Glossary
Glossary
Modding discussions are full of shorthand. Here are the terms you will run into most often on this wiki.
- Flashcart — A cartridge with an SD card slot that loads game files instead of a single fixed ROM. Examples: Mega EverDrive Pro, Mega SD.
- RGB — A high-quality analog video signal carrying separate red, green, and blue channels. Far sharper than composite or RF.
- RF — Radio-frequency output, the lowest-quality connection that feeds a TV's antenna input.
- Composite — A single-cable video signal, better than RF but softer than RGB.
- Region — The market a game or console was made for, typically Japan, North America (NTSC-U), or Europe (PAL).
- 50/60 Hz — The video refresh rate. PAL machines run at 50 Hz; NTSC at 60 Hz. Many games run better at 60.
- Switchless mod — A region/refresh modification controlled by a button combo rather than a physical toggle, often using MegaDrivePlusPlus firmware.
- Add-on — An expansion that bolts onto the console, namely the Sega CD or 32X.
- VA number — A revision code printed on the mainboard that identifies the exact board variant.
NTSC vs PAL
When in doubt, "NTSC" usually means 60 Hz North American or Japanese hardware, and "PAL" means 50 Hz European hardware. Region and refresh rate are related but not identical, which is why switchless mods often control both.