Sega Megadrive 2 - 60hz & Region Switch Mod

Myrddin

One of the guys from the Arcade & Retro (Saltour Sossiez, now Joe Musashi due to re-reg) was asking the best method to play Megadrive games @ 60hz. There was talk of buying an import Genesis with step down transformers etc which frankly bothered me So I offered to do the region switch mod gratis, to help out a fellow gamer

The mod itself is quite a simple premise. Lift two legs of the cpu off the pcb, and alternating between 5V and Ground at each leg gives either 50/60hz(Ground/5V) display output, and the other gives the region (ENG/JAP) language etc.

I chose not to lift legs off the pcb, purely because I'd rather not risk breaking them, escpecially when the unit isnt mine. I followed the relevent track off the pcb until it came to a pass through in the pcb, then isolated it, leaving a nice point to solder to instead of lifting the CPU legs. The information is already out there so I wont mention pins etc. Once done, wire the switches accordingly and choose an installation point. I chose the rear (to keep the unit looking stock) and over to the left as opposed to the right (incase the unit will ever be paired to a Mega Cd - the switches wont get in the way).

Testing the mod yields colour @ 50hz, and black & white @60hz (RF, Scart gives colour both ways). No Jap carts to test the language switch out though, but according to the multi-meter...its working I also removed the tabs on the cartridge slot, to allow a smooth entry for Jap carts. Now the unit is universal, for a fraction of the cost of importing one & using a step down.

Myrddin

Remainder of pics. Forgot to get a completed shot, maybe Joe you can take one and add it to the random photo thread, or here even.

TouchingVirus

Nice mod on a retro console, would like to see the finished shot, all back together with your little switch

weeder

would you be interested in doing similar to a snes?

Myrddin

Ive done my own Snes (50/60hz & Region Switch) and its a little trickier than the Megadrive...but yep Ill do it no prob. Pm if you like