Getting the best out of PAL and NTSC SNES games?

[imsilly]

I have a standard European (UK) Pal Super Nintendo, but I have read that this system doesn't get the best out of games. I have a collection of various PAL and NTSC games I've just dusted off and I'd like to know what system will play them best.

What are my options to get these games playing at their best?

Do I buy a new NTSC system, modify my old system or buy something different altogether?

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[theclaw]

The main point of buying an American model is not having to hack up the case or use clunky adapters to fit our games. US and Japanese systems IIRC have identical compatibility internally.

Unless you must be able to play both Satellaview and PAL Terranigma. Then I don't know what to say. The former won't fit the US case shape, the latter is difficult to play on NTSC systems.

[Mayhem]

Given I'm in the UK and own a US SNES since 1991, then yes, the best and easiest way to play the US games will be to buy a US SNES.

[Tupin]

Or you can get a RetroDuo, which works with both and has decent compatibility.

[imsilly]

I should have been more specific with describing my problem. I have an old PAL Super Nintendo and a converter. Plus a host of PAL and NTSC games that I ran on it back in the day.

Though I read that the PAL Super Nintendo runs games around with a reduced screen size and 15% slower then the NTSC Super Nintendo did. I wondered whether I'd enjoy games more playing them on another system.

[theclaw]

I'm fairly sure it's easier to run NTSC games on a PAL Super Nintendo, than the opposite. PAL games locking out 60hz is common. An import converter which only bypasses the lockout chip, will still fail 50 or 60 hz check in any games that do have it.

But yes. NTSC releases mean the full screen and full speed most SNES devs intended their games to look.

[imsilly]

Or you can get a RetroDuo, which works with both and has decent compatibility.

That is the kinda thing I was after is this the only system like it available?

[Mayhem]

Some PAL SNES games were not optimised to run on a PAL system (most of the early ones), and some were (most of the later ones). If you run the unoptimised ones on a US SNES, then yes, they will act pretty similar to how they should perform. The optimised ones... well, you'll get the hyper play experience (eg. Super Tennis)...!

[mark_k]

A large majority of PAL SNES games weren't speed-adjusted for the slower PAL frame rate. In order to play them at the correct speed and without borders, you can fit a 50/60Hz switch to your SNES.

Some games have code which checks the console mode (50Hz or 60Hz) and refuse to work if it's the "wrong" one. For example Super Metroid and Terranigma. You can power on your console in 50Hz mode, then switch to 60Hz to play the game.

With a 50/60Hz switchable PAL SNES (and the converter you already have) you should be able to play almost all NTSC games. You might have problems with e.g. Super Mario RPG, but that could possibly be worked around by fitting a US-type lockout chip inside your converter.

The TV signal output in 60Hz mode is PAL-60, which has better compatibility with older TVs. (Older sets typically show NTSC video in black-and-white.)