Expert: Octane - 10/11/2008

Question
i have a europian nintendo nes,,and i want to get more games,,if i get games from the usa,can j play it on my maskin,,,  what is the different off pal and ntsc..if any,,how can i make my maskin to play both europian and american games

Answer
Gday Geir,

The difference between PAL and NTSC is the frequency of signal and lines per inch displayed on your TV.  So displaying a NTSC signal on a PAL TV usually the picture will roll and the Vertical Hold needs to be adjusted.  This also effects the speed of the game that is played.  Although you really don't have to worry about the signal being outputted by you NES it will output a PAL one regardless of the game placed in the unit.

Your NES is capable of playing NTSC USA Games but you will need either a converter or to disable the lockout chip in the cartridge or in your console.  Since converters for the NES are fairly uncommon you will probably have to go the route of disabling the lockout chip.  (Disabling the lockout chip in the console is easier than the cartridge because the cartridge needs a special screw bit.)  

By disabling the lockout cartridge you will be able to play 80%-90% of all US Games.  It will not play all games and may have problems with several of the.  But it will play most of your USA games.  
All you have to do is disabling the lockout program by cutting the #4 pin on the lockout chip inside the console.  (The chip is usually marked CIC)  What this does is make the console think the game inserted has the same chip and allows the cartridge to boot up.

I am sure there are tutorial videos and other step by step instructions on the net just google "NES CIC lockout chip disable" if you want to go thru the process.  I've done it to both a

Hope this helps.

Octane