SNES: NTSC US/JAP > PAL help

[ConnyN]

Sup guys!

I'm new to this scene and I wanted to start collecting snes stuff again. I grew up using a PAL system so that is a very personal thing for me and I'd prefer to have that console instead of that ugly US one (no offense that's just my preference). So I'm wondering, what's the best way to go around this? Cause I know there's problems with US/JAP games not working on the pal.

So I'd like to hear your thoughts and suggestions regarding the region stuff. Should I get the PAL one modded? Should I get some sort of converter? Or should I just buy a US console too?

A second question, what games can I not play on the PAL?

Kind regards!

[theclaw]

US systems are far easier to modify the cart slot. Its greatest selling point, really that much less work.

Downside of all NTSC models is 50hz often needs a color fix if using composite/s-video/RF. Many TVs don't like what amounts to NTSC50.

I suspect more PAL games block 60hz, than NTSC games who block 50hz, but I'm not sure I've seen a list.
Fewer NTSC users import PAL games to any significant degree (compared to the opposite).

[Mayhem]

A couple of the very later games, such as Super Mario RPG, don't function 100% on a PAL SNES, even with the mods. And you'd need a full converter to use any games that have the Super FX chip in etc.

Personally, I'd just get a US SNES, rip the tabs out from the cart slot, and bingo, you can play US and Japanese games on it without issue.

[ConnyN]

US systems are far easier to modify the cart slot. Its greatest selling point, really that much less work.

Downside of all NTSC models is 50hz often needs a color fix if using composite/s-video/RF. Many TVs don't like what amounts to NTSC50.

I suspect more PAL games block 60hz, than NTSC games who block 50hz, but I'm not sure I've seen a list.
Fewer NTSC users import PAL games to any significant degree (compared to the opposite).

So NTSC is the way to go then?
As for TVs I think a lot of TVs here have that fix hertz fix ntsc/pal. At least the newer ones. So with that in mind, would converters work for my PAL system? I've heard about lag problems, I'd like to know more about that.

Just trying to make the most affordable decision here

[ConnyN]

A couple of the very later games, such as Super Mario RPG, don't function 100% on a PAL SNES, even with the mods. And you'd need a full converter to use any games that have the Super FX chip in etc.

Personally, I'd just get a US SNES, rip the tabs out from the cart slot, and bingo, you can play US and Japanese games on it without issue.

Oh sorry, didn't see this post!
Damn I should totally do that then.

Edit: Alright, I made up my mind about this. I'll keep using my PAL for now and get a converter. That will do for the time being because it's more affordable at the moment. In the future when I really need a NTSC console, I'll get one and rip those tabs out that you mentioned (or maybe not.. I'll have both consoles so I suppose it wouldn't matter). This is all because shipping is a fucking bitch, NTSC consoles in Sweden seem to be hard to come around. Plus, I have a thing for the PAL version aesthetically and due to hardcore nostalgia.

Thanks so much for the answers <3

[theclaw]

Well that would make NTSC games play at 50hz. Defeating the purpose.

[ConnyN]

Well that would make NTSC games play at 50hz. Defeating the purpose.

What?

[theclaw]

An adapter doesn't mod hardware. It has no choice other than let the SNES keep using PAL speed. (for us it'd be the rarer opposite direction)

[wiggyx]

He's saying that playing US/JP games on a PAL system will force them into 50hz mode instead of 60hz. So instead of playing the NTSC games on PAL, he's suggesting that you play them on a JP/US system (so you can experience them as they were meant to be played).

Basically, he's saying grab a US SNES and not mod a PAL unit to play.

[ConnyN]

He's saying that playing US/JP games on a PAL system will force them into 50hz mode instead of 60hz. So instead of playing the NTSC games on PAL, he's suggesting that you play them on a JP/US system (so you can experience them as they were meant to be played).

Basically, he's saying grab a US SNES and not mod a PAL unit to play.

Okay well there's no way around that at the moment. I have a PAL and I plan on getting games for it because of reason stated. I will get a NTSC once I need to and converters are fine as long as they work decent. The NTSC has to wait cause shipping stuff from US to Sweden is a pain in the ass.

edit: same goes for the ntsc games. It's not worth it to import games from the US to Sweden.

[ConnyN]

I have another question..

Are PAL games optimized to force themselves to run in 50hz even if I'd run them on a console that runs 60hz? Can I play a pal game in the way it's supposed to be played on a us/jap machine?

I never knew us Europeans are getting so majorly fucked.

[theclaw]

It goes both ways. Games updated to play better at 50hz, would instead have problems here.

[ConnyN]

So a PAL cart is always inferior to a NTSC cart no matter what machine i'd run it on?

[SparTonberry]

It goes both ways. Games updated to play better at 50hz, would instead have problems here.

I believe the Quintet games (ActRaiser/SoulBlazer) had changed the sound to 50hz, but left the gameplay alone. So, the PAL versions on a PAL machine would have slow gameplay with right sounding music.
Whereas I'm going to guess anyone who tried to play Terranigma (with the rare PAR versions that can get around the region lock) would get right-speed gameplay with fast music.

[theclaw]

So a PAL cart is always inferior to a NTSC cart no matter what machine i'd run it on?

No idea how many teams took PAL seriously. Most games were made in Japan.

[badinsults]

I live in Australia, and I have to say getting a US SNES is the way to go, rather than trying to mod the console or use some shitty adapter.

[Mayhem]

So a PAL cart is always inferior to a NTSC cart no matter what machine i'd run it on?

Many games were optimised for PAL later on, so that they are fairly similar in terms of performance and speed. Many of the earlier titles were not optimised. Easiest way to tell is the black borders top and bottom of the screen on PAL. Because the NTSC video system has less TV scan lines, the "extra" lines on PAL are occupied by nothing. A properly optimised PAL game will fill the screen in the same way the NTSC version would for starters.

[ConnyN]

Hm alright. I'll guess I'll try and find a US snes then and only buy ntsc games. In the meantime I suppose I could play the ntsc games on the pal with a converter since that's all I'll get my hands on for a while. Then I'll sell the pal games when I find duplicates of the ones I have now. Only way out of this!

[theclaw]

Some games you'd have to play in Japanese if money is enough of an issue.

[ConnyN]

Yeah but that's too redundant.