Sega Megadrive Multi-region Mod - Part 1 of 2

More information: http://www.zipplet.co.uk/index.php/content/electronics_megadrive1mod

I modded my PAL Sega Megadrive to allow me to change between 3 regions - Europe, Japan and USA. Rather than use the common method of fitting ugly slide switches to the console, I programmed a PIC microcontroller and fitted a single push button to the back of the case. A bi-colour power LED replaces the normal power LED to show the current region. An RGB SCART cable is used for video.
Sorry about the TV flicker, I will try to take a better video at a friends house with his LCD TV :)

Update: I have a guide to allow full colour output in the 60hz mode via composite/RF: http://www.zipplet.co.uk/index.php/content/electronics_mdpal60

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• sega
• megadrive
• multi
• free
• region
• mod
• modification

[1dosucol1]

I don't understand why you've installed a switch,as the whole point in using the pic16f630 is so you can control all the region/language modes via the reset button.

You can also do a cheap version of the switchless mod with only 1 74hc74 IC .

[mnprg]

@1dosucol1 The point of using the seperate button is that I did not want it all integrated into the reset button. I could have done that if I wished.

[1dosucol1]

@mnprg So you've wasted money on the pic ,as you can do the multi region/language mod with just one switch !So the pic was used for nothing .

[mnprg]

@1dosucol1 Not quite, as I change between *3* regions (60hz jap/usa) and I wanted a single button, and the LED to change colour, and memory of the last mode between power down/up with a 'soft' button.

I could have duplicated this (soft button, LED colour) using various other ICs but then I would not have memory between power down/power up.

[CidSilverWing]

Is it just me or did the game run a quarter slower than regular PAL?

[mnprg]

@CidSilverWing Might just be you - it doesn't :)

[xtrance25]

i remember my old Megadrive model 1. Was bought in Thailand and a friend of my dads friend modded it to run PAL games. It was switchless and had some autofeature that made every game run in 60Hz. Too bad i sold it years ago :(. Remember when i bought Street Fighter 2 CE (PAL). At first it didnt work but after a second mod it also worked flawlessly.

[hyper45]

I live in the uk and i have a sega megadrive and it plays pal games only. If i want to play us and japanesses games on my sega megadrive how do i play them.

[PaulHark9]

Dreamcast FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!