Backward compatibility / PAL & NTSC

Backward Compatibility

Some consoles are backwards compatible. This enables games from a previous generation of consoles to be played on a newer system. With some systems there is no fixed rule as to whether all games of the previous console generation are downward compatible, which is why we make a corresponding note in the item description for the systems. This information can change or, in a few cases, contain errors as we access a number of databases.

Below you will find a list of which systems are backward compatible and which are not.

PAL & NTSC

The playback formats PAL & NTSC are to be observed especially with older systems, as these are often incompatible and require an adapter, an adapter CD (e.g. Freeloader) or a conversion of the console. A distinction is made between the following formats:

PAL = Europe & Australia
NTSC-J = Japan
NTSC-U/C = USA & Canada

Please note that e.g. Japanese games on a German system usually contain ONLY Japanese text & language.

List of the individual consoles (region code & downward compatibility)

Nintendo Game Boy & Game Boy Color
– Region Free! The console can play games from ANY region!

Nintendo Game Boy Advance (exception: Game Boy Micro!)
– Region Free! The console can play games from ANY region!
– plays Gameboy & Gameboy Color games

Nintendo DS & DS Lite
– Region Free! The console can play games from ANY region! Exception: Nintendo DSi-enhanced games are Region Locked!
– Also plays Game Boy Advance games

Super Nintendo
– Region Locked! The console can only play games in the appropriate region. An import adapter or a conversion will work.

Nintendo 64
– Region Locked! The console can only play games in the appropriate region. An adapter (e.g. Passport) or a conversion change this.
– NTSC-J & NTSC-U / C consoles and games are compatible with each other if the module bay of the console has been modified.

Nintendo GameCube
– Region Locked! The console can only play games in the appropriate region. An adapter CD (e.g. Freeloader) or a conversion will change this.

Nintendo Wii
– Region Locked! The console can only play games in the appropriate region. An adapter CD (e.g. Freeloader) or a conversion will change this.
– also plays GameCube games in the appropriate region (exception: Nintendo Wii Mini)

Nintendo Wii U
– Region Locked! The console can only play games in the appropriate region. Modifying the console will change this.
– also plays Wii games in the appropriate region

Nintendo Switch
– Region Free! The console can play games from ANY region!

Sega Master System
– Region Free! The console can play games from ANY region!

Sega Mega Drive
– Some games are Region Free but the majority are Region Locked. An import adapter or modification of the console change this.

Sega Saturn
– Region Locked! The console can only play games in the appropriate region. An import adapter or a conversion change this.

Sega Dreamcast
– Region Locked! The console can only play games in the appropriate region. An adapter CD (e.g. Utopia / DC-X) or a conversion change this.

Microsoft XBOX
– Some games are Region Free but the majority are Region Locked. A modification of the console changes this.

Microsoft XBOX360
– Some games are Region Free but the majority are Region Locked. Modifying the console will change this.
– also plays a selection of XBOX games – you can find a list HERE

Microsoft XBOX ONE
– Region Free! The console can play XBOX ONE games from ANY region!
– also plays a selection of XBOX & XBOX360 games – you can find an updated list HERE

Sony Playstation
– Region Locked! Modifying the console will change this.

Sony Playstation 2
– Region Locked! Modifying the console will change this.
– also plays Playstation 1 games in the appropriate region (Japanese PS1 games only run on a Japanese PS2)

Sony Playstation 3
– Region Free! The console can play Playstation 3 games from ANY region!
– also plays Playstation 1 games in the appropriate region (Japanese PS1 games only run on a Japanese PS3)
– Playstation 3 models from the CECHAxx to CECHExx series also play PS2 games in the appropriate region (Japanese PS2 games only run on a Japanese PS3)

Sony Playstation 4
– Region Free! The console can play games from ANY region!

Sony Playstation Portable (PSP)
– Region Free! The console can play games from ANY region!

Sony Playstation Vita & Playstation TV
– Region Free! The console can play games from ANY region!
– Watch out! The Playstation TV does not play all Playstation Vita games – you can find a current list HERE