HELP! How to bypass Genesis/Mega Drive security lock-outs.

[dreamcaster]

I recently picked up Art of Fighting, Samurai Shodown and Super Street Fighter II for the US Genesis.

They won't work with my HoneyBee import converter on my PAL Mega Drive. I get the usual: "For use only on NTSC Genesis" message.

My question: Is there anyway to get around this? Or will I be forced to import an NTSC-U Genesis?

Thanks!

[Push Upstairs]

Region Mod it.

However your NTSC games will not show up in color on a PAL MD & TV unless you have it hooked up via RGB.

But if you don't wanna go that route then Genesis systems are dirt cheap here in the US.

[anagrama]

The double-switch mod is a piece of cake as long as you know which end of the soldering iron is the hot one. There's a very detailed .pdf guide on the Gamefaqs Genesis Hardware page.
Also, contrary to what Push Upstairs said, NTSC games will play in colour on a modded MD, it's only if you were using an NTSC console that you would have problems (and again, RGB solves the problem entirely).

Alternatively you can get one of the convertor carts - you'll need either one with dipswitches to select the region, or an Pro Action Replay 2.

[dreamcaster]

Hmm, I'm not to keen on modding. :/

However, would these Genesis games function on a Japanese Mega Drive using the HoneyBee converter?

I ask this because I have a better chance of getting an NTSC-J MD, as opposed to an NTSC-U Genesis (which never appear on eBay Australia).

[anagrama]

Hmm, I'm not to keen on modding. :/

However, would these Genesis games function on a Japanese Mega Drive using the HoneyBee converter?

I ask this because I have a better chance of getting an NTSC-J MD, as opposed to an NTSC-U Genesis (which never appear on eBay Australia).

I think Genesis games should be OK on a JP Mega Drive with a bridge convertor, but later releases may be region-locked.

And if there's no NTSC-U consoles on eBay Australia, then why not use eBay.com instead? There's hundreds on there. I think I paid about $8 + shipping for my Genesis 1.

However, I will stress again that the double-switch mod is very straightforward and offers 100% worldwide compatibility (and lets you play everything in 60Hz aswell). It's certainly one of the easiest mods I've tried. I've had no complaints from my switched MD in the 2 years or so since I modded it.

[dreamcaster]

And if there's no NTSC-U consoles on eBay Australia, then why not use eBay.com instead? There's hundreds on there. I think I paid about $8 + shipping for my Genesis 1.

I don't have any direct way of buying stuff from overseas eBay, thanks to a lack of paypal.

However, if I get desperate enough, I have a friend who can buy one for me.


I think Genesis games should be OK on a JP Mega Drive with a bridge convertor, but later releases may be region-locked.

Hmm, is there anywhere/anyone that can confirm this?


However, I will stress again that the double-switch mod is very straightforward and offers 100% worldwide compatibility (and lets you play everything in 60Hz aswell). It's certainly one of the easiest mods I've tried. I've had no complaints from my switched MD in the 2 years or so since I modded it.

Hmm, I might check that out now.

[Push Upstairs]

Also, contrary to what Push Upstairs said, NTSC games will play in colour on a modded MD, it's only if you were using an NTSC console that you would have problems (and again, RGB solves the problem entirely).

That explains my confusion on the matter.


But regarding the NTSC-J vs NTSC US....anything made after...mmm, mid to late 1992 will require a system from the same country for it to operate.

"Streets of Rage 2" will not play on Japan setting and "Bare Knuckle 2" will not operate on the US setting. "Streets of Rage" will come up as "Bare Knuckle" on Japan setting

All the games i have from 1991 and before work on either setting. On some games, like Mystic Defender, alot changes when you switch from US to Japan (mostly the sprites)

[dreamcaster]

Meh.

I'm just going with an NTSC-U unit.

My friend's going to get me one off US Ebay, and failing that, I'm sure someone on DP here can sell me one cheaply.

[Amy Rose]

Meh.

I'm just going with an NTSC-U unit.

My friend's going to get me one off US Ebay, and failing that, I'm sure someone on DP here can sell me one cheaply.
Yes, I'll get it for you, but only if you let me play my copy of Bubble And Squeak on it! I'm having nightmares that after 8 years of searching for it, it will have the same problem we had with your Genesis games. :(

[dreamcaster]

Meh.

I'm just going with an NTSC-U unit.

My friend's going to get me one off US Ebay, and failing that, I'm sure someone on DP here can sell me one cheaply.
Yes, I'll get it for you, but only if you let me play my copy of Bubble And Squeak on it! I'm having nightmares that after 8 years of searching for it, it will have the same problem we had with your Genesis games. :(

Well, as has been said in this thread, it depends how old it is.

[anagrama]

Well, as has been said in this thread, it depends how old it is.

Not entirely - there was no region-lock on Sega-published games before mid '93, but not all games after that use it (for example, Sonic 3D [1996] is universal).
3rd Party games are even more hit & miss, usuaually depending on the publisher - some (eg EA, Acclaim, Virgin) are universal, but others (eg Konami, Codemasters, SunSoft) are region-specific.

[Push Upstairs]

I could never get "Road Rash 2" to work on my "Japan system".

It wasnt region locked (not that know of) it just would freeze at the logo animation and never go anywhere after that.

A chap US system modded to play Jap and US games is the only way to go. 8-)

[anagrama]

A chap US system modded to play Jap and US games is the only way to go. 8-)

That won't let you play any region-locked PAL games, though. A double-switch modded system that allows you to select between JP, US or PAL settings (and toggle 50/60Hz for any region) is the real way to go ;)

[Push Upstairs]

But he has a PAL MD already, so there really wouldnt be any reason to MOD for PAL if the point was to get an NTSC system to play both Japanese and US games.

I do agree the double switch is the way to go, even if i cannot use the 50/60 switch.

[dreamcaster]

Bah.

I've decided to put my plans on hold. Getting a US Genesis is no problem, but paying for the shipping here (about $20 US), is.

I don't have a job, so I can't justify myself to pay that much just play three games (as awesome as they may be).

I'll wait 'til after christmas when ebay dies down. Plus I'd still like to get my hands on a Game Gear to replace my busted one :(

But thanks a lot for your help guys! It's appreciated. :)