Region-Mod on Pimp my retro handheld

Playstation 2 : new lens / silent fan / FreeHDBoot

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:28:20 +0000

Some time ago, I had the chance to buy a used PlayStation 2 for cheap because it was sold as “defective.” In fact, the console was unable to read any discs, whether DVD or CD. I thought that wouldn’t be a problem, as installing FreeHDBoot is easy, and replacing the DVD lens should be straightforward and inexpensive. It turned out I was right—except for the lens replacement.

Here is the story of my upgraded PS2, featuring a new DVD lens, a silent fan, and FreeHDBoot…

Sega Master System FM sound expansion module

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 20:09:47 +0000

Adding an FM sound expansion module to a Sega Master System to reproduce the Yamaha audio capability of the Japanese Sega Mark III.

PSOne bios replacement (PSX-XBoo)

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:13:29 +0000

Replacing a Japanese PSone BIOS with PSX-XBoo to address region restrictions after a compatible modchip installation.

Converting a PAL Nintendo 64 motherboard to NTSC

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 20:58:31 +0000

Like many consoles of its generation, the Nintendo 64 is zoned. That is to say, each of the 3 usual regions (NTSC / Japan, NTSC / USA, PAL / Europe) had a specific model that could only play same region’s cartridges. In fact, NTSC regions share the same hardware and the protection is only physical (like the Megadrive and Snes) : a simple piece of plastic that could easily be removed. But The PAL model has a different hardware, including a specific region check chip (PIF-NUS) and video encoder to output a (obviously) PAL video signal.

Homemade consolized Neo Geo MVS

Thu, 19 May 2022 21:34:31 +0000

A home-built consolized Neo Geo MVS project: arcade hardware adapted for use as a home console.

MegaCD 2 : region free bios install

Sat, 08 Jan 2022 18:43:38 +0000

The Mega CD (1 or 2) is region locked. Unlike the Megadrive, the region check is not done in hardware, but directly in the BIOS. It means that all MegaCD are (almost) identifcals but a different BIOS has been installed for each region (EUR / USA / JAP). There is basicaly two ways to get another BIOS : loading one from an everdrive or replacing the original BIOS by a region free one. I have at least one game that does not work with a BIOS loaded from an everdrive : “Soul Star”. Moreover, I find it more convenient to launch CD games directly. IMHO, the worst BIOS version is the EUR because it is locked at 50Hz. The JAP one is told to be “the best” because it is said to have some unique features / API needed for some JAP games, but I do not know any game in that case. So The best option seems to be the USA version with its english text menus.

Sega Megadrive : switchless region mod

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 20:32:38 +0000

The Sega Megadrive for PAL regions, like other consoles from the 90’, suffered from slow games because of 50hz TV, thus 50 fps max versus 60Hz, thus 60 fps max in NTSC regions. Some later games had been “optimized” for 50HZ and in this case, you must take the japanese or US version to play in 60 fps (e.g : Sonic 3, Street of rage 2 and 3). However, a lot of games work out of the box in 60Hz even if they have been tagged “PAL”. This is the purpose of the switchless mod : changeing the region code and the TV output standard of a PAL console. If you are used to solder, this mod is simple, cheap (around 10 euros), and it’s a real game changer for the PAL Megadrive, allowing to play all US and Japanenes games as well as most PAL games in 60Hz.