View Full Version : Options for playing European SNES Games
I'm an American with an American NTSC SNES who wishes to play a few European games that did not make the trip over the pond. What are my options? And to make the topic more interesting, what games were released in Europe and not America?
MarioMania
10-16-2006, 01:59 AM
I think you need a Pass-Though Cart..like 2 Cart one the US Cart to trick it so it will y-pass the lock-out..& 2 Games
Terranigma
Mario's Picross - Did this get a UK release
CosmicMonkey
10-16-2006, 04:46 AM
You could use a converter cart. Or you could do some proper modding, and add a 50/60Hz switch and a security chip on/off switch.
InsaneDavid
10-16-2006, 04:58 AM
If you're already in the US is there really any reason to install a 50/60Hz switch? I mean, it's not like an NTSC TV is going to display a 50Hz output. However, you do need to disable the security chip.
JLukas
10-16-2006, 06:05 AM
Someone here made a SNES PAL-Only release list, you should be able to find it in a search.
The easiest option is a PAL-NTSC converter, like a Pro Action Replay. A SNES converter that has 2 cart slots can do PAL-NTSC conversion (avoid the single slot ones, they are just a passthrough for playing carts between USA-JPN systems) Try to find a newer converter that has FX support, older converters may not work with some games (Terranigma)
You can mod the system, but I believe it requires soldering.
Mayhem
10-16-2006, 07:25 AM
Just note that some PAL carts were optimised... because the system here in Europe runs at 50Hz not 60Hz, they were coded to run faster by 15% to compensate. You try playing an optimised PAL game on a US SNES (something I've done) and it'll run like lightning by comparison (hello, Super Tennis, that was a laugh!).
Cauterize
10-16-2006, 09:18 AM
Just note that some PAL carts were optimised... because the system here in Europe runs at 50Hz not 60Hz, they were coded to run faster by 15% to compensate. You try playing an optimised PAL game on a US SNES (something I've done) and it'll run like lightning by comparison (hello, Super Tennis, that was a laugh!).
Trying to run Super Mario All Stars PAL in 60hz gives graphic errors too!
CosmicMonkey
10-16-2006, 09:33 AM
If you're already in the US is there really any reason to install a 50/60Hz switch? I mean, it's not like an NTSC TV is going to display a 50Hz output.
True, but some PAL games refuse to boot if the system is set to 60Hz. You need to fire up some games in 50Hz mode then switch over to 60Hz.
50TBRD
10-16-2006, 04:08 PM
From what I've heard a PAR3 is the only thing that will play Terraningma. I know that the Super Magic Key/Converter will not.
Some say that you need to disable the Lock-out. Can someone say that is what needs to be done. I have a link but don't want to tell someone to do that for the potential to ruin there system neeedlessly.
As for Euro only carts, here's a list of a lot of them. I've played a bunch of the on emu and can say that a lot of them are good. There are others that were released in US but under a different name and a lot of sports games.
Putty Squad
Smurfs and Smurfs 2
Asterix and Asterix/Obelix(at least graphically good)
Terraningma and Parodius(usually the 2 best reasons to import)
Spirou(good)
Turbo Toons
Firemen
Whirlo
Super BC Kid
Hungry Dinosaurs
Power Drive(Racing)
Cannon Fodder(Strategy)
Theme Park
Lucky Luke
Tin TIn
Micro Machines 2
Waterworld
Daze Before Christmas
InsaneDavid
10-16-2006, 04:11 PM
If you're already in the US is there really any reason to install a 50/60Hz switch? I mean, it's not like an NTSC TV is going to display a 50Hz output.
True, but some PAL games refuse to boot if the system is set to 60Hz. You need to fire up some games in 50Hz mode then switch over to 60Hz.
Okay, thanks. I read something about that awhile ago. The only PAL SNES game I've ever cared to play is Terranigma and emulation was the easiest answer.
Ok, I'm confused. Was the Pro Action Replay even released in the United States? The only ones I see for sale are overseas.
JLukas
10-18-2006, 04:40 AM
The first one was, but it was only available through mail-order to my knowledge. The PAR2 and PAR3 were sold by a few import shops, but I don't think it got an official US release.
PARs work on any SNES system, it's ok to buy one from overseas. I'm using a PAR3 I purchased from an Australian seller on my USA SNES.