Region codes

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Starting with the release of PAL models of the Sega Master System in 1986, Sega labelled the consoles with a product code which also included a region code in order to reflect specific hardware requirements for each region. The main differences between countries were generally related to the RF modulator, specifically the colour encoding and broadcast system (PAL-I / PAL-G / NTSC etc) along with the RF output channel, which had to be on an unused frequency which often varied between countries. Some countries also had stricter requirements on RF shielding which resulted in extra shielding in German models for example. The region codes were later also extended to software. It is an extension of the system which first started in Japan, and applies to most regions of the world not directly covered by Sega of Japan or Sega of America. Neither was it used by other manufacturers such as Tec Toy or Samsung who had the exclusive distribution rights to their respective regions.

This article describes the most common form of product region codes when dealing with Sega products. Others exist but were not as widely practised. This particular form has never been used by Sega of Japan or Sega of America (although it was used in Canada whilst Irwin Electronics had the distribution rights). However, with the region codes "01" and "02" remaining unused, it would seem likely that these were reserved internally for Sega of Japan and Sega of America respectively. Whilst region codes weren't used prior to the Sega Master System, the SC-3000 Service Manual notes the various differences between models for different countries which have direct equivalences with the region codes used with later hardware releases.

Regions are identified by the last three digits of Sega product codes. Most common format is the following:

First-Party:

MK-XXXYYY-ZZ

Third-Party:

T-XXXYYY-ZZ

in which green symbolises the First-Party MK-Series Code or Third-Party T-Series Code, and purple dictates the region. The amount of numbers may vary, and some codes lack the "MK-" or "T-". Often European country codes only apply to packaging - the cartridges or discs may be identical to other European releases. In some cases European product codes are identical to those used in North America.

Identifying region codes is vital for documenting Sega game releases. Games can vary between regions of the world for language, marketing or censorship purposes. Many databases fail to take these attributes into account.

Pre-Dreamcast

Code	Region	Notes	Examples
03	Australia	Some software releases.	Master System hardware "PAL-B(VV)", Lord of the Sword, Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord, Ys: Ancient Ys Vanished Omen
04	New Zealand		Master System hardware "PAL-B(VE)"
05	United Kingdom		Master System hardware "PAL-I"
06	Spain	Sometimes paired with Italy.	Master System hardware "PAL-G"
07	South East Asia		Master System / Mega Drive Hardware "PAL-B(VE)"
08	South Korea	Came into use with the Sega Saturn
09	France		Master System hardware "RGB FR."
10	Unknown		Master System hardware "PAL-G"
11	Hong Kong		Master System / Mega Drive hardware "PAL-I"
13	Italy		Master System hardware "PAL-G"
15	China		Master System / Mega Drive hardware "PAL-D"
16	Taiwan		Sega Pico Hardware
18	Germany	Previously West Germany	Master System hardware "PAL-G"
19	Soviet Union		Master System hardware "SECAM"
20	The Netherlands		Master System hardware "PAL-G"
21	United Arab Emirates / Gulf		Master System hardware "PAL-G"
22	Canada	Label says "CANADA"	Master System hardware "NTSC"
24	Nordic		Master System hardware "PAL-G"
25	Unknown	Mostly seen in Germany. Possibly East Germany or non-French speaking cantons of Switzerland.	Master System hardware "PAL-G"
26	Switzerland (Romandy)	French speaking cantons	Master System hardware "RGB SW."
27	South Africa		Master System hardware "PAL-I"
33	Turkey		Master System hardware "PAL-G"
39	Saudi Arabia		Master System hardware "NTSC"
40	Asia	Not including Japan and South Korea
50	Europe	Used for non-localised European content.

Dreamcast

Code	Region	Notes	Examples
27	France/Spain
29	Germany	Alternative to -18	Worms Armageddon
45	Brazil
50	Europe	Used for non-localised European content.
51	Germany/France/The Netherlands		Gauntlet Legends, Marvel vs. Capcom
53	United Kingdom/France/Germany	Alternative to -50	Time Stalkers
55	The Netherlands
56	United Kingdom/Italy		Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
58	Germany/France/The Netherlands		Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2, Pen Pen
59	France/The Netherlands		Fur Fighters, V-Rally 2: Expert Edition
60	Italy/Spain		Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
61	United Kingdom/Spain/Italy		Gauntlet Legends, Pen Pen
64	United Kingdom/France/Germany		Wetrix Plus, Wild Metal
71	United Kingdom/France/Germany/Spain	Alternative to -50	Conflict Zone
72	France/Spain	Sometimes alternative to -50	Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Conflict Zone
74	United Kingdom/Germany/Italy/The Netherlands		Stupid Invaders
75	France/Spain/Italy		Disney's Donald Duck Quack Attack
76	United Kingdom/Spain/The Netherlands		Deadly Skies, ESPN International Track & Field
77	Germany/France/Italy		Deadly Skies
78	Scandinavia
79	France/The Netherlands/Italy/Spain		Worms Armageddon
80	France (with English language)		Evil Dead: Hail to the King
81	Spain/Portugal/Italy		V-Rally 2: Expert Edition
82	Germany/The Netherlands		Looney Tunes: Space Race
83	France/Germany		Dragon's Blood
87	Germany/France/Italy		ESPN International Track & Field
88	United Kingdom/Spain		Evil Dead: Hail to the King
89	United Kingdom/France/Germany/Sweden/Finland		NHL 2K
91	United Kingdom/The Netherlands		Le Mans 24 Hours
92	France/Italy		Silver
97	United Kingdom/Spain/Italy/Portugal/The Netherlands		Record of Lodoss War

Other consoles have different methods. For example, Nintendo currently employs a coloured triangle system.