Is there a Dreamcast Region-Free BIOS? The BIOS/bootrom is an SEGA MASK ROM chip (cannot be re-programmed) and using an custom BIOS require replacing the SEGA. The SEGA Dreamcast, first released on 1998 in Japan, is to this day the latest SEGA console and a beloved system by many gamers. Here you can download our collection of Dreamcast Games/ISOs/ROMs.

You can't switch 'whenever you wanted' because the change requires to de-protect the secure part of the flash (permanent settings) and run a disc. The problem lies on the fact that you're required to connect 12v to the reset pin of the flash chip to override the write protection and that configuration will cause damage to the flash chip in long term. With a region free BIOS you can for example, set the swirl as BLUE to match a PAL system casing and controllers and still have it to output NTSC video. And the KATANA target box boot animation is sexy enough to be interesting to have.

I recently ordered a Japanese Sega Dreamcast (I wasn't really looking to buy one, but I found a boxed one on eBay for cheap in really good condition, so I thought why not?), and naturally, since it's a Japanese model, I'm going to need to replace the BIOS with a region free one so I can play American games on it. I was reading on mmmonkey's site that there's a region free BIOS which you can either piggy-back on the original BIOS, or replace entirely if I'm reading this correctly. I'd probably do the latter, since I don't see any reason why I would want to go back to the region-locked BIOS, and the 'replace' mod is simpler and neater. Are any of you fine gentlemen burning region-free Sega Dreamcast BIOS chips? How much for such a service? Also, I notice that the new BIOS changes the boot screen, I'm kinda fond of the original version, is it possible to keep it?

And does anyone have more detailed instructions on how to do the installation? Mmmonkey's guide only has the 'replace the original' as a footnote, there's not many detailed photos and instructions. Urdu fonts for inpage 2009 professional download. Or perhaps one of the BIOS flashers disks would be a better idea?

At the moment, I can't think of any Japanese-exclusive titles I would want, so I'd probably be buying all American games for now. Ah, you're right! You got a shoutout on mmmonkey's site, nice! But I am intrigued by the mod APE mentioned, the idea of simply reprogramming the original BIOS to make it region free sounds quick and simple. Though now that I re-read his post, I think he's talking about burning a re-programmed version of the original BIOS to a new chip and soldering that in. My original impression was that you could flash the new BIOS to the original chip, but I have a feeling I've got the wrong idea Clarification maybe? Bumping this thread!

I'm currently installing the region-free BIOS, I've managed to get the original chip off (VERY fiddely!) but it would appear I've managed to take off one of the pads in the process: As you can see, where pad 7 should be, there's no shiny silver pad. I take it the next step would be to run a wire from from leg 7 on the replacement BIOS to one of the legs on the IC502 chip above like mmmonkey did on his site (I take consolation in the fact that he broke 2 pads while I only broke one!) but which one? I'm trying to follow the trace from the broken pad, but I'm getting lost where the text starts to cover it up. But I was also thinking, see there's that little hole on the trace that runs along the trace from the broken pad? What if I were to run a single strand of wire into the hole, solder it from the back of the board, then solder the other end of the wire to the replacement BIOS? That sounds simpler and easier to me.