Convert a PAL NES to NTSC using a spare US mainboard

An NTSC US NES is a little rarer this side of the pond so I decided to make my own.
It's actually very easy to just replace a PAL NES mainboard with it's NTSC counterpart and while I was at it I disabled the CIC chip.
This means I can now play import titles as Famicom titles using a cartridge converter and they will play at full speed without glitches!
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#NES #region #conversion #NTSC #60Hz

[@RetroRecollections]

Thanks for watching. Looking forward to trying some import titles on real NES hardware. I'm on the fence between just getting a Famicom converter or picking up a Famicom. Any pros, cons or recommendations?

[@Fille-lj1qv]

you call this a convert,i did convert my pal nes to ntsc,just replace pal cpu-ppu and crystal with ntsc ones.

[@cesargaldamesbert]

Hi, how are you? I would like to ask you if you can modify the cartridges of an NES. I have the game Megaman 4 PAL version and I would like to convert it to NTSC. I understand that you have to rewrite the chips on the board, right? have you done something like this before?

[@davidoliver9802]

super kool dude !!!!!

[@luigimarti]

Hi, when you change the mainboard I think your UK version is 220V and if you switch it with NTSC that was 100V don't you need an adapter for power or change power adapter with ntsc? thanks

[@keancv]

After the board swap out, you remarked that the first game seamed a bit fast. I believe that can be corrected, possible a timeing crystal

[@RetroRecollections]

I just remarked that it is fast as SMB was optimised on the PAL release unlike a lot of games which just ran slower on PAL compared to NTSC. I will most likely just get an NTSC cart. I did the mod to give me access to NTSC-U and NTSC-J carts that run at the correct speed.

[@captaincorleone7088]

@@RetroRecollections Yeah, I've got that particular version on my Wii Virtual Console and it runs significantly faster in order to compensate for the PAL speed issue. The oscillator doesn't need to be replaced, the game itself is just fast! :) Did you need to use a different power supply because of the 110 voltage? (Nice work btw.)

[@RetroRecollections]

CaptainCorleone nope the NES is not very fussy at all with power supplies. I actually used a spare 9V DC PSU as my official PAL NES one was giving out loads of interference.

[@captaincorleone7088]

@@RetroRecollections Cool, that's good information. :)

[@josh4740]

Hello what is the best way to play NTSC Nes Games in the UK as To get Colour with NTSC you need RGB and the Nes doesn't give out NTSC so what is the best solution? thanks.

[@RetroRecollections]

If you have a PAL NES I think the only way is to use a multi region TV or RGB mod the NES. You can't mod the NES into pseudo PAL (PAL60). There may be other solutions I'm not aware of.

[@battmann7089]

Nice video, I’ve been searching for a US NES for a while but they are as you rightly say- hard to find. I have a few clones that play NTSC and PAL perfectly ( the Retrobit RES+ comes highly recommended and costs less than £20) For me I’m that rare breed of Englishman- I have tremendous nostalgia for for the NES, I was a big fan of the NES and the Master System when they first arrived on these shores my reasoning was- the games were very slick and had quality Japanese programmers writing them. I loved the 8 bit and 16 bit micro’s but the games for those consoles had that indefinable arcade slickness about them even if the graphics didn’t measure up to the ST and the Amiga- the playability was definitely there. It amuses me how much stick the NES gets from many UK retro gamers, all of it unwarranted in my view. I’m afraid they have to realise that millions of Japanese and American gamers cannot all be wrong! Many NES games have stood the test of time, yes they cost a lot, yes it was a niche machine in the UK but many of its games easily hold high placings in the all time great game lists and many of it’s games are still in my top 50 games of all time too. A great undervalued (In Europe) system which I love. My Mattel NES model still works beautifully and I’ve had it for 31years!

[@MD-fv8eu]

Gyromite not only needs a 2nd controller. It needs a R.O.B :-)

[@elamriti]

i want to buy and use a ntsc nes on my pal commodore monitor 1701/02 not shure if it wil work ??

[@RetroRecollections]

I think you’ll end up with a black and white picture if you’re using a composite input.

[@bigrebellion8468]

I have a pal 60pin clone nes console that only supports famicom, how can i make this ntsc?

[@RetroRecollections]

With original hardware you can’t convert them, you need to replace chips and crystals. With clones it depends on the clone. Some have a setting or dip switch in the board that allows you to change regions and video formats. If you’re technically minded then maybe take a look? Otherwise google the particular model of clone to have, it may yield results.

[@bigrebellion8468]

@@RetroRecollections I'm not really technically minded, but the clone I have is Micro Genius S1-T, I live in Turkey. I also have this question: With pal/ntsc converter, would the format change to ntsc from pal?

[@Guncage81]

Ive got a Nstc and want a PAL version ,im going to do the reverse

[@fatmansbellybutton]

Is there a less destructive way to sort pin 4? I’ve done it on previous NES consoles but don’t want to do it to my own one.

[@SwellyTripleSeven]

Yes you could desolder that pin and use a pick tool to carefully bend it up out of the way