Sega Genesis Region-Free?

[BurningDoom]

I didn't think it was. But I have Sega Genesis Model 1. I have a Golden Axe cartridge that I've been playing for a quite while now. I noticed today that where I had always thought it said Genesis at a glance, it actually says "Mega Drive". It plays fine on my American Genesis, and all of my other Genesis games are "Genesis" games and play fine as well. As far as I know, it's never been modded, nor was I using a Game Genie or anything similar, however I did buy the system used, so you never know I guess.

Anyone know if I might have some rare Genesis model or if this particular game is region-free?

[Hobie-wan]

Some carts don't have a check in them and the only thing preventing you from using a foreign cart is the shape. Many Japanese MD games can be played on a US Genesis model 1 or 2 by using a Game Genie just to let you plug in the cart without having to enter any codes. The slot on a model 3 will let you plug J carts right in. The TMSS on later Genesis (you'd get the "produced by or under license from...) in conjunction with a check in some carts means they won't work. I imagine some PAL carts probably don't cooperate on US systems either. However I know PAL Super Fantasy Zone works fine.

A Japanese Rocket Knight Adventures cart will not 'just work' on a US system, but you can enter a Game Genie code and get it to work. There are other games that can be made to work with codes as well. Interestingly, I have a Japanese copy of Daisenpuu, but in my Genesis it displays a western Twin Hawk title screen.

[Breetai]

Pretty much every game from the start of 1993 and earlier is region-free. During 1993, the games started having region-locks on them.

[D.D.D.]

Some carts don't have a check in them and the only thing preventing you from using a foreign cart is the shape. Many Japanese MD games can be played on a US Genesis model 1 or 2 by using a Game Genie just to let you plug in the cart without having to enter any codes. The slot on a model 3 will let you plug J carts right in. The TMSS on later Genesis (you'd get the "produced by or under license from...) in conjunction with a check in some carts means they won't work. I imagine some PAL carts probably don't cooperate on US systems either. However I know PAL Super Fantasy Zone works fine.

A Japanese Rocket Knight Adventures cart will not 'just work' on a US system, but you can enter a Game Genie code and get it to work. There are other games that can be made to work with codes as well. Interestingly, I have a Japanese copy of Daisenpuu, but in my Genesis it displays a western Twin Hawk title screen.

What Hobie said; if it works, cool, if not, game genie.
Also, IIRC, the MegaDrive cart slot will take a Genesis cart with out trimming the slot, but not the other way around. But I think that doesn't matter if you're using a game genie anyways.

[Curlypaul]

You can fit a PAL or US game in the JPN slot, but if the Mega Drive has a cart lock mechanism attached to the on switch, then you wont be able to play it.

[Breetai]

I just trimmed the slot on my 32X. That way I didn't have to harm my HD Non-TMSS Genesis. I also have a Game Genie that works nicely for stuff that isn't region free.

[Ziggy]

Interestingly, I have a Japanese copy of Daisenpuu, but in my Genesis it displays a western Twin Hawk title screen.

I remember reading that some Genesis games have all the regions programmed into each game pak, it'll just load whatever region the console is set to.

[Breetai]

Interestingly, I have a Japanese copy of Daisenpuu, but in my Genesis it displays a western Twin Hawk title screen.

I remember reading that some Genesis games have all the regions programmed into each game pak, it'll just load whatever region the console is set to.

Neo Geo AES games do that too.

[Ziggy]

Yeah, NeoGeo CD as well. When I had mine, I fitted it with a NTSC-U/J switch. To choose English text or blood and gore in Metal Slug was always a tough choice.

Pretty sure there's some Genesis/Mega Drive games that are the same way. At least, I'm pretty sure I remember reading that.

[Breetai]

Yeah, NeoGeo CD as well. When I had mine, I fitted it with a NTSC-U/J switch. To choose English text or blood and gore in Metal Slug was always a tough choice.

Pretty sure there's some Genesis/Mega Drive games that are the same way. At least, I'm pretty sure I remember reading that.

Yeah, I forgot to mention the NGCD. It's the same way for sure.

Some of the older Genny/MD games have both modes built in. I'm not really sure which, though. I've never really bothered to test or research it.