Switched MD/Mega CD Question

[losersclub]

Just wondered if anyone can help me with this please, i currently have a Asian PAL megadrive with switches for region and 60hz fitted, i'm looking to get a mega cd 1 to go with it and was wondering - will i be able to play japanese games if i get a pal one due to the switches fitted in my megadrive?
Or will i have to buy a jap mega cd?

Thanks!

James

[Phar]

I think the Mega CD region is locked, it does a check on startup to make sure your Megadrives the same region, only way to connect a PAL unit and play JPN games on it would be to buy a MegaCart or CDX or get it modded with a multi-bios.

[Team Andromeda]

The switches on the MD will make no difference at all sorry mate . What ever region Mega CD one buy's , is the region the Mega CD games will be locked too.

Get the Mega Cart , its cheap and works a treat on Mega CD or even the Multi Mega

[losersclub]

Balls!

Cheers guys i'll look into getting the cart or a jap unit then

[losersclub]

Actually thinking about it, am i even able to use a Jap mega cd with my switched MD? Or i will i only be able to use a pal one?

[Phar]

I think as long as you set your MD to JPN 60hz it should work fine as the Mega CD will think it's got a JPN MD connected, it's just that the switches on your MD won't effect the Mega CD for playing other region games. So if you set it to US 60hz the Mega CD won't boot unless you buy a MegaCart to get round the region lockout.

I'm thinking about getting my JPN MD & CD modded with the multi-bios, works out about the same price as a MegaCart, obviously you'd only have to mod the Mega CD so it may work out even cheaper. I think Chaoticjelly and Andy at console passion both do the mod.

[samanosuke]

I'd go for the Mega Cart over a multi bios. It has other features such as RAM backup (essential IMO unless you have a few RAM carts) and you can flash ROMs to it via CD, which is a great way to play Eliminate Down or English patched games. Another advantage is that it works with a Multi Mega in case you decide to buy one to save some space, or if your Mega CD packs up you won't have to transplant the multi bios to another machine. Also the Megacart allows you to boot into any region at either 50hz or 60hz.

If you have both switches fitted to your MD it won't matter which region Mega CD you get as they'll all work so long as the switches are set to the correct region on boot up. Unless you have a Mega Cart of course, in which case it won't matter which region the switches are set to.

[Phar]

Do you need the utility disc to make use of the cart, read something on their site about Mega CD 1's not working with cd-rs, or does the one you get with the cart come on a pressed cd.

[Team Andromeda]

The disc comes with the cart , or you just download your own and flash it , its a piece of cake , and it works with cd-r , just burn it as slow as possible

[samanosuke]

You only need to use the utility disc to copy ROMs to the cart. You can get any region ISO from the Tototek website and, contrary to what the website says, the disc works fine with a Mk 1 MCD.