Sega Genesis Importing Mega Drive Games How To

[finerion]

Hello there everyone. I just posted a quick video on how to play Japanese or PAL Sega Mega Drive games on your North American Sega Genesis. Check it out at my site, AlfredBonnabel.com.

This is episode 4 in a series I am doing called The Alfred Effect. Let me know what you guys think. Any feedback is appreciated.

[Frank_fjs]

How about mentioning other alternative (better) methods such as the Datel Universal Adapter & the Magic/Mega/Super keys (with the dip switches). They trump Game Genies IMO as you don't need to enter stupid codes. Oh, and then there's modding which is pretty easy on most Mega Drives.

[finerion]

True, the methods that you suggest are definitely other alternatives but the Game Genie is much easier to find in my experience. Plus you only have to enter codes for a handful of games that had region lockout chips such as Rockman Megaworld, Thunder Force IV, and Golden Axe 3. The link I provided in the show notes actually does mention several other alternatives but after much searching I have not had a great deal of luck in finding any of them. For a quick and easy way to play imports without modding I still think the Game Genie is the way to go.

Thanks for the feedback. Keep it coming.

[Frank_fjs]

Just sneaking in a quick question if I may, is the Game Genie bound to a particular region of console or does it fit/work on all of them (JAP/US/PAL)?

[finerion]

You know, I am not sure. That is a good question. I've never really thought about it. Let me know if you find any info on that because it may be something of interest for users with Mega Drives.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

That is pretty sweet man.  Thanks!!  I could find a Genny GameGenie lying around at a local thrift/ used game shop for $5 or less.  It might not be the best alternative for playing imports, but hell- its the best bet for gamers on a budget!

[SignOfZeta]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I could find 5 or 6 Game Genie's in my town for $3 or so. I haven't see a Mega Key in 15 years.

[finerion]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I could find 5 or 6 Game Genie's in my town for $3 or so. I haven't see a Mega Key in 15 years.

That's the great thing about this method. It is cheap and effective. To be honest I have not encountered a single Mega Drive cart that it has not worked with. Plus I don't have to worry about modding my system.

[Colossus1574]

um....correct me if i'm wrong...but wasn't it just a simple tab that u had to shave off inside the Genesis that would let you fit MegaDrive carts after? Cause that's all i did, and i was able to play import Strider, Monaco and others....The SNES/SuperFamicon practically had the same type of lock deterent I believe. 

[Opethian]

I think Bare Knuckle III, Alien Soldier, and Pulseman are region locked unless you use a Mega Key. There may be game genie codes to bypass that though.

[finerion]

um....correct me if i'm wrong...but wasn't it just a simple tab that u had to shave off inside the Genesis that would let you fit MegaDrive carts after? Cause that's all i did, and i was able to play import Strider, Monaco and others....The SNES/SuperFamicon practically had the same type of lock deterent I believe. 

In a way, that is correct. As @Opethian mentioned though, carts with region lock out chips will not work using a purely physical mod method. With the Game Genie you don't have to worry about any physical mod to the system and you can play the games with region lockout chips by entering the appropriate Game Genie codes. Check the show notes for my video and there will be a link to a site with the Game Genie and Action Replay codes needed.

The purpose of this method is to show one possible option. In my opinion, the Game Genie method is the best way to go for someone with no technical expertise or who does not want to mod their console.

[SignOfZeta]

Bypassing the physical lockout on a Genesis, IIRC, requires that you visibly hack up the system. On a N64 or SNES you can't even tell the mod has been done.