RegionCodeTable

A means of displaying how region encoding affects a game. This is only worth doing for cartridge-based systems, namely the Mega Drive, 32X and a select batch of Game Gear and Master System titles. Disc-based consoles will be completely region locked while SG-1000 games will doubtless be unoptimised for PAL units.

Use

{{RegionCodeTable|
| romregion=
| ntscj_image=
| ntscu_image=
| pal_image=
| ntscj_state=
| ntscu_state=
| pal_state=
}}

Possible states:

yes - works as expected
locked - region locked
unoptimised - game is unoptimised. This should also be used for graphical or audio glitches that detract from the experience, but don't stop the game from working.
broken - the game breaks horribly or hangs, rendering it unplayable
blank - blank screen, which could be a lock or it could be an error - we probably don't know.
partial - partially optimised.

For partially optimised games, more specifics are required, e.g.:

| pal_music=
| pal_fullscreen=
| pal_speed=

Answer yes or no, or leave blank if you're not sure.

The expectation is that unless a game was exclusive to PAL regions, all PAL games will be either unoptimised or only partially optimised. NTSC versions will only be unoptimised in select circumstances.

To add more information, use ntscj_desc, ntsu_desc or pal_desc.

The assumption is that there are three main regions to consider, NTSC-J, NTSC-U and PAL. In situations where the ROM is identical between two or more regions, it's a good idea to still specify these regions as this will help with database building (that is to say, don't use the GoodXXX naming scheme and start labeling ROMs as "W" for "WORLD", use "romregion=NTSC-U/PAL" or similar).

Note also: GoodXXX names are often wrong. If in doubt, make three tables.

If the game changes between regions but the ROM stays the same, (e.g. Cosmic Carnage becoming Cyber Brawl), do not dwell too much on the differences - that can be saved for comparisons sub-pages.

Examples

NTSC-J ROM

NTSC-J console

Works as expected.

NTSC-U console

Works as expected.

PAL console

Unoptimised.

(The NTSC-J version of Ecco II will boot on any system, but will run slower on PAL machines.)

NTSC-U ROM

NTSC-J console

Region locked.

NTSC-U console

Works as expected.

PAL console

Region locked.

(When a game is region locked, like the NTSC-U version, screenshots of the messages should be displayed.)

NTSC-J/NTSC-U/PAL ROM

NTSC-J console

Works as expected.

NTSC-U console

Works as expected.

PAL console

Partially optimised. Game speed: Unknown Music: Yes Full screen: No

(Sonic 2 runs slower on PAL machines, but the music has been changed to compensate. The ROM is identical between all three regions.)

PAL ROM

NTSC-J console

Broken. Demo is glitchy, menus are fine, but game crashes as soon as a normal race begins.

NTSC-U console

Broken. Demo is glitchy, menus are fine, but game crashes as soon as a normal race begins.

PAL console

Works as expected.

(Super Skidmarks doesn't work on NTSC machines, but no lockout screen appears to stop you from trying)

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