Retro Games - Supporting All retro, classic and neo-classic game formats.

Navigation

» Sales
» Museum
» Downloads
» Forum
» FAQ
» Links
» Programming
» Emulators
» Terms
» Email
» Newsletter

Retro Museum

» Atari
» Arcade
» Nintendo
» Sega
» Electronic
» Sinclair
» PC Engine
» NeoGeo
» Wonderswan
» Vectrex

Links

» Compatability List
Lists regional compatibilites with most popular console systems

» Repairs Section
How to get that old console working again.

» Video Standards
More detailed explaination of TV standards such as RGB and S Video

» Sell your games?
Email your list to sales@retro-games.net as long as there's at least around 20 games on the list (UK only). Be warned - some games are worth more than others, so please pass your Actua Soccers to freecycle group and not into the wheelie bin pleassse. We're currently heavily stocking up on N64 and GameBoy Advance.

Retro Game FAQ's

Emulation
An emulator is a program that copy's the operating system of another type of computer and allows you to run the software written for it. They typically require rom files which are the games code and data as stored on the game cartridge or even tape. There are loads available for just about every system ever made.

What is regional Protection?
Most consoles will only play games from the same country as the console themselves, companies do this in order to have better control of the separate markets. The usual method to do this is to have a region code built into the game and or console itself. For more detail see here

How do I Play import games?
There are several ways in which you can play import games, depending upon what system you are using. One of the most commom methods is to use a converter, these usually take the form of an adapter which plugs into the standard game slot and requires the import game and a UK game to be plugged in at the same time. Basically they by-pass the regional protection by using the codes in the UK cart whle playing the import cart.

Can I use an imported machine in the UK?
It is possible to use consoles imported from abroad but you will need two things; Firstly, you need a TV which will support NTSC as well as a PAL signal. Depending on where the console is from, you may need a step-up power converter due to supply voltage - see grid below. It is possible to get an NTSC to PAL converter but these are typically quite expensive at around £50-£70.

What TV standard and power level do the following countries use?

	Power	TV Standard Type
UK	220 V	PAL
Europe	230 V	PAL
USA	110V	NTSC
Japan	110V	NTSC

What's PAL?
TV standard used in Europe and Australasia. PAL stands for 'Phase Alternating Lines'. It runs at 25 frames per second, with 625 lines on screen.

The name suggests how it works. The phase of the colour carrier is alternated from line to line. It takes four full pictures for the colour to horizontal phase relationship to return to the reference point. This alternation helps cancel out phase errors.

What's NTSC?
TV standard used in USA and Japan. Stands for 'National Television Standards Comittee'. It runs at 30 frames per second, with 525 lines on screen. Countries such as Canada and Mexico have also standardized on NTSC.

What does JAMMA Stand for?
Japanese Arcade Machine Manufactures Association! This is basically a standard for arcade machines which allows different game boards to be plugged into a generic arcade cabinet.

Whats a Super Gun?
The super gun is a small device which can be used to play Jamma boards on a standard TV via a scart cable.

Why do import games have large black borders?
The line difference between NTSC and PAL systems. NTSC games are programmed to use just 525 lines out of 625 on PAL, so you get the 50 line border above and below the screen.

Why do PAL game run slower than NTSC counterparts?
When the game is reprogrammed to use PAL's 625 lines, the inevitable extra processing requirement needed for the extra 100 lines tends to slow things down.

If you have any other queries regarding any aspect of retro gaming, feel free to ask us:- sales@retro-games.net

Search