PAL or NTSC

spark1976

I'm sure this question has been asked countless times...

Would a collection of NTSC Megadrive games be worth more than a collection of PAL games? The reason why i ask is because i have a modest collection of games alot of doubles in terms of pal/ntsc and planning on getting rid of one or the other.

Would it be better to hold onto the NTSC games due to the fact that the genesis was more popular in the states than the megadrive was in europe nad therefore NTSC games would be in more "demand" in years down the line...?

Not sure if i'm making sense...

Retr0gamer

Depends on the game how valuable it is. Some PAL games only received a small release and go for high prices and conversely some NTSC games are more expensive than the PAL version, it depends on the game really.

As for playing the games I'd go NTSC all the way. PAL games tend to be slowed down and have those horrible borders (very few PAL games were optimised) and NTSC had a much larger selection of games to choose from. However there are some exceptions like Alien Soldier, Terranigma and Lufia 2 getting PAL releases only

For meit would be NTSC except if the game got an english PAL release only.

Myrddin

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Depends on the game how valuable it is. Some PAL games only received a small release and go for high prices and conversely some NTSC games are more expensive than the PAL version, it depends on the game really.

As for playing the games I'd go NTSC all the way. PAL games tend to be slowed down and have those horrible borders (very few PAL games were optimised) and NTSC had a much larger selection of games to choose from. However there are some exceptions like Alien Soldier, Terranigma and Lufia 2 getting PAL releases only

For meit would be NTSC except if the game got an english PAL release only.

Aside form the above mentioned PAL optimised games, it's actually the console that determines the speed & borders. So unless there's a region exclusive release or a language barrier, it doesn't really matter. Thats assuming the MD can play any region cart though.

spark1976

i was thinking in terms of how there would be more demand for NTSC games in the future.. theres a bigger population of gamers that grew up with the Genesis than the MD i think, so therefore there would be more demand for the NTSC carts.

Its like when people hit their 30's and 40's they would have more disposable income and might want to start collecting their old MD/Genesis games so the demand for NTSC games would be higher than the PAL games?

Or is that a stupid way of thinking?

Atavan-Halen

Not necessarily. Sega was always more popular in Europe with the Master System and MegaDrive so the amount of MD vs. Genesis games would be about the same. Besides there aren't too many games that are region locked so people will just go for whatever is cheapest on ebay or whatever.

o1s1n

A complete PAL Megadrive collection is worth more than a complete NTSC Genesis collection.

There are many many MANY rarer PAL titles than NTSC ones.

I collect PAL over NTSC for the following reasons -

1. I grew up with PAL titles. So that's how Megadrive games should look to me
2. Quite a few PAL Megadrive boxes use the original Japanese artwork. Whereas the American ones have stupid westernized versions.
3. The name 'Genesis' is stupid
4. Blue is associated with Sega. Red is associated with Nintendo. Therefore Megadrive boxes should be blue, not red.
5. On average, PAL games are worth more than NTSC games.
6. There are more rare PAL titles to hunt down. Things like Wiley Wars, Alien Soldier, The Punisher, Ecco Jr, Fatal Fury 2 etc.
7. With a few exceptions I can collect PAL megadrive games and still play them all in NTSC 60HZ on a modded console.
8. Some later release Genesis games came in horrible cardboard boxes to cut down on costs (similar to 32x cardboard boxes) 99.9999% if MD PAL releases are in plastic clamshell cases.

spark1976

Thats a great post.. cheers for that.. makes sense the points you've listed.

Cheers for your answers lads, much appreciated!

Retr0gamer

o1s1n wrote: »

I collect PAL over NTSC for the following reasons -

1. I'm a sick **** that hates full screen games and loves the feeling of characters moving like they are swimming in treacle.

FYP

Seriously though good point about playing PAL games on an NTSC machine giving full speed and screen.

Now if it was PS1 or later it would have to be NTSC all the way since the game dictates whether it's PAL or NTSC.

Myrddin

Retr0gamer wrote: »

FYP

Seriously though good point about playing PAL games on an NTSC machine giving full speed and screen.

Now if it was PS1 or later it would have to be NTSC all the way since the game dictates whether it's PAL or NTSC.

Ooohhhh...that fyp is gonna cause a sh1t-storm

o1s1n

/storm arrives - **** everywhere :pac:

Totally agree with you on the ps1 games. I'm annoyed I started a PAL ps1 collection so many years ago. Wasn't aware they were software based regarding the refresh rate until recently. And I'm in too deep now to turn back.

