Region codes
From Sega Retro
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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[1] 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" | |
| 22 | Canada | Label says "CANADA" | Master System hardware "NTSC" |
| 24 | Nordic | Master System hardware "PAL-G" | |
| 25 | Unknown (East Germany?) | Mostly seen in Germany, on 1990 SMS1s | Master System hardware "PAL-G" |
| 26 | Switzerland | 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.