Importing PAL titles for newer systems

[kupomogli]

I know handhelds aren't effected, but if I was to import a PS3 game from PAL regions, would it work properly in US consoles?

I know the PS3 is region free but because PAL uses a different sort of power supply or something like that, games run differently. Is this no longer valid with newer systems?

[PapaStu]

PAL has nothing to do with the power needs. It is purely the TV signal. Current PS3 games I believe are all region free and work on any system, at least that what numerous people are doing to get a boxed copy of Siren PS3 ect, is to just import it.

[Bojay1997]

PAL has nothing to do with the power needs. It is purely the TV signal. Current PS3 games I believe are all region free and work on any system, at least that what numerous people are doing to get a boxed copy of Siren PS3 ect, is to just import it.

Sort of correct, except most PAL import games have to be played on an HD TV since the standard definition output on the PS3 will simply pass out the PAL signal which won't work on most standard definition NTSC televisions. Also, both the Wii and the 360 have region coding protection on most games, so basically, you can import DS, PSP or PS3 games without problem but anything else is difficult.

[s1lence]

Yeah, as long as you run them in HD you will be ok.

That is how I'm able to get my PAL 360 to work in the states as well.

[j_factor]

As everyone said, as long as it's in HD, it will be fine. But even in SD, it probably depends on the game. Since most PS3 owners play in HD and most semi-recent PAL TV's can display NTSC, I wonder how often PS3 games bother properly supporting PAL. Even a lot of old games were not made for PAL and people with PAL TV's just had to put up with the differences. The original Sonic the Hedgehog is one such game; if you look on Youtube for a video of Sonic 1 from Europe, you'll see it's a bit slower. I've also seen some older European games that run in a border, I guess so that they'll work in NTSC.

The worst that can happen is a difference in speed and a bit of the screen being cut off.

[kupomogli]

Thanks for the answers. I'm thinking of purchasing Burnout Paradise Ultimate Box for PS3. I would purchase the Japanese version but not sure if the game is also in English.

[j_factor]

Another solution is to get the "Asia version" of such games, which are usually cheaper than Japanese copies, have an English manual, and often English in-game text as well. I think the rule is, they're always in English if the game gets released elsewhere in English, but reverts to Japanese if it's otherwise a Japan-only release (as they won't translate the game just for the Asia version). I'm not sure where exactly the "Asia versions" are actually meant to be sold, but my one Asian PS3 game says NTSC on the back.

[kupomogli]

I would, but the Asian version is out of print for that game. Atleast at Play-Asia.