Gaming Forums => Nintendo Gaming => Topic started by: UncleBob on August 22, 2010, 12:34:37 AM
Title: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 22, 2010, 12:34:37 AM
Two questions - first, any of the soft mods allow you to play UK titles on a US Wii with no issues? I've given up on getting a release of the second Trace Memory game in the US. Second - any tips on sites to import from?
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: Mop it up on August 22, 2010, 01:07:33 AM
I've looked into this a bit when I got the Homebrew Channel, and from what I found, getting the system to play PAL games is extremely complicated. Then again, I think anything that is more than simply selecting an application to run from the Homebrew Channel is complicated. Anyways, it looks like the hacks I've found will not play from discs, and instead, the game must be run from a hard drive (which in itself can be a mess to get working). So this means you either have to download the game from the Internet, which is illegal, or find a way to copy Wii discs, the legality of which is questionable. After that, not every game will function, and absolutely no games will work 100% correctly due to the differences in PAL and NTSC televisions. If you're going to hack your system, it is strongly recommended that you create a backup of your internal memory data. Should you happen to brick the system from a hack, you can restore it using the backup.
In short: I'd give up that dream of playing PAL games, as I have.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: MegaByte on August 22, 2010, 01:11:49 AM
You should be able to do this from Gecko OS... you can patch region and even display settings and boot the discs, though it's not 100% reliable.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 22, 2010, 01:11:58 AM
Well, there's always the option of importing a PAL Wii. But then, getting it to run on a US TV... damnit.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: Mop it up on August 22, 2010, 01:20:24 AM
There are converters that you can use to connect PAL devices to NTSC televisions or vice versa, but they aren't cheap. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FQB142?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&SubscriptionId=0N1YGFKC9QHMHQ9QTDR2)
You should be able to do this from Gecko OS... you can patch region and even display settings and boot the discs, though it's not 100% reliable.
Ah thanks. I just Googled that, looks nifty. I might try it sometime if I can't resist... the forbidden games...
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: KDR_11k on August 22, 2010, 03:27:57 AM
I don't know if this works the other way around (it should) but all I have to do is run the homebrew channel, start GeckoOS and tell it to run the game.
Well, there's always the option of importing a PAL Wii. But then, getting it to run on a US TV... damnit.
Really? PAL TVs accept both PAL and NTSC just fine, I'd be surprised if TV makers go to the effort of ripping out the PAL decoder for the US TVs.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 22, 2010, 11:17:22 AM
Unless things have changed in the past few years, it was common practice for manufacturers to remove any PAL abilities from TVs sold in the US to prevent them from being sold/shipped overseas. The TV market in the US is cutthroat, with low margins (in comparison to what they stick you Europeans with). It's similar to the games - where it's almost cheaper for you to import games from the US, but you can't (ideally) play them. It'd probably be cheaper to import a TV (even more so now, since shipping would be cheaper!) but it likely wouldn't do you much good.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: KDR_11k on August 22, 2010, 12:13:46 PM
I guess you could try getting a VGA cable for the Wii then. The game supports progressive scan so that would be the cheapest alternative.
If Wii to VGA is too expensive there are component to VGA adapters that are pretty cheap.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 22, 2010, 12:54:04 PM
Well, if I get this new position at work, I'm planning to purchase a second Wii (yay!). I'll try the homebrew method first. NEED TO PLAY ANOTHER CODE R!!!
Any suggestions on cheap importing to US from UK?
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: MegaByte on August 22, 2010, 01:14:17 PM
Amazon + Karlie
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 22, 2010, 02:40:39 PM
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: Morari on August 22, 2010, 04:39:02 PM
Forget the Homebrew scene. It makes things for more complicated than need be. Modchips are cheap and don't even require any soldering nowadays. They'll allow direct booting of any region for your console, even with GameCube games.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 22, 2010, 04:40:55 PM
Modchips take more work than just doing homebrew, and are more likely to void your warranty if you have a new-ish Wii (since it's easy to just erase the Homebrew Channel).
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: ymeegod on August 22, 2010, 09:36:46 PM
Why though? Does your TV support 480P because Pal is 576I and all WII games (from what I recall support both formats in Europe). So you wouldn't need a converter at all though you can buy them but they are scalers and do a failry poor job (madcatz has one for $20). You're best off just playing in 480P.
There's a couple of games that are only 480I (think Madworld was one).
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: Morari on August 22, 2010, 10:47:51 PM
Modchips take more work than just doing homebrew, and are more likely to void your warranty if you have a new-ish Wii (since it's easy to just erase the Homebrew Channel).
No, they don't. About a dozen screws are removed and the modchip is literally clipped onto the drive. That's a helluva lot less work than jumping through hoops to install the Homebrew Channel and keep it updated to stay ahead of each and every firmware update.
Warranty is not an issue. You simply pop the modchip back off before sending it in.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 23, 2010, 12:59:32 AM
Modchips costs money. Homebrew doesn't. And I'll only have to deal with the hoops once (for the forseeable future) as this is the only non-US game I want to play...
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 23, 2010, 09:33:23 AM
I imported New Play Control Pikmin 2 from the UK, but I don't think I ever got around to playing it. I should go do that to confirm Gecko OS works right for European games. The thing is, though, last time I checked you couldn't install the Homebrew Channel on the current firmware.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: MegaByte on August 23, 2010, 10:16:27 AM
I tested some Euro games last night and they worked through Gecko. You can install Homebrew Channel again, but you now need to use SSBB or LEGO Indiana Jones.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: Morari on August 23, 2010, 12:12:28 PM
Modchips costs money. Homebrew doesn't. And I'll only have to deal with the hoops once (for the forseeable future) as this is the only non-US game I want to play...
