Language options on the Neo Geo AES?

[GregS]

Hello everyone, I have been thinking of buying a Neo Geo AES for quite some time now and finally have a bit of money put aside. I've looked on eBay and noticed that it is far easier to find a Japanese console than an American one. As I understand the power voltages are close enough that you don't need a converter so that's good. However I've been reading and saw that the games are set to display in the language the console is on, so if this is true, if you are to get an NTSC-U game and play it on an NTSC-J system it will display in Japanese unless there is a setting on the game for an English language option? Was just wondering if an English option is a common feature save for maybe a few select games or if it is a relative crap-shoot so to speak? If the latter is the case I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for an American console as my Japanese is not very good.

Thanks for any input!

[Tron 2.0]

If it's a u.s aes games will play in english but if it's JP then it's japanese.Unless you put in a (universe bios) 'then you can set it to any region you want to.Still collecting for the aes can be very expensive even more so for the later release.Also the console itself is region free but as for what is the right voltage i don't know.Still if you don't want to spend much on it's games then i highly suggest a neo-geo cmvs instead.MVS it's arcade counter part has plenty of games to choose from for cheap prices,and there are more cmvs out there then there use to be.

[theclaw]

Yeah bios is the way to go. AES can't choose english/japanese with a switch.

Neo Geo CD had jumper points on board, more like the Genesis and Gamecube.

[GregS]

Thanks :) Will be sure to pick up a region modded AES. Any good places besides eBay or is waiting for the right listing on there my best bet?

[Camp]

Any good places besides eBay or is waiting for the right listing on there my best bet?
http://unibios.free.fr/
http://www.jamma-nation-x.com/

[Az]

If you're diving into the world of SNK, especially looking for a modded AES, the forums at neo-geo.com will be your new best friend.

[Namnuta]

I had Jeff Kurtz (Think that's his name) over at Neo-Geo.com do the Unibios mod and component video mod for my JAP AES. Good work, great prices. I would recommend.

[GregS]

I've checked out those forums before, seems like there are some really knowledgeable, hardcore Neo Geo fans over there! Hope they won't mind a relative newbie joining their ranks, seems like a great place though, just like here8-)

Thanks for the help everyone:)

[Parodius Duh!]

Hello everyone, I have been thinking of buying a Neo Geo AES for quite some time now and finally have a bit of money put aside. I've looked on eBay and noticed that it is far easier to find a Japanese console than an American one. As I understand the power voltages are close enough that you don't need a converter so that's good. However I've been reading and saw that the games are set to display in the language the console is on, so if this is true, if you are to get an NTSC-U game and play it on an NTSC-J system it will display in Japanese unless there is a setting on the game for an English language option? Was just wondering if an English option is a common feature save for maybe a few select games or if it is a relative crap-shoot so to speak? If the latter is the case I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for an American console as my Japanese is not very good.

Thanks for any input!

ALWAYS USE A VOLTAGE CONVERTER FOR JAPANESE SYSTEMS IN THE US/CANADA! I dont know why people constantly think its ok to jack an extra 20+ volts into Japanese systems, but its NOT. Always, ALWAYS use a voltage converter or you may cause internal damage. Ive fried 2 Japanese Saturns and quickly learned my lesson.


.....and who cares if the games display the title screen in Japanese? I dont think theres a single AES game that requires you to actually read.....and the most important commands, like "Press Start" on the title screen are always in English. I mean if thats ur personal preference than whatever but a Japanese AES can be had for like 40 bucks.

[GregS]

I'll definitely pick up a voltage converter thanks, better safe than sorry! I'm guessing most games aren't too text heavy and I probably wouldn't have much trouble navigating menus in Japanese but I think I'd still prefer to have the option of either region. I've been thinking of picking up a "Mega Modded AES" from Neotropolis. I guess there's some history behind them but as long as I could get an AES with the Unibios I'd be happy.

Anyone ever bought from him before? Were you satisfied with your purchase? Hope I'm not opening up a can of worms with this question.

[Az]

ALWAYS USE A VOLTAGE CONVERTER FOR JAPANESE SYSTEMS IN THE US/CANADA! I dont know why people constantly think its ok to jack an extra 20+ volts into Japanese systems, but its NOT. Always, ALWAYS use a voltage converter or you may cause internal damage. Ive fried 2 Japanese Saturns and quickly learned my lesson.

Wait... I'm lost here. You're saying Japanese outlets aren't set up for 110v?

While I don't own a AES (just MVS cabs only) every adapter I own for an import system handles input of 120v, and some that are 110-220v if the manufacturer decides to make one unit that works for 110v and 220v standard. Do they make Japanese adapters that have a max input AC voltage under 110?

[theclaw]

I'm not sure I see much point. Isn't a replacement power adapter more cost effective than voltage converter for something like this?

[Parodius Duh!]

Wait... I'm lost here. You're saying Japanese outlets aren't set up for 110v?

While I don't own a AES (just MVS cabs only) every adapter I own for an import system handles input of 120v, and some that are 110-220v if the manufacturer decides to make one unit that works for 110v and 220v standard. Do they make Japanese adapters that have a max input AC voltage under 110?

Japan is 100v standard outlets in every Japanese home. It is not 110v.

