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partially). Issues include black bars on top and bottom of the picture to make up for the 96 missing lines, resulting in a distorted image. Due to the different refresh ratio, some PAL games are about 17% slower than their NTSC counterpart. An infamous example would be the entire SquareEnix lineup on Sony systems, as well as other RPGs of different make. Users could often override these effects by applying their own software or hardware modifications to their setup (thus forcing the PAL software back into its native 480i/60 Hz resolution), but this may be out of the scope of some users, could potentially invalidate the system warranty (as opening up older cartridge-based machines was necessary to force 60 Hz), and in some instances could disrupt "PAL optimisations" that the coder applied (such as PAL-optimised video or 576i menu screens – even where the game itself was not PAL-optimized). Another factor to consider is that certain features are inherently included with software in some territories (such as the 480p option on NTSC Nintendo GameCube consoles and 1080i/720p exclusive to NTSC version of
Microsoft Xbox), but not on others. As HDTV hardware spread however, games for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were typically programmed in 720p or 1080p (which are standard across all territories), thus eliminating the TV specs hurdle. Also - starting with the
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consoles have bi-directional controller ports, while
Japanese do not. Some software will check this functionality to determine if it is running on a Japanese console or not. Some games will display a different title screen, and Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap is known to refuse to play the FM soundtrack on a western console (even if a hobbyist-produced western FM sound unit is installed). Also, the BIOS in western consoles will check the game code to see if a Sega-defined header is found. This is done to check which of the Master System's media slots have a game inserted, and which to boot. Japanese consoles do not have this requirement, so Japanese games do not contain a header, so a western Master System will not be able to detect inserted Japanese software.
589:" boot disk was launched by Codejunkies. However, the Freeloader boot disk was rendered unusable with the release of Firmware 3.3 for the Wii. Most Wii users have since turned to "hacking" their Wii instead using the "Twilight Hack", and when Nintendo patched the bug that allowed the exploit to take place in Firmware 4.0, users soon discovered another method, aptly called the "BannerBomb Hack". This, when combined with the Homebrew channel and a disk loader application, allows users to bypass region checks for Wii games. Aside from the Freeloader series, other boot disks include the Action Replay, the
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and
Japanese) just to be able to play these games. Additionally, the region provisioning in some regions does not make sense- for example, NTSC/J was assigned as the region for South-East Asia and many games were released in Japanese, despite the fact that few people in the region understood Japanese.
303:
Import gaming is common among students looking to improve their language skills, and for native speakers of
Japanese who do not live in Japan. This is also occasionally done with games in other languages, though less commonly. Some non-students who import games would learn foreign languages (English
823:
While the PlayStation
Portable is usually region-free, regional lockout is used to an extent in the console, and it is up to the producer of the game to implement it. For example, some have claimed that the PSP version of Battlezone in some countries are region-locked. Likewise, UMD movies are also
848:
The PlayStation 3 is region free for all but one PS3 game, however it will honor the region-coding of Blu-ray movies, DVD movies, and PS and PS2 games. The PlayStation 3 also supports regional lockout using a system based on the region-coding of Blu-ray movies. Also, many games for the PS3 enforce
296:
Sometimes, an enthusiastic fan of a series that is released in their local region will buy both the domestic and the
Japanese copies. This is also sometimes done for special print or premium box versions which are more common in Japanese releases than those from other regions and come with special
310:
Some do not wish to wait for a game to be released in their local region, and import the
Japanese (non-domestic) copies to obtain the game sooner. This is very common in English-speaking countries (i.e. UK and Australia) where games are often released later than in the USA. This is also sometimes
813:
The Master System is not region-locked directly, however there are several differences that create compatibility issues between
Japanese and western consoles. Japanese consoles (released in different variations as the Sega Mark III and the Master System) use differently-sized cartridges. Western
834:
option in the XMB despite the user upgrading the console using a copy of
Firmware 6.20 that is obtained from the US site. Sony disables the function on Asian consoles because non-game applications for the PSP has yet to be released in the region despite applications being already available for
359:
While many games consoles do not allow games from other countries to be played on them (mainly due to voltage, localization and licensing issues), some consoles (often handheld, due to the universal nature of batteries) are not necessarily restricted to a certain locale. Some of these include:
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are taken into consideration. This is also true within the used games market offering used import games way cheaper than local new games due to the localization delay. Before, however, the introduction of the Euro, new import games were commonly sold 40% more expensive by import shops than the
345:
US and
Japanese games were historically developed with NTSC television specs (480 lines, 60 Hz) in mind. PAL specs (576 lines, 50 Hz) used in the EU required changes to the source code of these games. While some games were rewritten accordingly, some weren't (or were done so only
325:
Due to high release-prices, it is often considerably cheaper for gamers to buy Japanese (non-domestic) versions of popular games that have already passed out of the "new release" phase of their marketing in the foreign country. Furthermore, because of variations in international
339:
European local edition. Similar price disparities exist between American and Asian markets. Additionally, certain retro games no longer being manufactured are much rarer and thus more expensive in domestic markets, while Japanese copies are more abundant and therefore cheaper.
