Forums

Topic: Question about using NTSC-J cartridges on a PAL SNES

Posts 1 to 5 of 5

minecast

I'm starting to get into Super Mario World speedrunning, and I heard that the Japanese cartridges are faster at performing various actions. Since they are identical in shape and size, would a Japanese cartridge work on a PAL SNES? I'm guessing not since it's a different region (PAL vs NTSC) and apparently Japanese SNESs have a different number of pins in the slot. If not, is there some sort of adapter or modification I can use/make so I can play both PAL and NTSC-J games? Thanks.

minecast

I_Am_Kappa

it took me 1 min to google this... it won't work

I_Am_Kappa

daveisbored

No, It won't work. You'll need something like datel's universal adapter (there are various models with various levels of compatibility) or you can get your machine modified. If you are using an adapter I think you'll still need a 50/60Hz mod to play at the correct speed.

daveisbored

Twitter:

Dizzy_Boy

The cartridge differences can be bypassed with an adapter, but I wouldn't recomened it as it can screw up the internal hardware if used for too long.
Also, I'm pretty sure that SMW runs at 60hz on the WiiU VC..
Untitled

Dizzy_Boy

Twitter:

KingMike

While Japanese and EU SNES (and this applies to N64 as well) used the same cartridges, they used different lockout chips.
(but Japan and North America used the same lockout, which is why getting around the shape differences allows a JP game to work on a US console)

There is not a pin count difference specifically between NTSC and PAL, but games with expansion chips will use exactly 16 (4x2x2) pins more than a standard cart. (or that is to say, the majority of games only use the middle part of the pin connector)

KingMike

  • Page 1 of 1

This topic has been archived, no further posts can be added.