View source for Nintendo Console Region

= <big>Nintendo Consoles</big> = 
todo: Add video links or website links showing detailed instructions.



== NES ==
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Similar cart sizes?'''
|No
|-
|'''Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds?'''
|No, playing NTSC games on PAL NES usually messes up the music pitch.
|-
|'''Method (Famicom playing NES games)'''
|A 72 pin to 60 pin converter
|-
|'''Method (NES playing Famicom games)'''
|A 60 pin to 72 pin converter
|-
|'''Safe to use NTSC import consoles with official EU/UK power supply in Europe/UK?'''
|NES (USA): Works <br />
NES Toploader (USA): To be confirmed <br />
Famicom (JPN): To be confirmed <br />
Famicom Sharp (JPN): To be confirmed <br />
Famicom AV (JPN): '''Can NOT!''' (You can use a power supply from a Mega Drive 1 or Master System 1 (better to use)
|} <br /><br />




NES notes<br />
todo: Comment about Famicom games with special audio chips and compatibility. <br /><br /><br />

== SNES ==

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Similar cart sizes?'''
|Sort of, but you need to tweak the console to insert import carts.
|-
|'''Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds?'''
|Sort of (see SNES notes below)  
|-
|'''Method (NTSC SNES playing Super Famicom games)'''
|Open up the console and remove the two tabs that are used to prevent JP carts from fitting in.
|-
|'''Method (Super Famicom console playing SNES games)'''
|Open up the console and hack away to widen the cartridge slot or <br /> buy a cartridge converter used to insert wider SNES carts into a thinner SFC slot, <br /> but make sure it is a model that supports all pins for games using special chips
|-
|'''Safe to use NTSC import consoles with official EU/UK power supply in Europe/UK?'''
|SNES Model 1 (USA): '''Can NOT!''' but a Skytronic 660.443 is a good substitute for a power supply [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Switch-Mode-power-supply-1000mA-max/dp/B000L97ZKS UK plug for NTSC US SNES] <br />
Super Famicom Model 1 (JPN): '''Can NOT!''' (You can use a power supply from a Mega Drive 1 or Master System 1 (better to use)<br />
SNES Jnr (USA) '''Can NOT!''' (Works Mega Drive 1 AC Adapter, but the plug must be changed to suit) <br />
Super Famicom Jnr (JPN) '''Can NOT!''' (Works Mega Drive 1 AC Adapter, but the plug must be changed to suit) 
|} <br /><br />

SNES notes <br />
A switched modified PAL system can play 99% of the games with the notable exceptions to SA1 Chip games like Super Mario RPG and Kirby Super Star.<br />
A switchless SNES can play SA1 chip games.<br />
The main issue which is not easily noticeable is that a PAL Modded SNES running at 60hz runs a tad slower than official NTSC SNES models.<br /><br />


== N64 ==

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Similar cart sizes?'''
|Yes, but you need to tweak the console to insert import carts.
|-
|'''Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds?'''
|No, when using a cartridge converter like N64 Passport Plus the output doesn't function as accurate as a NTSC counterpart. Get a NTSC system and NTSC copies of the game. 
|-
|'''Safe to use NTSC import consoles with official EU/UK power supply in Europe/UK?'''
|Any NTSC-U/NTSC-J model: Works 
|} <br /><br />

N64 notes <br />
The expansion pak is region free so a UK Expansion PAK works perfectly fine on a JP N64.<br /><br />

== Gamecube ==

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Similar cart sizes?'''
|No because they are now mini-CDs. All sizes are identical
|-
|'''Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds?'''
|While region locked, it can play imports by using a Freeloader disc to play imports. No circuit/soldering mods required.
|-
|'''Other Methods '''
|A NTSC Gamecube can be modified to have a region switch to change from NTSC-U to NTSC-J and vice versa.
|-
|'''Safe to use NTSC import consoles with official EU/UK power supply in Europe/UK?'''
|Any NTSC-U/NTSC-J model: Works 
|} <br /><br />

GAMECUBE notes<br />
PAL releases of games DOES NOT support 480p when using really pricey Component cables. <br />There is a homebrew feature called Swiss that enables Force 480p to the majority of PAL games with the notable exception found in re-releases/collection games like Zelda Collectors edition and the bonus original game found in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. <br />
The PAL console (not games) can use Composite, RGB Scart and Component as 480i video outputs, S-video fails to work. <br />
The NTSC console (not games) can use Composite, S-video and Component as 480i video outputs, RGB Scart fails to work.

== Wii ==

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Similar CD sizes?'''
|Yes....
|-
|'''Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds?'''
|Unlike the Gamecube, PAL Wii systems (and NTSC-U/J) needs to be softmodded to run import games. [http://www.wiihacks.com/recommended-faqs-guides-tutorials-only/96886-guide-softmod-any-wii.html Click here]
|-
|'''Other Methods '''
|None, the homebrew method only requires a 2GB SD card and internet connection.
|-
|'''Safe to use NTSC import consoles with official EU/UK power supply in Europe/UK?'''
|Any NTSC-U/NTSC-J model: Works but if you can softmod the system then there is no need to import another console.
|} <br /><br />
Wii notes<br />
Avoid the red Wii Mini that was released in late 2012/early 2013. That model does not support Component, has no SD card slot for homebrew and no online connection.<br />
Softmodded PAL Wii Systems: To play Sega Master System, Genesis and NTSC N64 games in 60hz, you need "Any Region Changer" and set "System Menu Region" to USA  <br /><br />

== Wii U==

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Similar CD sizes?'''
|Yes but the filesize for download copies varies, usually Europe is the highest as it usually contains 5 text languages.
|-
|'''Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds?'''
|As of 2015, there isn't an exploit that enables homebrew & disable region lock. Even if it was possible,<br /> Nintendo will release a new "improves stability" patch that will actually remove the cool exploits.<br /> Best to wait until both(?) the console and online support has died down sometime before 2021.
|-
|'''Other Methods '''
|Buy another console, this time from a different region :(
|-
|'''Safe to use NTSC import consoles with official EU/UK power supply in Europe/UK?'''
|Any NTSC-U/NTSC-J model: Works (Unconfirmed)
|} <br /><br />


Wii U notes <br />
Did you know the Gamepad is region locked as well?! So not only you need to buy a foreign console, you also need to make sure it comes with a foreign Gamepad.