537:– Initially to be strictly region-locked by means of IP Geolocation through a mandatory network connection so that the console will not be usable outside its intended region, however Microsoft has retracted the function and the console is now technically region-free.
584:
Boot disks are another common choice, as they are generally reliable and do not require risky installation methods. These disks are loaded as though they are local game disks, then prompt the user to swap them for an imported game, allowing it to run. A Wii
272:
medium, or many games based on licensed anime/live TV series where very few titles have ever been given overseas releases. Those who are interested in these games but do not live in Japan can only enjoy them through importing. This also applies to
612:
slot generally used for backup memory, cheat cards, and other utilities. This same slot can also be used for cartridges that allow imported games to run. Some of these cartridges include regional bypass, extra memory, RAM expansion(s), and
824:
region-locked. Additionally, the firmware is programmed to detect the region of the console and only display some features in consoles released in certain countries. For example, the Asian version of the PlayStation Portable series will
857:, which is only available on the Japanese PSN and refuses to work if downloaded onto a North American PS3 from a Japanese user PSN account), most content on all PSN stores, including PSOne and PS2 classics, are region free.
620:
The Xbox is not very restrictive due to the console being capable of "softmods" which can do things such as make the console region-free, allowing for burned games to be used and homebrew and multimedia functionality
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Many import gamers do not want games that feature edited dialogue, changed names, re-dubbed audio tracks, removal/censorship of content, and/or other similar changes which often appear in translated versions.
853:. Additionally, each PSN store is region-locked so that it will only accept local credit cards or gift cards, and is tied to the region of the user's PSN account. However, with a few exceptions (Notably,
558:
Most handheld video game systems are region free due to most of them having a built in screen, run on batteries and being much cheaper to produce if they do not have a region lock on the system or games.
550:
consoles are not listed because at the time there was little to no importing and consequently there was little reason to introduce regional lock-out. Sometime importing difficulties may still arise (e.g.
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data not being present on non-Japanese 3DO. At the 3DO company's suggestion, the majority of game developers added these files to the game CDs so that they could be played on foreign consoles.
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are a popular choice for many of these consoles as they are generally the easiest to use; however a poorly installed chip could permanently break the console. Some modern consoles, such as
567:
The majority of disk-based home consoles released in more than one region feature regional lockout, the main exceptions being the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer and the Sony PlayStation 3.
787:
The Game Gear contains an I/O port that allows the software to detect whether or not it is a Japanese console. However, it is not known to have been used for region-locking purposes.
94:
49:
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game releases, as it offers an extended selection of English titles. Japan is not the only region to have exclusive games which attract importers, simply the most common.
547:
804:
version of the DS/DS Lite do not run on non-Chinese Nintendo DS systems due to the more complicated firmware chip required to compensate the large Chinese alphabets.
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option to allow live streaming of TV channels from PlayStation 3s that are equipped with the optional USB tuner accessory that is only sold in Japan and the UK.
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model only, concerns only NTSC NES and PAL NES. Famicom games need a special cartridge converter, and some features like extra sound channels will be missing.)
727:, are capable of being set to run Japanese (and/or other non-local) games and other software. Another method of importing is using a region-free disk drive.
526:
Vectrex games, Controllers, 3D Imagers, and other accessories are not region specific. The box and manual language printing are the only differences.
617:
devices all in one, while others feature only regional bypass and cannot play certain Japanese Saturn games that require RAM expansion cartridges.
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Not all video games are available in all countries, and a large fraction of games are not released outside Japan. This is especially true of the
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server-side lockout for online play and additional content download. At the moment the only game that enforces a console regional lockout is
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800:, is region locked for DSi and newer DS games, although it will still play older DS games of any region. Also, games for the Chinese
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While the 3DO does not feature regional lockout, a few Japanese 3DO games can only be played on a Japanese console due to special
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350:- most software in PAL territories included the option to play PAL software in its original 480i/60 Hz format.
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All three major game console makers refuse to repair any system that has been modded or if boot disks are used.
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are unable to run games designed for other language versions of the same operating system, others, such as
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download in other regions. Likewise, the US version of the PlayStation Portable will not enable the
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There is no uniform motivation among import gamers, but some common reasons for importing include:
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Japan's Most Wanted: We dive into the world of import gaming, and return with some Japan-only gems
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games from regions the console is not from may introduce some glitches, such as missing colors).
