What do I need to play PAL games in the USA

[Buyatari]

If I wanted to play a PAL PS2 title in the USA what is required?

For starters I guess I need the PS2 game system and the game both PAL. But do I need to convert anything with the electricity or the television?

[Vlcice]

You'll need some type of import loader - a modchip or a Swap Magic set are the most popular. Swap Magic works by either preventing the PS2 from telling the lid is open (on a slim system) or by opening the tray on an older system in a way the system can't detect. That lets you boot the system with a Swap Magic disc, then switch to the import you want to play and launch that.

Many PAL games support both 50Hz and 60Hz modes, but for those that don't both a modchip and Swap Magic are able to force the game to run in NTSC.

[Ze_ro]

Trying to use European systems with North American TV's is not easy. Very few North American TV's support PAL signals, and even if you can get it to sync properly, you'll often be left with no colour because NTSC and PAL use different colour signals. A worthwhile PAL to NTSC converter is very expensive.

--Zero

[Nebagram]

Are there really any PAL titles that didn't get released in North America that are worth all the hassle of converting anyway? As stated before, you'll need-

-Some sort of modded PS2 or a PAL PS2
-If the latter, a way of converting the plug/voltage if British so it doesn't spaz out as soon as you plug it in
-A way to display the PAL signal without it, again, spazzing out. If your TV can do this, though, it's 80% of the fight won. If it can't, well, good luck.

[Vlcice]

Ze_ro and Nabagram, like I mentioned, the PS2 importing methods do include a way to make PAL games display in NTSC format. You don't have to have a TV that displays PAL.

[norkusa]

I've got a chipped PS2 that has an auto-fix for PAL games but it's not perfect. Most PAL games run fine but in some the edges of the screen are cropped out (like the screen is zoomed 10-15%). Most of the PAL games I play have a 50/60hz option on them though, so it's not a big deal.

[Buyatari]

A customer of mine is a big rpg player and Growlancer fan.
A Japanese system is out because if you can't read the RPG you can't play it.
They are looking for any Growlanser game not available on US systems and in particular Growlanser VI: Precarious World.

Are there any RPGs only available in PAL format? I am sure there have to be a few but I couldn't say for sure.

[Leo_A]

Are there really any PAL titles that didn't get released in North America that are worth all the hassle of converting anyway? As stated before, you'll need-

Yes! Its very worthwhile, I'd recomend doing it. Some of the earlier SingStar titles were European exclusives (Several good songs on them like Downtown by Petula Clark that the US releases never recieved), Strikers 1945 I & II: The Arcade Games , Richard Burns Rally, F1 Racing Championship, Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy had a good number of changes), and Sony's WRC series (We only ever got the first, you had to import the PAL titles to play WRC 2-4 and Rally Evolved) are all worthwhile games that I've enjoyed.

Also, WRC Arcade for the PSOne is a nice import I liked that the US never got. Also, many people probably have at least one or two DVD's they'd like that only saw release over there that never did over here, so its a nice way to be able to play those without finding a solution to play them on domestic players (One that comes to mind for me that I wanted was Last Mysteries of the Titanic, the Discovery Channel never released a DVD of this James Cameron documentary in the US). There was enough for me to consider it worthwhile.

[josekortez]

Yes! Its very worthwhile, I'd recomend doing it. Some of the earlier SingStar titles were European exclusives (Several good songs on them like Downtown by Petula Clark that the US releases never recieved), Strikers 1945 I & II: The Arcade Games , Richard Burns Rally, F1 Racing Championship, Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy had a good number of changes), and Sony's WRC series (We only ever got the first, you had to import the PAL titles to play WRC 2-4 and Rally Evolved) are all worthwhile games that I've enjoyed.

If you've got a Japanese PS2, Strikers 1945 I & II: The Arcade Games and Richard Burns Rally are available in Japan as well. I own the Japanese version of Richard Burns Rally and it isn't that hard to understand since it's a racing game.

