Confirming lock-out setup on Thunder Force III.

[Kikoskia]

I have been told that Thunder Force III was not properly locked out for PAL consoles, at least the model 1 ones. I am not sure if they are still locked out of the model 2.

Can anyone help me in this regard?

[Kikoskia]

The reason for asking is simple really; there's a copy of it in one of my local stores. I don't really want to buy it, only to find out it won't work. My megadrive is a European one and the guy at the store said that it wasn't locked out on the model 1 megadrive, not sure about model 2 though. I presumed it had some different lockout systems in it, but I can't know for sure.

[Joe Redifer]

Can you take your system in to test it? If it works on a model 1, it should theoretically work with a model 2 no problem.

[Kikoskia]

I don't think I can... well, if it works on a 1 it should a 2 I admit. You have a point.

However, the box blatently said Genesis on it and that makes me skeptical. I want other people's opinions on this before I shell out a fair amount of cash for it. I can't return it back to them unless it's broken, so if I buy it and it doesn't work, I'm stuck with it. :(

[winona]

I can confirm that the japanese version has a regional lock. It wont play on a PAL or US system withouth the proper converter.

As for the US release the is something fishy about that one. If you check this picture you will fnd that its a bit odd:

http://www.tradera.com/auction/aid_22574090

A german manualfor a genesis game? Does not compute. It would however indicate that the Genesis version was in fact sold in Eu aswell, with only a change of manuals.

But.... if they changed the manuals, why didnt they change the genesis logo to a mega drive logo?

[Joe Redifer]

Really? I have the US Thunder Force III and it works perfectly fine on my US Genesis. Perhaps you are thinking of Thunder Force IV?

[Kikoskia]

No, I am thinking of Thunder Force III. I have a european Megadrive, not a Genesis.

[theevilfunkster]

My Genesis Thunder Force III works fine on my mark 2 European Pal Megadrive.

[Kikoskia]

Ooh, very nice. Thanks. I may just buy it then. :P

[segagamer]

Thunder Force III does not have any regional lockout, while Thunder Force IV does.

[Kikoskia]

Right. Thanks you guys. :)

[winona]

Thunder Force III does not have any regional lockout, while Thunder Force IV does.

The Japanese version does have a regional lockout.


No one found the german manual for a genesis release odd?

[Kikoskia]

I most certainly did. Not exactly a common site, that.
This box does SAY it's a Genesis cart though, not a Megadrive one. If it said Megadrive, no doubt that would be the Japanese version.

[winona]

Oh its not the japanese one. It looks a lot diffrent:

http://i6.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/6b/f6/31_1_b.JPG

[segagamer]

Thunder Force III was released in 1990 before regional lockout was implemented (hardware in 1991, software in 1992). Therefore, it does NOT have any regional lockout.

[winona]

Never the less I have personaly experienced Jap TF3 refusing to boot using both an "any region to US" converter as well as with a simple slot adapter.

It worked fine with a Action replay converter though.

If its not a regional lock then there is something else preventing the jap version of TF3 to work on western systems withouht a proper converter.

[Kikoskia]

Okay... I have some people saying it doesn't have a lockout. I have other people saying it does. I have other people saying that it has something else to stop people from running it...

...

...Is there anyone else who can give clarification?

[Joe Redifer]

All I know is that the Japanese Thunder Force 3 has worked perfectly well without any converters on every US Genesis I have tried.

[winona]

@Kikoskia

Well, the version you are getting is the US one right? That one works fine on a PAL system.

Im only talking about the japanese version which seems to hate PAL machines.

But it works on US machines apparently since Joe Redifer says hes tried it.

[Kikoskia]

Well, it says Genesis on the cover. That would PRESUME that it's US. Also, the fact that it has english writing on the back would also show it's US, right?

[winona]

Yepp.

[Kikoskia]

Then it's good to go. Right, thanks all. HAD to make sure I wasn't planning on purchasing a dud product there.

[David J.]

It works fine, and buy the game, you lucky sod!

I really want the game. And I live in the states and can't buy a game. It's a great game.

[Kikoskia]

I will buy it then. :)

[Kikoskia]

Just got it. It works like a dream. Thank you everyone that posted. :)

[winona]

how much was it?

[Kikoskia]

Managed to pick it up for £10.

[winona]

Fair Enough.

Ive been further investing japanese vs European compability. Seems like quite a few games wont work on a PAL system, no matter the date.

Afterburner 2
Samurai Showdown
TF 3

They all refuse to start on my PAL machine. Even with a "All regions to US" converter. My NTSC Genesis is at a friends place, Im going to try em on that later.

[Kikoskia]

Strange. Are you sure it's not just a problem with your particular console?

[winona]

Pretty sure. TF was tested on 2 PAL machines and then worked fine on a NTSC one.

The others ive only tried with 1 PAL machine. I do have another one lying around somewhere. Ill try that later aswell.

[Kikoskia]

It could be what was said earlier in this topic, that the hardware also had lock-out technology put in in 1992. That means that, unless you have an older one, they won't work.

[segagamer]

Samurai Shodown was released in 1994, so it might have regional lock-out in the game itself. After Burner II and Thunder Force III might not be compatible with PAL consoles, but they do NOT have regional lock-out, as I have them and they play in both NTSC JP and US modes perfectly.

Also, hardware regional lock-out was implemented in 1991 with the release of the Sonic 1 bundled systems.

[Kikoskia]

Well, I'm using PAL and Thunder Force III works fine on mine. :?

[winona]

Well, im still talking about the japanese version Kikoskia :)

I dont think Afterburner 2 and SS have regional lock out. The game refuses to start at all and I dont get the "this games is only bla bla for the US NTSC system" warning like i do with Lost Vikings and Streets of Rage 2.

My converter should have fixed the problem if it was a lok out thing. As it is its just dead.

I think its a compability problem invoving PAL machines. Im getting an Action Replay soon, perhaps that will solve it.

[Alianger]

someone should document these things.. :)

[Joe Redifer]

The Japanese version of After Burner II always worked great in my US Genesis.

[daminmancejin2]

i finally seen Thunder Force III at the gamestore today but i had no money to buy it :(

[daminmancejin2]

im saveing up too but it now :cool:

[danielscheil]

Thunderfore 3 (Japan Version)
works on Pal Mega Drive / Genesis Version I +II
works on US Sega Nomad