No PAL megadrive should be turned on without being modded for 60hz first. It's criminal.

Or failing that, even buy a Sega Genesis. A large percentage of Megadrive PAL games will play on a Genesis. And they'll run at 60hz.

Retr0gamer

Just don't play the PAL version of Alien Soldier at 60Hz. It's hard enough as is and is PAL optimised. Not need to play it at stupid speed!

o1s1n

I've been playing Alien Soldier for so long at 60hz that it seems like slow motion at 50hz, even if that is the correct speed after being PAL optimized.

Plus I like that video that for some odd reason doesn't play when you have it set to 50hz

I thought of another reason for staying away from NTSC Genesis games. Americans don't like to look after their games. PAL copies of things on average seem to be kept in better condition. Plus there are also a crap load of NTSC unboxed copies. I think this is down to people throwing boxes away because they had a sega nomad and the sheer volume of rental stores that were over there at the console's height.

spark1976

Well i've no problems with the speed issues..its barely noticeable to be honest! Maybe for really fast shoot-em ups.. but everything else i've not had any issues.

Retr0gamer

spark1976 wrote: »

Well i've no problems with the speed issues..its barely noticeable to be honest! Maybe for really fast shoot-em ups.. but everything else i've not had any issues.

You really sure it doesn't make a difference. Watch this video and you'll be sickened at how awful the PAL slow down is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYdHUZlb7qs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmMXA7FpR_U

A lot of games are ruined by the PAL slowdown. You can actually feel the lag in the controls as well, they play so much better in 60Hz, once you play them in 60Hz you'll never go back to 50Hz. Another thing that's really affected is that the music is ruined as well. Ignorance is bliss but I really can't stand playing games in 50Hz when I know that60Hz version is the way it was meant to be played and after experiencing the difference it makes it really is huge.

o1s1n

Even if you dont have a problem with the slowdown (You will after watching Retr0's videos!) there are also the bars at the top and bottom of the screen. When you switch to 60hz the bars vanish and it goes full screen. The image then has the correct resolution and aspect ratio.

Myrddin

Anyone who can't see a difference after watching the above is delusional & needs professional help :pac:

spark1976

God no, what i dont know, wont bother me...

I'll forever regret asking what screen tearing is.. i see it all the time in new games now!!!

edit..
i watched em..damn.. sonic is much smoother.. damn...maybe i need to get this sorted...

Retr0gamer

One of my friends used to give out about all the videos of people covering videogame music on youtube were playing at the wrong tempo until I told him that it's only because all the music in PAL games is playing at a slower tempo anyway.

I also used to listen to the boss music in rocket knight adventures in the sound test section in the options and used to think it was a bit off and would be awesome if it Konami justsped it up a little

spark1976

Well thats me told..

I think i'll introduce myself here..

I'm a 34 year old gamer, been gaming since those Grandstand games came out, onto the Atari.. have had nearly every single console made to date! Never been a collector at all but recently i've decided that i'm sick of this generation of games, the DLC, the map packs, preorders etc... its becoming hassle and i'm not enjoying my gaming anymore.

Decided to give Sonic on the XBLA a try and enjoyed it greatly, next i got Castlevania and all the old memories came flooding back. Checked the attic for old games and stuff and found a few that i had over the years..

I said i had a modest collection.. this was before i realised the monster number of games you guys have.. i only have about 20! Modest, ha ha!

Anyways, went looking for some old Megadrive games (the megadrive holds my fondest memories gaming wise so it was a no brainer to start collecting md games). Been buying some of my favourite games from ebay.. probably over the odds too.. but i'll catch on!

This week i bought Alien 3, Starflight (orbit established!), Road Rash, The Immortal, Spiderman, Chaos Engine, Mega-Lo-Mania, Dragons Fury, 688 Attack Sub, Syndicate and Desert Strike.. Can't wait for them to arrive!

Just wanted to say hey to everyone and introduce myself!

Myrddin

spark1976 wrote: »

Well thats me told..

I think i'll introduce myself here..

I'm a 34 year old gamer, been gaming since those Grandstand games came out, onto the Atari.. have had nearly every single console made to date! Never been a collector at all but recently i've decided that i'm sick of this generation of games, the DLC, the map packs, preorders etc... its becoming hassle and i'm not enjoying my gaming anymore.

Decided to give Sonic on the XBLA a try and enjoyed it greatly, next i got Castlevania and all the old memories came flooding back. Checked the attic for old games and stuff and found a few that i had over the years..