[Spartacus]

I got into buying PAL games for a couple of reasons. Partly because buying Japanese import games seemed exotic at first, but eventually I bought so many that it got sort of boring. I also began to realize that while I can usually get by with ignoring Japanese, having English manuals and text was really nice. Then there were some games I found unplayable in Japanese and that really got me started investigating PAL options. The only console I would consider doing this for is the PS1/PS2, simply because of the depth of it's library.
I knew purchasing a PAL PS2 would cover the PS1 too and I thought about simply buying a TV that came with the option of displaying PAL signals. I looked at quite a few models and was surprised to discover that PAL capability really didn't come with a big price difference. But I knew that if anything happened to the TV (I live in a lightning prone area), I would have to find another special TV. So I decided to purchase a converter that I could use with any TV instead. I got quite a bit of help from http://www.world-import.com/samar.htm
Very friendly knowledgeable people with an 800 number to call to ask any questions. I had a pleasant experience doing business with them. I bought a PAL PS2, ComWorld CMD-1500 converter and a voltage converter from them. They highly recommended the CMD-1500 at the time, but there are newer models for HD capability out now. I don't have HD yet, but when I do I'll probably wish I had the newer model. All I can say is good things about what I have though. Works without any headaches at all.
The initial outlay to do PAL gaming wasn’t insignificant, but once that's over, the price of PAL software is very modest even when factoring in shipping. As much as I enjoyed my dealings with Japanese people buying Japanese software, I've enjoyed just as much buying PAL software from, Australians, Britons, Germans, Belgians, French, Italians and Spaniards! It's just a really cool and fun experience!

Is it worth it? What's worth picking up? I don't know what is or isn’t for anyone else, but here's what I've done and what I'd like to do and perhaps it will gives some ideas for what's possible.

PS1
These games weren't available for the PlayStation in the US. I already owned the Japanese versions of these games and bought the PAL versions for translations, for the difference in the artwork or simply because I enjoyed the Hell out of some:

Agent Armstrong
Chaos Break
Cheesy
Explosive Racing aka X.Racing (JPN)
Firo & Klawd
Ghoul Panic aka Oh! Bakyuuun (JPN)
Gungage
Hard Boiled
Hell Night aka Dark Messiah (JPN)
Hybrid
Kotobuki Grand Prix
Lone Soldier
Overblood 2
Poy Poy 2
Prism Land aka Prism Land Story (JPN)
Sonic Wings aka Sonic Wings Special (JPN)
Star Ixiom
The Note aka Koukai Sarena Katta Shuki: The Note (JPN)
X2 aka X2: No relief (JPN)

I wouldn't mind picking up these someday for the same reasons:
Rescue Shot aka Rescue Shot Bubibo, Rapid Reload aka Gunner's Heaven, Galaxian 3, Puchi Carat, Vib Ribbon, Bishi Bashi Special, Penny Racers aka Choro Q

I picked up Rock & Roll Racing 2: Red Asphalt aka Red Aspahalt (US) just for the cover art and the slight name change.

Here's a few PAL PlayStation games I bought without owning the Japanese version first:
Diver's Dream aka Dolphin's Dream (JPN)
Little Big Adventure Relentless: Twinsen's Adventure
The Last Report

These are some I have and to the best of my knowledge, they are exclusive to Europe for the PlayStation:
360 Three Sixty
Aironauts
Amerzone
Attack of the Saucerman
Bedlam
Blood Lines
Carmageddon
CT Special Forces
CT Special Forces 2: Back to Hell
CT Special Forces 3
Dodge'm Arena
Dreams aka Dreams to Reality
Elite Squad
Extreme Ghostbusters Ultimate Invasion
Flying Squadron
Frenzy!
Global Domination
Guardian of Darkness
Hot Shot
Infestation
Invasion
Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds
Jet Ace
Jinx
Kirikou
Legend
Live Wire!
London Racer
London Racer II
Monster Racer
Moorhuhn X
Moorhuhn 2
Moorhuhn 3
Motor Mash
Necronomicon: The Dawning Of Darkness
Omega Assault
Pax Corpus
Perfect Assassin
Pinball Power
Radikal Bikers
Raging Skies
Raven Project, The
Retro Force
Riot
Robin Hood: The Siege
Scooter Racing
Shadow Gunner: The Robot Wars
Shoot: 7 Games
Silent Iron
Space Debris
Space Rider
Strike Force Hydra
Super Dropzone: Intergalactic Rescue Mission
Supersonic Racers
Tank Racer
Terracon
Tunguska: Legend of Faith
Ubik
V2000
Viper
Virus: It is Aware
Wanted
Wing Over 2
Worms Pinball
X-COM: Terror from the Deep
Xenocracy

I have Yeti Sports Deluxe and TechnoMage: Return Of Eternity coming to me in the mail. I intend to pick up Discworld Noir, Iznogoud, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame eventually.


