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There have been so many comments for and against Import gaming that I thought I'd turn it into a separate topic all on it's own.
The arguement I have put forward for import gaming is that you often get games a lot earlier, or sometimes games that do not appear in this country at all. You can get US games and Japanese games that run in 60khz and faster than their UK counterparts (plus, a lot of Jap games now have English text as an option) Games like Gran Turismo have different cars to collect and different options in the respective versions (I have a friend that has 3 copies each of GT1 and 2 and 3 of Ridge Racer Type 4 as well!)
If you have anything to add, or think that import games are the devil's work, then start your engines now!...
The arguement I have put forward for import gaming is that you often get games a lot earlier, or sometimes games that do not appear in this country at all. You can get US games and Japanese games that run in 60khz and faster than their UK counterparts (plus, a lot of Jap games now have English text as an option) Games like Gran Turismo have different cars to collect and different options in the respective versions (I have a friend that has 3 copies each of GT1 and 2 and 3 of Ridge Racer Type 4 as well!)
If you have anything to add, or think that import games are the devil's work, then start your engines now!...
Depends on the TV. Some older TVs can display 60khz signals, but most can't. The other option is to get a PAL to NTSC converter (from most import specialist shops, or I can get one for you) which may work or may not, again depending on the make and model of your TV. The best way to try it is to see if anyone you know has a newish VCR, as most have a PAL/NTSC compatibilty, try a US video tape on it when it's linked to your TV and if you get a proper picture then it will be okay to use. Otherwise, it's a new TV I'm afraid!
Thinking about it, you could try a UK Dreamcast in 60khz anyway, or buy a UK one and an Action Replay cartridge and just import US Dreamcast games. If the UK one runs in 60khz fine on your TV then you can play US games no problem.
Thinking about it, you could try a UK Dreamcast in 60khz anyway, or buy a UK one and an Action Replay cartridge and just import US Dreamcast games. If the UK one runs in 60khz fine on your TV then you can play US games no problem.
Help me out on this one then, PB, say I import a Dreamcast and some games from the US, what do I need to buy from my local Tandy to get it all up and running on my 5 year old naff colour portable TV?
1)Only if it's a Jap game, and even then there are sometimes English options
2) External Cheat Cartridges prevent you from even having to take the slightest corner up on your machine, thereby not invalidating the warranty or making any sparkly effects appear when you turn the machine on
3)as above
4)unlike films, most companies will run the UK and other country's selling of the game, thus making money wherever you buy the game.
2) External Cheat Cartridges prevent you from even having to take the slightest corner up on your machine, thereby not invalidating the warranty or making any sparkly effects appear when you turn the machine on
3)as above
4)unlike films, most companies will run the UK and other country's selling of the game, thus making money wherever you buy the game.
All the things you say are true BUT
1) you're game might be in a different language (in the case of some games this could ruin the plot)
2) you need to have *dodgy* things done to your machine, by a sweaty bloke called Dave.
3) By the time your machine packs in, Dave will already have done a bunk to France.
4) Companies really don't like it, because they lose profits (i think)
5) Hello.
1) you're game might be in a different language (in the case of some games this could ruin the plot)
2) you need to have *dodgy* things done to your machine, by a sweaty bloke called Dave.
3) By the time your machine packs in, Dave will already have done a bunk to France.
4) Companies really don't like it, because they lose profits (i think)
5) Hello.
There have been so many comments for and against Import gaming that I thought I'd turn it into a separate topic all on it's own.
The arguement I have put forward for import gaming is that you often get games a lot earlier, or sometimes games that do not appear in this country at all. You can get US games and Japanese games that run in 60khz and faster than their UK counterparts (plus, a lot of Jap games now have English text as an option) Games like Gran Turismo have different cars to collect and different options in the respective versions (I have a friend that has 3 copies each of GT1 and 2 and 3 of Ridge Racer Type 4 as well!)
If you have anything to add, or think that import games are the devil's work, then start your engines now!...
The arguement I have put forward for import gaming is that you often get games a lot earlier, or sometimes games that do not appear in this country at all. You can get US games and Japanese games that run in 60khz and faster than their UK counterparts (plus, a lot of Jap games now have English text as an option) Games like Gran Turismo have different cars to collect and different options in the respective versions (I have a friend that has 3 copies each of GT1 and 2 and 3 of Ridge Racer Type 4 as well!)
If you have anything to add, or think that import games are the devil's work, then start your engines now!...