Dreamcast: PAL + DC-X vs NTSC-J

[Spyke]

Hi,

Maybe I'm over-anyalysing? I don't know.
I'm thinking about buying a Dreamcast. Used to have one ages ago with a DC-X bootdisc and everything was great.

Now in recent years I've come to play shmups exclusively. I remember a lot of them being available in PAL format, but general opinion seems to be that Japanese import titles are the way to go.

So if I get a cheap PAL console and a DC-X (and VGA box) will I be losing out on anything compared to a NTSC-J console, interms of compatability, quality, usability?

I live in PAL region UK.

Thanks for advice,

Ant

[aaron]

Utopia Boot Loader will work with commercial games from different regions as well, IIRC. that is free (minus the cost of the blank disc and the ink from the sharpie you use to label it). i'd go with NTSC-J personally, but i also really do not understand PAL video formats at all, so i'd be afraid of some weird video incompatibility with games from other regions.

[jinn]

Get a NTSC-U or NTSC-J have someone install a Region Free BIOS and have them bridge the R422 points in the motherboard. You will have the ultimate DC, compatible with every region.

[Reprise]

Don't go the route of Utopia. It's mediocre, compatibility wise.

DC-X is the way to go and the best there is (and for your information, it's "free" too, although not exactly legally I guess). If I remember correctly, it also outputs at 60hz whereas any other boot disc will only do PAL 50hz.

[Spyke]

Thanks for the replies. Interesting options. I like the idea of Pal + DC-x simply because it's... "simple" and I had it before, but I wasn't really into imports then. I still feel that the ability to play multi regios would be nice... and it's hard for me to find a Japanese console at such an affordable price as a PAL one at the moment...

Anyway, I'll see what comes along but it's useful to have your opinions to refer to, so thanks!

Ant

[jinn]

If you can get a PAL console I can get a fellow modder from the UK to install a Region Free Bios and will cost you the same or less than a DC-X

[Spyke]

Interesting! Will that do all that a DC-x will do but without having to swap discs all the time?

Ant

[ExedExes]

On my NTSC-U Dreamcast, I use DC-X for my Japanese DDR2 and my European Shenmue II, both games work with it no problem. Easy to use and swap out.

[mas]

i use the dc-x fo imports before and it worked all the time and i never had a problem. I got another one for when i buy capcom vs snk 2.

[ninjainspandex]

i always just burned copies that were self booting and left my real copies on the shelf