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Famicom Dojo Podcast - A History of Console Region Locking

ThatsOrange FamicomDojo @FamicomDojo Video Feed iTunes Chicklet
Episode 09

Famicom Dojo Podcast - 09: A History of Console Region Locking

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Region locking is nothing new. Though it has taken many different forms, it wasn't always deliberate. Many handhelds were exempt from this scheme (including the Game Boy and DS series), but all things change with time.

SeanOrange and Vinnk discuss the very state of affairs that necessitates the existence of organizations like Operation Rainfall, how they came to be, and where they might go from here.


Rebel in Japan: An Open Letter to Nintendo Vinnk entreats Nintendo to make the Wii (then codename "Revolution") region-free.


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Show Notes:

Region Locking (by console era)

8-bit (Third Generation): 16-bit (Fourth Generation):
  • Super Nintendo / Super Famicom - Adapter and/or console modification (clip the tips!)
  • Sega Genesis / Mega Drive - Genesis 3 (plays both without modification), alter carts, or adapters
  • Sega CD / Mega CD - Region locked (?)
  • Sega Saturn - Action Replay (card), physical modding
  • Neo Geo - No region encoding, but AES not compatible with MVS
  • Neo Geo CD - No region encoding
  • TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine - Converter (pins were backwards)
  • Laseractive - Encoded
Fifth Generation:
  • 3DO - No region encoding, but Japanese games w/Kanji set won't work on US systems
  • Atari Jaguar and Lynx - No region locking; only one version of hardware in all markets
  • Nintendo 64 - Clip the tips!
  • PlayStation - Physical add-on, paperclip
  • Dreamcast - Boot disc
Sixth Generation:
  • GameCube - Hardware modification (solder point, install switch)
  • Xbox - Region locked
Seventh Generation (current):
  • Wii / Wii U - Region Locked
  • Xbox 360 - Depends on developer
  • PS3 - REGION FREE!!!111one
Handhelds:
  • Game Boy / Advance / DS - Region free!
  • DSi / 3DS - Region LOCKED! >:O
Other
  • Pippin - No idea!
  • Playdia - Hey, what's wrong with the PLAYDIA??
  • Casio Loopy - Japan only
  • Earthbound - Will never come out for the Wii Virtual Console (sorry, guys!)
Operation Rainfall

Join up with Operation Rainfall: Remaining write-in campaigns:
Related Podcasts
Episode 08: Operation Rainfall At a time when the Wii is suffering a drought of games, don't we deserve better?


Share: Share on Facebook Submit to Reddit Seriously? Who even uses Digg anymore...?   Listen: Feedburner Direct Link   Links: Powet.TV 4cr Discuss  

Episode 04: Ooh! Wii U Nintendo announced the Wii U at E3 this week, but will it be enough to keep the #1 spot?


Share: Share on Facebook Submit to Reddit Seriously? Who even uses Digg anymore...?   Listen: Feedburner Direct Link   Links: Powet.TV 4cr Discuss  

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Cartridges and Pins In this episode, we talk about the pin differences between Famicom and NES carts, Nintendo's big plans for an NES add-on, and its unintended consequences.

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Sega Family Tree Special The NES explains to Jr. how he met his mother, albeit in a roundabout way that could potentially go on for years and years. Good thing the Famicom was there to keep him on track! Learn about the earliest, pre-Genesis Sega consoles, and some tips and tricks if you happen to own a Sega Master System.

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The Angry PC Engine Nerd We get a visit from the Angry PC Engine Nerd, who is more than happy to explain that HudsonSoft and NEC were the true forerunners of the 16-bit wars, despite weak performance of the PC Engine outside of Japan as the fable TurboGrafx-16.

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