PSX region info needed

[Needle]

I know you need a modded PSX in order to play japanese games. How many "regions" are there when it comes to PSX game production? Do European games work in an American PSX?

I've got someone coming over from Australia, and she's got a cubic assload of games. We were going to bring them back here, but then it hit us that we may not be able to play them. Anyone got more specifics on this information?

Another helpful tidbit of info is if Australian games count as European games (my first guess is that this is the case, but you never know).

I don't have a lot of experience with imports, so anyone who knows the answer, just let it fly. :)

[Vroomfunkel]

You don't necessarily need a modded machine to play imports. I have a cartridge which slots in the back of the playstation and allows you to play imports or backups.

Australian games are the same region as European. They will not play on US machines without some form of manipulation. Also, even with my cart, the games will only work properly if I connect via a SCART lead. The problem is that US TVs work on NTSC format, and European /AUstralian work on PAL format, and at 50Hz. You would need a TV that could support all of these functions.

Vroomfunkel

[davidbrit2]

Here's what I know, grouped by compatible regions:

USA/Canada/Possibly Mexico: NTSC
Japan: NTSC
Europe/Australia/Probably others: PAL

I suspect there might be a generic Asian region as well, though with rampant piracy, it's possibly that there isn't. Like Vroomfunkel said, for running imports, I would suggest just getting one of the many game enhancer devices that make disc swapping incredibly easy. And for running PAL games on NTSC, you can always rip and patch the game with the patches at http://www.megagames.com. I had to do that with the European Beatmania that I bought.

[kevincure]

I'm pretty sure the consoles that had HK/China releases (like the PSone) are also NTSC, though don't quote me on it.

[Achika]

Is the "rolling" image on the TV dependent on the system? I've got Doshin for GCN and it gives me no rolling what-so-ever. But when I go to play Tin Tin or Pink Panther on my PSX or PS One I get major rolling... :hmm:

[davidbrit2]

I think it might be system dependent. I suspect that newer systems just sync to their specified video frequency, and the software itself defines the number of scan lines.