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Some consoles are only released in one region, and therefore have no protection. These include:
496:. Similar to the PlayStation 4, Sony has said region locking is a possibility, but discouraged.
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if chipped. However, some Xbox modchips can be turned off by the user, allowing online play.
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520:(concerns only Japanese N64 and NTSC N64, remove two tabs in the back of the cartridge tray)
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games instead of buying localized versions, even when shipping and handling costs and
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and international video game market demand, import gamers may save money by
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has a fairly unusual workaround; while a disk-based console, it has a
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The PSP FAQ: The facts and the future of PlayStation's portable
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is a popular platform for import gaming as well. While some
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where the majority of games for certain systems originate.
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titles, they strongly discourage developers from doing so.
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502:(the SGB itself is locked for either PAL or NTSC SNES)
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However, the successor to the Nintendo DS Lite, the
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community that take part in the practice of playing
101:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
486:. Although Sony has said that it is possible to
963:"Region Detection - Development - SMS Power!"
27:Overview of parallel importing in video games
8:
311:done with consoles; shops offering advance
64:Learn how and when to remove these messages
226:Learn how and when to remove this message
161:Learn how and when to remove this message
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977:"ROM Header - Development - SMS Power!"
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459:TurboGrafx-CD/PC Engine CD-ROM System
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99:adding citations to reliable sources
110:"Parallel importing in video games"
249:from another region, usually from
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190:to comply with Knowledge (XXG)'s
45:This article has multiple issues.
1005:"The PS4 won't be region-locked"
315:imports recently made news when
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75:
34:
931:Newman, James (16 March 2007).
86:needs additional citations for
53:or discuss these issues on the
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435:Nintendo Entertainment System
888:The Import Gaming Gift Guide
563:Disk-based protected systems
508:(doesn't work with PAL SNES)
365:3DO Interactive Multiplayer
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1020:Action Replay for GameCube
541:Xbox Series X and Series S
266:Wider selection of titles.
319:took action against them.
203:may contain suggestions.
188:may need to be rewritten
707:PC-based import gaming
628:Single-region consoles
597:, and numerous other
577:, cannot be used for
257:Reasons for importing
469:PlayStation Portable
430:Neo Geo Pocket Color
355:Region-free consoles
288:Localization issues.
280:gamers who purchase
241:are a subset of the
95:improve this article
895:. 27 November 2008.
687:Sega SG-1000 Mark I
1040:Video game culture
1023:. IGN. 2003-03-19.
994:. IGN. 2004-05-28.
941:. pp. 52–54.
323:Financial reasons.
294:Collector's value.
948:978-0-415-28191-1
885:Ashcraft, Brian.
717:operating systems
343:Technical issues.
243:video game player
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591:Utopia boot disk
548:third generation
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474:PlayStation Vita
398:Game Boy Advance
308:Advance release.
301:Language factor.
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914:. 2008-05-06.
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270:visual novel
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209:January 2010
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197:You can help
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93:Please help
88:verification
85:
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47:Please help
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18:Import gamer
675:Casio Loopy
656:SwanCrystal
606:Sega Saturn
579:online play
530:Virtual Boy
518:Nintendo 64
488:region lock
445:Nintendo DS
247:video games
1017:Wiley, M.
934:Videogames
864:References
721:Windows XP
646:WonderSwan
595:Bleemcast!
587:Freeloader
553:Atari 2600
546:Note: Pre-
421:Neo Geo CD
336:import tax
275:Anglophone
121:newspapers
50:improve it
939:Routledge
757:Multicart
610:cartridge
512:Super NES
411:Game Gear
384:GB Pocket
348:Dreamcast
332:importing
201:talk page
56:talk page
1034:Category
752:NTSC-U/C
731:See also
668:Fujitsu
664:FM Towns
571:Modchips
535:Xbox One
406:GB Micro
388:GB Light
380:Game Boy
278:European
151:May 2010
691:SG-1000
661:Fujitsu
650:Bandai
601:disks.
599:softmod
524:Vectrex
449:DS Lite
439:NES-101
416:Neo Geo
297:extras.
135:scholar
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893:Kotaku
832:Extras
747:NTSC-J
742:NTSC-C
683:Zemmix
680:Daewoo
643:Bandai
402:GBA SP
199:. The
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130:
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116:
108:
776:kanji
763:Notes
638:PC-FX
615:cheat
251:Japan
142:JSTOR
128:books
943:ISBN
802:iQue
723:and
711:The
636:NEC
604:The
575:Xbox
317:Sony
114:news
912:IGN
827:not
737:PAL
425:CDZ
313:PSP
97:by
1036::
937:.
919:^
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872:^
837:TV
713:PC
593:,
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