Playing imports on a PAL N64.

[mikey]

Does anyone know how Japanese and American imports fare on a PAL N64? Do you really have to use a converter cartridge and, most importantly, do the games run full screen and full speed (60Hz)?

Thanks in advance.

[Viper]

Originally posted by mikey
Do the games run full screen and full speed (60Hz)?

The PAL N64 defaults to 50Hz (often letterboxed) with every game it runs. Imports would almost certainly be no different to local releases when run through a PAL N64.

[Leynos]

The speed an N64 game runs at is determined by the game, not the hardware. Make sure that you have a TV that supports NTSC composite video or S-video, because there's no way to mod a PAL N64 for RGB output. That information should be in your TV's manual.

To play NTSC N64 games on a PAL console, you need an adapter like the EMS Passport v3. It's not like playing Japanese games on an American console. NTSC and PAL games use a different security code. Also, many games require you to input a boot code. These are mostly included in the adapter's NVRAM, and the rest can be found on the web.

Later.

[mikey]

OK. As long as they'll run at 60Hz, that's good.

I might come unstuck with the composite only thing though, most TVs will display in grainy black and white using composite. Most don't have S-Video either.

Thanks.