PS2:
These games weren't available in the US for the PlayStation 2. I already owned the Japanese versions of these games and bought the PAL versions for translations, ect.

10,000 Bullets aka Tsukiyo ni Saraba (JPN)
Air Ranger: Rescue Helicopter
Bomberman Kart
Bust-a-Bloc aka Simple 2000 Series Vol. 5: Block Kuzushi Hyper (JPN)
Demolition Girl aka Simple 2000 Vol. 50: The Daibijin (JPN)
Detonator (PAL) aka Buile Baku (JPN)
Dodgeball aka Simple 2000 Series Vol. 49: The Dodgeball (JPN)
Forbidden Siren 2 aka Siren 2 (JPN)
Global Defence Force aka Simple 2000 Vol. 81: The Terra Defence Force 2 (JPN)
Global Defence Force: Tactics aka Simple 2000 Vol. 103: Chikyuu Boueigun Tactics (JPN)
Gregory Horror Show
Go Go Copter aka PuchiCopter (JPN)
Maze Action aka Simple 2000 Ultimate Vol. 8: Gekitou! Meiro King (JPN)
Michigan Report From Hell aka Michigan (JPN)
Monster Attack aka Simple 2000 Series Vol. 31: Chikyuu Boueigun (JPN)
Project Minerva Professional
Radio Helicopter aka Simple 2000 Vol. 35 The Helicopter (JPN)
Radio Helicopter II aka PuchiCopter II (JPN)
RC Sports: Copter Challenge aka Flying Circus (JPN)
Runabout 3 Neo Age aka Simple 2000 Ultimate Series Vol. 9: Runabout 3 (JPN)
Zombie Attack aka Simple 2000 Vol. 65: The Kyonshi Panic (JPN)

Eventually, I'd like to pick up the PAL versions of these Japanese games I already have just for the translations, ect.
Akira Psychoball
Covert Command aka Simple 2000 Vol. 102: The Hohei Senjyou Inudachi (JPN)
Fire Heroes aka Hard Luck: Return of the Heroes (JPN)
Zombie Hunters aka Simple 2000 Vol. 80 The Oneechanpuru (JPN)
Zombie Hunters 2 aka Simple 2000 Vol. 90 The Oneechanbara 2 (JPN)
Zombie Zone aka Simple 2000 Vol. 61: The Oneechanbara (JPN)

I picked up Fahrenheit aka Indigo Prophecy to see a censor free version of US games I already had and I'd still like to pick up Playboy: The Mansion and Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude as well.

These games I managed to buy the PAL version without ever having the Japanese version:
Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
BCV: Battle Construction Vehicles aka Kensetsu Juuki Kenka Battle (JPN)
CT Special Forces: Fire For Effect aka CTSF: Tero-Taisaku (JPN) aka Xbox Nemesis Strike
DNA: Dark Native Apostle
Ex Zeus aka Counter Force (Wii)
Police Chase Down aka Simple 2000 Ultimate Vol. 7: Saikyou! Shiro Biking (JPN)
Robot Warlords aka Velvet File (JPN)
The Sniper 2 aka Simple 2000 Vol. 16: The Sniper 2 ~Akumu no Juudan (JPN)
Space War Attack aka Simple 2000 Vol. 78: The Uchuu Daisensou (JPN)
Special Forces aka Simple 2000 Vol. 108: Nihon Tokushubutai (JPN)
Tank Elite aka Simple 2000 Vol. 32: The Sensha
The Seed: Warzone aka The Seed (JPN)
World Super Police aka Kousoku Kidoutai: World Super Police (JPN)

I'd like to find these eventually:
Aces Of War aka Zero Shikikan Josentoki (JPN)
Ghost Vibration

