Expert: Octane - 1/29/2010

Question
Hello,
I live in Australia and have never owned a SNES. I am looking to import an NTSC SNES and NTSC games simply because of all the games that were never released in PAL territories. What problems will I encounter and how can they be solved? Thank you for your help.

Cheers,
Dean  

Answer
Gday Dean,

You really should not have any problems.  Since most Australian TV will handle the NTSC signal the US SNES will put out.  (Most TV will automatically switch between PAL and NTSC.  Really old TV's you would have to adjust the Vertical hold to see the picture)

You will need to totally replace the AC adaptor with a Australian one as the Voltages and plug configuration are different between the 2 countries.  Depending if you get a RF or AV plug with it for your TV.  I know the RF plugs for the SNES in the USA tend to be screw on while Australia models just push on.  (But the SNES uses universal plugs so if you can get a AV cable for a N64 or Gamecube that will work)

It will also play Japanese imports without a converter.  (The Difference between the Japanese and US SNES is really the case.  Japan got a outer case the same as Australia, where as the US got a square boxer case.  You will have to remove the taps in the cartridge slot or modify the cartridge to fit in the slot to play them.

If you get a converter you should be able to play 90% of all Australian/PAL games as well.  (You technically could rewire the SNES to do it as well.  If you just bypassed the Lockout chip you could play most of the early release games)

Hope this Helps

Octane