Problem with an Original Super Megakey Cart running PAL games on a JAP 60hz Megadrive

I just picked up a Super Megakey cart of ebay. However, when I run an original Sonic 3 PAL cart with the correct switches applied on the Megakey, the game boots up in full screen, yet the speed defaults to 50Hz or in fact slower in my opinion, as when I move sonic, the framerate is terrible on my Japanese megadrive

If i use a game genie with the region bypass code, the game runs in proper full screen 60hz with no slowdown issues. I followed the guide here for the correct switch uses on the megakey and it is explained that the 2nd switch for pal europe games in the down position adapts 50hz to 60hz but im my case it doesn't.

http://www.retrogamecave.com/megakey.html

Does anyone know why this is happening, as I have been unable to find an answer.

Thanks

 

Hmm... It appears Sonic 3 was intended to detect the console then load PAL optimizations at startup as needed.

If the game boots thinking it's under PAL, yet somehow has been forced to run at 60hz (like flicking a region switch while powered on), three things should happen:
music too fast.
graphic glitches.
framerate problems.

Compare your experience to what I saw in emulation. May help us.

(Sorry about my post edits. I'm not finished researching yet.)

 

Just so you know pal sonic 3 dont have sound on my region modded va7 genesis board.

Not even though the headphone jack?

All other games work fine.

 

I haven't heard of that. But my modded board only has a usa/japan switch.

I'm pretty sure ntsc sonic 3 contains the pal programming. just hides behind its lockout screen, like ntsc programming does in pal sonic 3.

 

Its definitley the 3rd one, yet just checked again and I noticed that its running properly on boot-up and the title screen but during the scene just before Sonic encounters Knuckles at the very beginning, it is then the framerate drops a great deal, as you can see the jump in framerate. Its got me puzzled beyond belief, as why would it change because you would expect it too at the start.

 

Mine does the same on my modified pal console set to japanese or usa, ie it would be the 60hz issue.

 

Did you switch region before or after pressing the power button? It matters.

 

After, if you try it before my console tell's me off (pal only!).

 

There's numerous ways to fix that. Attach Sonic & Knuckles, buy american sonic 3, use game genie or similar to start pal sonic 3 at 60hz.

 

I'll try S&K got that one, thank you

 

Similar happens with english vs japanese also. If you use game genie to let pal sonic 3 start on japan consoles, finishing a level as tails should say "miles".