jumper connections to those outlined in the guide, yet it still works. Why? . 15 c 2002-2004 Matthew Neilson ([email protected]) 1 Constructed using TEXShop, the LATEX frontend for Mac OS X "Multi-Region" Mega Drive Version 2.0 Why are the printed traces on my Genesis different from the "US" setting shown in the guide? . 15 On my board, JP1 and JP2 are in a different area from JP3 and JP4. How do I modify this console? 16 My board has a capacitor across one of the four jumpers. How do I proceed? . 16 Does modifying my console allow me to play any Sega/Mega CD game? . 16 Are there any guides for modifying a Mega Drive / Genesis `mark 2', a Nomad, or a Genesis 3? . 17 4 Recommended Japanese Import Games 17 5 Credits 19 6 Disclaimer 20 1 Introduction By definition, an ’import’ is something which has been brought in from a foreign country. In gaming terms, the world is split into three main territories: Europe, America and Japan. If you want to guarantee success with playing import Mega Drive games, you have three options - 1. Buy a console from each region (takes up lots of space, but if you’re a collector this may be the ideal solution). 2. Buy a universal pass-through adapter which allows you to select a specific region (note that a simple bridge adapter will not suffice - you actually require an adapter with ’region switches’). 3. Modify your console by building region-switches, making it multi-region (easily achieved on a Mega Drive 1, and also possible on a Mega Drive 2; this is my preferred option due to its neatness - once modified, your Mega Drive can play anything!). Any of the above will save you from worrying about compatibility issues when buying import games. This document is intended to give you detailed step-by-step instructions for the latter option, namely modifying your Mega Drive / Genesis ’model 1’ console such that it can play import games. The console used to demonstrate this procedure is a European Mega Drive, although this guide is 100% compatible with any region of Mega Drive / Genesis. Owners of a PAL Mega Drive are strongly advised to modify their console for 60Hz gameplay - games will run 20% faster (that is, at their intended speed), AND full-screen (no more crushed graphics!). People seem to get very apprehensive when it comes to opening up their Mega Drive - don’t be, the modification is incredibly simple and the benefits of 60Hz gameplay are remarkable. Before attempting anything on your console, you should first read through the entire guide and make sure that you are absolutely clear of what needs to be done. If you have any doubts, please feel free to Email me - I’ll be happy to help you, and any input will help improve this guide. Similarly, if you notice any typos, please Email me and I will update the guide. c 2002-2004 Matthew Neilson ([email protected]) 2 Constructed using TEXShop, the LATEX frontend for Mac OS X "Multi-Region" Mega Drive Version 2.0 2 Adding Switches to your Mega Drive Well, there’s my switched Mega Drive - damn, it looks good! Notice the switches at the bottom left, just next to the volume control. It is possible to play any game from any region on this console. Follow these instructions to make your Mega Drive / Genesis multi-region - regardless its country of origin. Note that this guide is only intended for use with the original model 1 Mega Drive1. 2.1 What you Need You will need the following: 1. A screwdriver 2. Some long wire 3. A soldering iron 4. Solder 5. A sharp knife 6. Two SPDT switches 7. An RGB SCART lead c 2002-2004 Matthew Neilson ([email protected]) 3 Constructed using TEXShop, the LATEX frontend for Mac OS X "Multi-Region" Mega Drive Version 2.0 Figure 2.1: Mega Drive flipped upside down. Note that Figure 2.2: Mega Drive opened in the correct manner, the six screws holding the machine together are located with no strain being put on the "power on" LED. around the perimeter of the case. 2.2 Opening up your Mega Drive First of all, turn your Mega Drive upside down (as in Figure 2.1), and unscrew the six screws on the bottom of the machine. Now turn your Mega Drive over such that it is in the normal ’playing’ position, and slowly lift the top casing as shown in Figure 2.2. Be careful of the wires that connect to the red "power on" LED. To disconnect the wires, simply bend the LED legs so they’re straight, and pull the connector off. When it comes to reconnecting the LED, note that one LED leg is longer than the other - the red wire attaches to the longer leg. Alternatively, you could write R[ed] and W[hite] next to the legs - it’s inside the case so it’s not like anyone will see it. Bear in mind that your Mega Drive won’t have the red wires shown at the left hand side of Figure 2.2 (yet). Now unscrew the screws that hold down the shielding. Don’t forget about the gold screw on top! NOTE: Once you’ve finished, remember to put the shielding and casing back to the way they were! Be sure to match up the "on" switch and the volume control on the casing with their corresponding parts on the circuit board when putting the upper casing back on. Once the shielding is removed, you should see something similar to Figure 2.3 (minus the extra red wires, of course!). You’re now ready to perform the modification. Figure 2.4 shows a blow-up of the section we are most interested in on the circuit board of this particular Mega Drive (located in the bottom-right of the circuit board shown in Figure 2.3). There are four sets of jumper switches labeled "JP1", "JP2", "JP3", and "JP4" (as in Figures 2.4 and 2.5). Working from left to right for JP1 through to JP4, each solder point has been denoted a number from ’1’ to ’8’, respectively - this simply makes referencing somewhat easier later on. Take a sharp knife, and cut a straight line through 1If your Mega Drive has a volume control and a headphone jack, it is a "Model 1" Mega Drive. c 2002-2004 Matthew Neilson ([email protected]) 4 Constructed using TEXShop, the LATEX frontend for Mac OS X "Multi-Region" Mega Drive Version 2.0 Figure 2.3: The inside of a Mega Drive once its shielding had been removed. 1 2 JP1 3 4 JP2 5 6 JP3 7 8 JP4 Figure 2.4: A magnification of the section of the board Figure 2.5: The diagram corresponding to Figure 2.4, in Figure 2.3 containing the necessary jumper switches. where each ’end’ of the four jumpers has been labeled. the middle of the jumpers (the dotted line in the Figure 2.5 represents the area you need to cut). You’ll need to cut quite far into the board - but don’t over do it! Those of you with access to a multimeter may use this to determine whether or not you have cut sufficiently deep. Throughout the Mega Drive’s life, there were many different circuit board revisions. In some versions, the jumpers may be found at a different part of the board from the one shown above; in others, the same jumpers may be laid out in a different order. As such, your Mega Drive’s circuit board may look slightly different from the one shown in this guide.