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https://www.nesworld.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl System Specific Boards >> Nintendo Entertainment System >> Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S. https://www.nesworld.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1185932455 Message started by Mr. Snrub on 01. Aug 2007 at 02:40

Title: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Mr. Snrub on 01. Aug 2007 at 02:40

There's a really great NES game called Elite that was released only in the UK and therefore will only play on a PAL NES. I really really want to play this game, but I live in the U.S. What do I need in order to get this game working? Do I need a PAL NES console and/or a PAL television? And how do I get around the voltage and MHz differences?

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Stan Stepanic on 01. Aug 2007 at 23:46

You need a LOT of expensive electronics to do this, you're pretty much out of luck.

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Speedy_NES on 02. Aug 2007 at 06:55

Aren't most of the newer TVs in the US both NTSC and PAL compatible?

I'm pretty sure that you'd need a PAL console w/hookups & PAL controllers, a voltage converter/transformer (not exactly sure what these are called), and I think that should be it.

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by WhiteDRG on 02. Aug 2007 at 08:37

You need the PAL console.

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Martin on 02. Aug 2007 at 08:39

Why not download the NTSC version then and copy it to a PowerPak?

http://www.nesworld.com/download.htm

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by albailey on 02. Aug 2007 at 14:36

I have a similar question. I want to make sure anything I code works well in both NTSC and PAL.

The Ciclone chip allows for the same cart to be used in any region, I already know how to detect whether I am running in one or the other, but for testing I am restricted to running in an emulator.
Obviously I want to run the real system.

Any ideas on getting a PAL system running in North America?
Do I just need to purchase a PAL system, PAL TV and a voltage converter?

Al

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Stan Stepanic on 02. Aug 2007 at 19:20

Yeah, pretty much, but the problem is that with voltage converters you can only do up to about 30 minutes of play because the unit will start to overheat.

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Mr. Snrub on 03. Aug 2007 at 03:14

Assuming that I purchase a PAL Nintendo console and a region-free TV off Ebay (shouldn't be all that difficult), is the voltage adapter really the only remaining obstacle?

And where the heck can I find a good one?

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Martin on 03. Aug 2007 at 07:26

Why use a voltage converter? just use the power adapter from a US NES console? I mean the voltage output from the power adapter is the same US or Euro...

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Early-worm on 07. Aug 2007 at 04:02

I bought a small portable TV from France. It uses a "powerpak" similar to the NES. Both the NES and the TV powerpak can be replaced with the appropriate USA versions....just match up the right voltage. PAL NES + PAL TV + two USA powerpaks = play PAL games in the USA. Have been doing it for years.

Title: Re: Playing a PAL Nintendo game in the U.S.
Post by Kreese on 07. Aug 2007 at 12:09

If I want to play American NTSC games here in Sweden I should use an American NES for the best result. The only thing I need is the console it self, since I can use the AC adapter from my PAL NES. The controller works fine too. I guess it should be the same to you?

I have an extra PAL machine that I could trade for an American console. Mail me at kungkreese (at) gmail.com if you're interested!