I said i had a modest collection.. this was before i realised the monster number of games you guys have.. i only have about 20! Modest, ha ha!

Anyways, went looking for some old Megadrive games (the megadrive holds my fondest memories gaming wise so it was a no brainer to start collecting md games). Been buying some of my favourite games from ebay.. probably over the odds too.. but i'll catch on!

This week i bought Alien 3, Starflight (orbit established!), Road Rash, The Immortal, Spiderman, Chaos Engine, Mega-Lo-Mania, Dragons Fury, 688 Attack Sub, Syndicate and Desert Strike.. Can't wait for them to arrive!

Just wanted to say hey to everyone and introduce myself!

Good post, hope to see you as a regular in that case I'll give you one important piece of advice here, never, ever follow a link that o1s1n posts. It WILL cost you money :pac:

o1s1n

Welcome to the forum spark1976

Good choice with the Megadrive. It's my own collecting focus too. Good thing about it is the majority of games can be had for around a tenner or under. There'll be some that go up a bit more than that, then some that'll go for silly money...but most are easy enough to get.

Oh and don't mind Enternow. If you see me link to something on ebay, click it quick! It'll be such a good deal it won't last very long :pac:

spark1976

Thanks for the welcome guys...

Any links would be greatly appreciated! Am new to Ebay too.. gotta learn it fast!

landsleaving

I remember some rules posted here for ebay (by O1s1n I think) something along the lines of only pay 2/3 of the average buy it now price, and don't get into a bidding war, wait for what you want to come to you at a good price. I'm sure someone can elaborate, but thats worked well enough for me with ebay.

Oh and don't pay extortionate delivery, if you really want the game, ask them for a better price, 9 times out of 10 you'll get it.

o1s1n

yeah that's bang on. Glad it's working out for you.

Sometimes you just have to have patience. There have been loads of occasions where I almost gave in and paid full whack for Shining Force. I decided to wait and now I have it for under 15 euro delivered.

Andrew76

Welcome spark!

Just to counter some of the last posts, an item is worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. I'm sure we've all paid over the odds for items on ebay. I have zero patience when I decide I want something so have often paid more. adverts.ie is another good place to lurk for retro items - although some folk put up crazy expensive prices there.

The only thing I'd add about ebay is if you are planning on bidding on an item you desperately want - then put it in the lowest available bid nice and early just to confirm you can actually place a bid. Some sellers say they ship internationally but when you go to bid you get blocked as they haven't specified postage to Ireland (or wherever). Got stung by this before. Then just hide in the shadows and ninja the auction in the last few seconds if possible.

o1s1n

Andrew76 wrote: »

The only thing I'd add about ebay is if you are planning on bidding on an item you desperately want - then put it in the lowest available bid nice and early just to confirm you can actually place a bid. Some sellers say they ship internationally but when you go to bid you get blocked as they haven't specified postage to Ireland (or wherever). Got stung by this before. Then just hide in the shadows and ninja the auction in the last few seconds if possible.

That's always a killer alright.

Something else I do now - I'm trying to stop using the 'watch auction' function. Rather than that, if there are no bids on the item I'll put the starting bid down.

For two reasons other than the above - you may forget about it and then win anyway like I did with Shining Force

And - It'll show up in your 'my ebay'. So it's pretty much exactly the same as adding it to your watch list.

spark1976

All good advice... i always check if they will post to ireland and all that. Whast the story wtih using other ebays? Germany, france etc?

I put in an early bid on a game, before i found this site, i've just been outbid in the last hour... i'm gonna resist the urge to bid again till the last 10 seconds!!

Andrew76

spark1976 wrote: »

All good advice... i always check if they will post to ireland and all that. Whast the story wtih using other ebays? Germany, france etc?

I put in an early bid on a game, before i found this site, i've just been outbid in the last hour... i'm gonna resist the urge to bid again till the last 10 seconds!!

Don't think there's an issue using those other ebays just make sure the translation doesn't get in the way. Think I bought from the French ebay recently even though the "seller ate all responsibility for the item".

Defo resist the urge to bid now. Unless you're not going to be near an internet connection when the bid ends then it makes no sense to bid early, it will just cost you more. There's also a handy ebay app for Android phones that will send you a reminder when there's 15 mins left on an auction.

All of my consoles are 50Hz, haven't the knowledge or guts to mod any of them for 60Hz. But I have played 60Hz versions and find them better in most cases. An exception for me is Punch Out on the NES, I learned how to play it in 50Hz all those years ago so if I play the 60Hz version my timing is off and end up getting clobbered!