Is it possible to use a PAL game on an NTSC Sega Master system? If not, what would it take?

[soera]

Ive been looking for a few games for my sms for years. Golden Axe Warrior and Ultima IV. I almost never see them for sale and then, when I finally find one, its PAL version. Problem is I cant ever find a PAL sms for sale. :| What would be involved in making mine play the games?

[jobocan]

SMS games are region-free.

[foxhack]

Not exactly.

They may work. But if the game relies on PAL timings then it might just not work. Check online before buying the game.

[darko]

@soera

I have the SMS/Genesis adapter. Get one of the games and we can test it out on the adapter next weekend.

[soera]

I can try that. If nothing else, I know I can resell the game if it doesnt work ... or eventually catch a PAL sms on ebay.

[forte]

Edit: NM this is for SMS not MD

[foxhack]

If you buy a PAL SMS, then you have to deal with different voltages, and it won't work on most NTSC TVs without a converter... it's not worth all that hassle.

[soera]

Ugh, seriously? I wish I had known this earlier. I already found one and bought it and its on its way here. What a huge pain in the ass.

[darko]

If it works on my converter then you can just get one of those.

[soera]

Ill let you know when it finally arrives.

[amauriel]

Guys, would something like this work? If I'm reading it right, it would convert PAL or NTFS to VGA, so could be hooked up on newer TVs and computer monitors.

http://hyperkin.com/retro-gaming/vga-multi-input-av-box.html

[soera]

Well, if I had done some more research before I bought it, I wouldnt have had to even ask. Looked at the game on Amazon and in big print it mentions "Will play on NTSC systems regardless". Game arrived and is really nice.

[pceslayer]

Very few SMS use PAL timings so you should be good with almost anything you buy.

Here is the list of games with known compatibility issues on a NTSC SMS.

Addams Family
Alien³
Back to the Future II
Back to the Future III
Bart vs. the Space Mutants
Codemasters Games - All of them
Desert Strike
James Bond 007: The Duel
Jungle Book
Home Alone
Newzealand Story
Operation Wolf
Pit Fighter
Predator
Prince of Persia
Robocop 3
Taito Chase HQ
Tectoy Games - All of them
Xenon 2

[soera]

Im actually still looking for another game. Golden Axe Warrior. I figure Ill probably buy the PAL version of it too.

None of the games you listed I have any interest in.

[pceslayer]

Might as well save a ton of $ since there is no difference between the PAL version and the US version of Golden Axe Warrior. The US version just has a sticker barcode on the back... Same with Sonic, Spiderman and Strider.