Nintendo Console Region
From SDA Knowledge Base
Nintendo Consoles
todo: Add video links or website links showing detailed instructions.
NES
| 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 NES Toploader (USA): To be confirmed |
NES notes
todo: Comment about Famicom games with special audio chips and compatibility.
SNES
| 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 buy a cartridge converter used to insert wider SNES carts into a thinner SFC slot, 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 UK plug for NTSC US SNES 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) EU/UK plug for SNES MINI |
SNES notes
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.
A switchless SNES can play SA1 chip games.
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.
N64
| 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 |
N64 notes
The expansion pak is region free so a UK Expansion PAK works perfectly fine on a JP N64.
Gamecube
| 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 |
GAMECUBE notes
PAL releases of games DOES NOT support 480p when using really pricey Component cables.
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.
The PAL console (not games) can use Composite, RGB Scart and Component as 480i video outputs, S-video fails to work.
The NTSC console (not games) can use Composite, S-video and Component as 480i video outputs, RGB Scart fails to work.
Wii
| 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. 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. |
Wii notes
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.
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
Wii U
| Similar CD sizes? | Yes but the file size 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? | No need as all PAL Wii U retail games are running at 60hz, some NES, SNES and N64 VC are using the slower PAL 50hz roms but a fair majority are using the standard North American's NTSC 60HZ roms. |
| Method 1 Warning Piracy |
There is a homebrew method called Coldboot Haxchi which allows region free support on Downloaded Wii U/eShop titles but it involves being a dirty pirate. No full confirmation on retail games yet. Fortunately, having *legally released to eshop* games installed to the NAND or SSD is the fastest way as it decreases load times. Depending on the cfw boot method, a legal DS VC game is required. PAL users if you got Brain Training legally for free, that is a valid game for one of the homebrew methods. Click here to view guide |
| Method 2 | 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) |
Wii U notes
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.
The Wii U uses 3 different title keys for the same game in all 3 main regions. This means 3 different saves, dlc content and update files.
For example, it's possible to have the European version of Super Smash Brothers for Wii U running at version 1.1.6, while the American version of the same game installed to the same console, running at version 1.0.6
Switch
| Similar CD sizes? | Yes but they went back to carts now. They taste awful, mainly to prevent young toddlers from consuming. |
| Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds? | Not necessary anymore as the retail games are confirmed to be region free. "The Nintendo Switch system is not region locked, but we recommend that players buy games within their region to ensure full service and support. The user will access the Nintendo eShop that corresponds to the country identified in their Nintendo Account. (Up to eight user accounts can be created on a single Nintendo Switch system.)" It's possible to enter eShop from different regions by creating a different account and change language. For example, creating a JP Nintendo Account and entering eShop with that account allows you to enter the Japanese store! Click here for a guide on how to access the Switch eShop from a different region |
| Safe to use NTSC import consoles with official EU/UK power supply in Europe/UK? | Yes, the AC Adapter uses 100-240v so it is pretty much safe to be used anywhere. |
Switch notes
Despite physical copies are going back to cartridge, they load slightly slower than digital copies, the time difference varies from game to game.
Downloadable games are either Worldwide versions or limited region versions.
Blaster Master Zero, for example, is a worldwide release because once you've bought the game from the EUR eshop, it is considered to be "purchased" in both US and JP eshop. One nice bonus is that you can get the DLC a few hours earlier by using a Japanese account due to time differences.
Puyo, Puyo Tetris is a limited region release because once you've bought the game from the JP eshop, it is not considered to be "purchased" in both EUR and US eshop. So any DLC for these kinds of games would require logging into an account that bought the game online.