I dont know what Japanese systems you have that have factory adapters that run upto 120-220v, but Saturn, PS1/2, and Famicom definitely do not. Those are the systems I own and if you run it straight into a US outlet the System will fry (2 Saturns RIP) or you can feel the system getting extremely hot faster than it should. None of this is good. Even putting an extra 5 volts over the recommended limit will strain the components in the system and cause problems over time.

[Parodius Duh!]

I'm not sure I see much point. Isn't a replacement power adapter more cost effective than voltage converter for something like this?

Absolutely not that will do nothing but cause problems, always use the correct power adapter that came with the system from the factory.. You can get a voltage converter for ten bucks or less these days. A really awesome one is like $35

This is the one I use its perfect and $18 bucks
http://www.minute-man.com/acatalog/Step_Up_or_Down_Transformers_for_use_in_Japan.html

My final thought- If you own or are planning on owning any Japanese electronics, You better buy one of those voltage converters. I will never buy a used Japanese system from within the US cause you never know whos been just jacking the voltage on the thing by plugging it into a standard US outlet. This is like the 40th time Ive had to bring this up on this site. People need to stop spreading the LIE that Japanese systems will be just fine plugged into a US outlet. Never switch power adapters, never plug 100v systems into US outlets without a voltage converter in place. There is nothing more to this.

HEED MY WARNING! Dont be ignorant and just assume ur Japanese system will be okay. Re-read all my points made if you have to. 100v systems require 100v, not 110v, 120v, or even 101v. If you dont want to worry about a single problem arising immediately or in the future, 100V AND THATS THAT.

[theclaw]

I never said anything about third party. SNK did sell the console here.

While I don't know specifically what devices this is an issue for, it isn't very convincing for some random user who may or may not have significant expertise in the factors involved to give such a harsh sudden announcement.
In any case figuring how whether it's involved in a suspected instance doesn't sound easy.

[ApolloBoy]

Those are the systems I own and if you run it straight into a US outlet the System will fry (2 Saturns RIP)
I owned a couple of Japanese systems with built-in PSUs and never had a problem. Are you sure there isn't something wrong with the electricity in your house?

[Parodius Duh!]

I owned a couple of Japanese systems with built-in PSUs and never had a problem. Are you sure there isn't something wrong with the electricity in your house?

No, I would be incredibly concerned if there was a problem with the electricity in my house. Like a house fire starting. My electricity is fine. Everything I say is true, people can take it for what its worth, no skin off of my nose. My consoles will never have any problems.

[theclaw]

No, I would be incredibly concerned if there was a problem with the electricity in my house. Like a house fire starting. My electricity is fine. Everything I say is true, people can take it for what its worth, no skin off of my nose. My consoles will never have any problems.

I think we're oversimplifying the matter. Did examining a console reveal evidence actually pointing toward this as a probable cause of its issues?

[xelement5x]

Besides, if anything I'd think giving it that extra voltage would just kill the brick on the power line, not the system itself. I guess it depends on the system though, most consoles 32bit and up just used a basic power cable instead of a custom brick with adapter that earlier systems used.

[Az]

Japan is 100v standard outlets in every Japanese home. It is not 110v.

Wow, I didn't know that.

I checked the adapters I had on hand, one was a Japanese PSP which as the same PSU as a US PSP (110-220v). The other was a Chinese Famiclone, same thing 110-220v. Which, I realize that isn't Japanese and is irrelevant to the conversation :)

Lesson learned, check those AC adapter specs! I had no idea the standard Japanese wiring was 100 and not 110, and if the system is set for 100v tops input it will be fried just like you said. For systems with an external power brick you could always just get a US one, but for ones like the PS1 or Saturn the whole AC board could get fried very easily.

[theclaw]

Wow, I didn't know that.

I checked the adapters I had on hand, one was a Japanese PSP which as the same PSU as a US PSP (110-220v). The other was a Chinese Famiclone, same thing 110-220v. Which, I realize that isn't Japanese and is irrelevant to the conversation :)

Lesson learned, check those AC adapter specs! I had no idea the standard Japanese wiring was 100 and not 110, and if the system is set for 100v tops input it will be fried just like you said. For systems with an external power brick you could always just get a US one, but for ones like the PS1 or Saturn the whole AC board could get fried very easily.

I wouldn't just take his word for it. You're letting one guy who bursts in insistent hold far too much weight.

We need to take this more seriously. It's a technical matter and should be treated so.
Assuming his console was damaged for the specific reason he claims, there will be internal signs.

[Parodius Duh!]

I wouldn't just take his word for it. You're letting one guy who bursts in insistent hold far too much weight.

We need to take this more seriously. It's a technical matter and should be treated so.
Assuming his console was damaged for the specific reason he claims, there will be internal signs.

Sorry pal, but Japan household outlets are 100V ;)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2225.html Ill provide more references if you like.

Im not BURSTING either, Im adamant about my point to try and save people from doing harm to their imported systems.

[theclaw]

Sorry pal, but Japan household outlets are 100V ;)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2225.html Ill provide more references if you like.

Im not BURSTING either, Im adamant about my point to try and save people from doing harm to their imported systems.

I never said otherwise. The point is it's not simple.
Specific knowledge what systems may be affected and signs to diagnose this as a potential cause of a problem, are of more benefit than being adamant.

[RP2A03]

Voltage regulators exist for a reason. Just sayin'.