PAL vs NTSC for a new collector in America

[Tanooki]

There are a select few SMS PAL games that hate the US system as I remember looking into stuff but it's like 2-3 games and nothing crazy at all. The SMS just doesn't have a PAL/NTSC mannerism to it like the NES does as the games are just interchangeable without any tweaking. Just plug it in and go. The NES (toploader) is like that, but the old one need PIN4 cut on a specific chip to get the same free pass taking down that lame security chip. I had Parodius PAL run nicely, cut off a teeny bit of the bottom bar though on my TV. The SMS though I had maybe 10-12 PAL titles, not an issue and it was some of the most popular stuff too (Streets of Rage 1-2, Sonic 2 and Chaos, Donald Duck, the Mickey Castle of Illusion sequel, Golden Axe Warrior, and some others.

[Sarge]

I own precisely two PAL games, Terranigma and Phantasy Star. From my understanding, most SMS games, as mentioned earlier, tend to be identical across regions. My US system has no issues playing PS, and I'm not even sure you could tell the difference between it and an American one. I got my copy a lot cheaper from Australia because, at the time, there wasn't a lot of knowledge that PAL copies would work swimmingly in NTSC consoles.

Terranigma, of course, is a regional exclusive (at least in English). I snagged it and modded my SNES to play it legit. It also runs fine in NTSC after adding a lockout switch disable and 50/60Hz switch (the game checks the timing on boot).

Unless it's a regional exclusive you have to have, I'd roll with NTSC every time. Or in the few instances where it's cheaper to get a PAL copy and the system has no issues handling the PAL version of the cart, like Master System stuff.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Retron 5 is now a great option for playing games of all regions.

I snagged Tenchi Souzou (Japanese Terranigma) for like $5. Plays in English w/ IPS patching.

Haven't tried any PAL games in the system yet, minus some SMS ones.

[ApolloBoy]

I can't find any conceivable reason to buy PAL versions of systems/games if you live in America.

It should be worth noting that there's exceptions to this, especially in the case of vintage computers. The Amiga is a prime example of this, since most Amiga games were developed for PAL systems and some of these either don't run properly or refuse to work at all on NTSC systems. The C64 has this issue as well, but it's not as bad these days since a lot of European exclusives have been hacked to run on NTSC systems.

[ProxyCell]

wow, thanks for the amazing amount of advice and information. i will be sticking with NTSC then. i just figured it would be "neat" to have some multilanguage games from europe but as I only read English I should probably just stick to NTSC unless its a (rare) region exclusive

thanks to everyone who replied, you've been a big help in my quest with this

[Tanooki]

You got that right the REtron5 is a damn good choice of a way to play any region since it's not picky. Throw down the fact you can keep a SD card lodged in the back with a heap of translations or upgrade/fixes to questionable releases(like Castlevania 2 patched with good english and a world map) the possibilities are huge. Just get a cheap Japanese FC/SFC game and have at it and same with the PAL things too.

[the7k]

The only PAL games I have thus far are PS3 games, which fortunately run just like NTSC games would in HD. In SD, the game won't even start, which kinda prompted me to get an HD monitor just so I could play them.

I thought about getting Mega Man X3 on Saturn (PAL exclusive if you want the game in English) but decided to just go with Rock Man X3 on Saturn instead just because it was a lot cheaper.

On Dreamcast, there are a few PAL exclusives I want (in terms of being in English), those being Shenmue 2 and Headhunter. Rez and Fighting Vipers 2 were also brought to PAL over NTSC-U, but I think I'll just settle on the NTSC-J versions of those as well.

Basically, I'd only ever go to PAL games if they were only available in PAL regions. Classic Game Room HD actually started doing a few PAL PS2 games like Demolition Girl and Global Defense Force that look like good cheesy fun.

[theclaw]

NTSC PS3 is a exception to the norm. Its operating system actively and intentionally forbids certain types of 50hz content.

I myself tried PAL PS1 classic Theme Hospital. Even with an HDMI cable, resolution set to "automatic", still gives an error message.

[ApolloBoy]

I myself tried PAL PS1 classic Theme Hospital. Even with an HDMI cable, resolution set to "automatic", still gives an error message.

That has more to do with the fact that an American PS3 won't work with non-American PS1 or PS2 games than anything else.

[theclaw]

That has more to do with the fact that an American PS3 won't work with non-American PS1 or PS2 games than anything else.

Well Japanese PS1 imports are sold on PSN.

Sure prohibiting 50hz avoids complaints by users lacking a compatible TV.
But loses potential sales from us who can and want to play PAL games.