As far as I know, these games I have are exclusive to Europe on the PS2. That's not to say that they won't make it over here on the PS2 or Wii someday:
7-Sins
Ace Lightning
Ben Hur: Blood of Braves
Beverly Hills Cop
Captain Scarlet
Combat Ace
Conan: The Dark Axe
Conspiracy: Weapons of Mass Destruction
Crazy Chicken X (Moorhuhn)
Daemon Summoner
Earache Extreme Metal Racing
Evil Twin: Cypriens Chronicles
Final Armada
Frank Herbert's Dune
Furry Tales
Gecko Blaster
Gene Troopers
Ghost Master: The Gravenville Chronicles
GSG9: Anti Terror Force aka SAS: Against All Odds
Guerrilla Strike
Gunfighter II: Revenge of Jesse James
Heracles Chariot Racing
James Pond: Codename Robocod
Knights of the Temple: Infernal Crusade
Maniac Mole
MegaRace 3: Nanotech Disaster
Miami Vice
Motorsiege: Warriors Of Primetime
New York Race
Obliterate
Operation Air Assault
Operation Air Assault 2
Pacific Warriors II: Dogfight
Panzer Elite Action: Fields of Glory
Red Baron
Robot Wars: Arenas Of Destruction
Search & Destroy
Sniper Assault
Stealth Force: The War On Terror
SWAT Siege
They Came From the Skies
Thunderbirds
Twin Caliber
Underworld: Eternal War
World War Zero
WW1 Aces of the Sky
WWII Battle Over Europe
WWII Battle Over the Pacific
WWII Tank Battles
WWII Soldier

I'd like to pick up these Euro exclusives someday too:
Knight Rider 2, Realm of the Dead, Shadow of Ganymede, Skyscraper,
Stealth Force 2, and Space Rebellion

[Xander]

I've been asking myself about PAL too since I want to make a repro of Terranigma for the SNES, and the game has been been released in NTSC format, only in NTSC-J and PAL.

I'm a bit disappointed reading this thread to learn that I will probably have problems playing the game because my TV is not likely to handle the PAL signal.

[Leo_A]

Thanks for the nice list.

A few others popped in my head that are worthwhile, the first title or two in the series that became Endless Ocean on the Wii were PAL PS2 exclusives I believe. Also, I guess Ico had some exclusive content that our rushed version didn't recieve.

[Vlcice]

An NTSC SNES will always output an NTSC signal even with PAL games, so that won't be an issue. You should just make sure you apply a protection crack first. Terranigma checks to see if it's running in a PAL system, and refuses to run otherwise. There are a few utilities you can use to remove the PAL check, in which case it runs perfectly on an NTSC SNES.

[Buyatari]

WOW that is a nice list. Can you tell which ones of those are RPGS?

[c0ldb33r]

I've got one PAL game - Final Fantasy X. I wanted to battle Dark Aeons. I thought it would run in my softmodded PS2, but it doesn't.

I kind of resent FFX as a result.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I also liked Virtua Cop Elite Edition for the PAL PS2. The game was also released in Japan but not in the US. I think the game was a pretty good combo of both Virtua Cop 1 & 2...

[p_b]

WOW that is a nice list. Can you tell which ones of those are RPGS?

From a quick look...none?

[Cryomancer]

I can play PAL games on a US ps2 using the ESR method and some 60hz patching when needed. There is a program that will add a 60hz selector to games for you. The problem is some games will take up the entire vertical resolution of a PAL TV and you might get some cutoff (good example of this is Bomberman Hardball).

And yeah, PAL PS2 has plenty of english-lanugage exclusives, most notable in my opinion being the nice pile of Simple 2000 games that have come out in europe.

[Spartacus]

Thanks for the nice list.
A few others popped in my head that are worthwhile, the first title or two in the series that became Endless Ocean on the Wii were PAL PS2 exclusives I believe. Also, I guess Ico had some exclusive content that our rushed version didn't recieve.

Thanks for the heads up about Ico. I played about 10 minutes of that game years ago in my living room and got an inkling that Ico could become a very absorbing experience. My living room is no place for that, with people walking in and out, starting the dishwasher, doing a little vacuuming or anything else that would drop the hint that I’m “hogging the TV!”. Decided to wait until my kids moved out and I could make my own game room. Who knew my youngest child would decide to become a full time professional stay at home college student! Yeesh!

WOW that is a nice list. Can you tell which ones of those are RPGS?

I’m pretty action oriented as a gamer so there’s no RPG’s, but there are a few adventure games. You might try looking through the PS2 RPG section of Amazon UK to see if there’s any that would interest you.

I also liked Virtua Cop Elite Edition for the PAL PS2. The game was also released in Japan but not in the US. I think the game was a pretty good combo of both Virtua Cop 1 & 2...

I have Virtua Cop Re-birth around here somewhere and haven’t gotten around to it yet. Is English significant in order to play?