A good modchip costs about the same as one game. If this is truly the only game you'd ever want to import, then it might not be worth it to you. Otherwise a modchip is going to be relatively cheap, super easy to setup and install, practically bulletproof, and will actually make it easier to install the Homebrew Channel itself.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: KDR_11k on August 23, 2010, 12:33:34 PM
Modchips costs money. Homebrew doesn't. And I'll only have to deal with the hoops once (for the forseeable future) as this is the only non-US game I want to play...
Once you have it installed you're good to go, just don't update to new firmwares right when they come out (wait a bit, the HBC auto-updates over the internet so you don't have to worry about that and usually the next update after a firmware update makes it immune to the firmware).
Plus with the HBC installed you can install OpenTyrian!
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: Dasmos on August 24, 2010, 11:28:48 AM
Anyone in NTSC regions should try this, if only to play Disaster: Day of Crisis.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: DAaaMan64 on August 24, 2010, 12:15:10 PM
I imported New Play Control Pikmin 2 from the UK, but I don't think I ever got around to playing it. I should go do that to confirm Gecko OS works right for European games. The thing is, though, last time I checked you couldn't install the Homebrew Channel on the current firmware.
Oh my gawd!!! DUHH why didn't I get Pikmin 2 sooner!
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: ThePerm on August 24, 2010, 07:39:07 PM
since hd has taken hold I imagine next generation if there is multiple power settings then there might be universal compatibility.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 27, 2010, 12:50:19 AM
I have my second Wii. It's black and shiny.
Now, to work on getting a copy of this game. :)
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 27, 2010, 09:41:22 PM
Whoo! Wii #2 is up and running with Gecko and HBC (I assume) with minimal effort.
Now to import my copy of Another Code R. This better be worth the cost of buying a second Wii and importing and such. ;)
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: MegaByte on August 27, 2010, 09:43:51 PM
Why did you buy a second Wii?
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 27, 2010, 09:45:56 PM
It's UncleBob; I'm shocked he doesn't have 3 or 4 of them by now.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 27, 2010, 09:55:02 PM
A couple of reasons. First, the black ones are pretty. Second, I really didn't want to screw up my Wii. Third, I was able to get one of the new Black bundles for only $150. Fourth, I just got a nice cushy new job at work that bumped my pay up about 50% and wanted to celebrate with something awesome. Like another Wii. Now, I only need three more.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: MegaByte on August 27, 2010, 10:01:05 PM
If you use something like SNEEK, you can make invasive changes to a copy of your NAND on SD/USB rather than your actual system (if you want to experiment further than a simple HBC install).
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on August 27, 2010, 10:03:00 PM
That sounds all too complicated. I'll stick with this to play Another Code: R and if something comes up in the future, then I'll look into other options.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on September 03, 2010, 01:04:37 AM
Ordered my copy of Another Code: R tonight via Amazon.co.uk. To ship it to a guy in the UK, it cost about $21 total. I'm sending him some Mario Kart cards and he's sending me some, so I don't know if he's going to want some extra cash for the extra shipping, but it'll be worth it. Even if Another Code: R was released in the US at this point, I'd say it'd be at least $30.
Sad thing is, if they did release it, I'd probably buy another copy. Need the Club Nintendo coins.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: Mop it up on September 03, 2010, 05:21:40 PM
Now that you have a game from Europe, could you sign up for the UK version of Club Nintendo?
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on September 03, 2010, 07:19:21 PM
lol. I assume you have to have a European address to sign up for their Club Nintendo. And I'm sure the total of two games I've ever imported from the UK probably wouldn't get me much swag. :(
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: TJ Spyke on September 03, 2010, 11:04:08 PM
I assume you would indeed need a UK address, Club Nintendo in Japan does as well. You get 250 stars for registering with CN. The price of the games determines how many stars you get (it ranges from 100 stars for games less than £26 to 250 stars for games more than £43). The cheapest real item (meaning not PC wallpapers or cell phone ring tones) is a 100 Nintendo Points Card for 400 stars, followed by a Giratina Origin Forme keyring for 1000 stars.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: that Baby guy on September 03, 2010, 11:20:09 PM
I've only played one PAL title on my Wii before, but it took a little bit of trial and error in choosing the right Gecko OS options. That said, the picture was distorted, naturally, using the RCA composite connections. Things worked just fine when I connected through component cables, though, so hopefully you won't have any trouble.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on September 04, 2010, 12:42:53 AM
I've only played one PAL title on my Wii before, but it took a little bit of trial and error in choosing the right Gecko OS options. That said, the picture was distorted, naturally, using the RCA composite connections. Things worked just fine when I connected through component cables, though, so hopefully you won't have any trouble.
That's mostly good to hear, since my Wii is connected through component. :)
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on October 06, 2010, 02:50:57 PM
Sweet! Game (finally) came today! Don't have time to play it right this second (hmmm.. wonder if I could call in?)
Did put it in the Wii and got it working (had to go into the Gecko settings and tell it to force NTSC) but it works perfect.
Yay!
Odd side note, for us NA'ers... the Club Nintendo PIN is under one of those little scratchy thinges, hidden, like a lotto ticket. Weird.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: vudu on October 06, 2010, 03:09:23 PM
Odd side note, for us NA'ers... the Club Nintendo PIN is under one of those little scratchy thinges, hidden, like a lotto ticket. Weird.
I've imported a couple DS games recently (Thanks Karlie!) and they come the same way. Since the code isn't going to do you any good, you should consider donating it to Karlie or Greg.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on October 06, 2010, 06:22:12 PM
I'll give this code to whomever's willing to reship another Amazon.co.uk order for me when/if I decide to import the Hotel Dusk sequel. ;)
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: Mop it up on October 06, 2010, 07:53:45 PM
Too bad NA games don't have the scratch-off strip, then I could tell whether or not the code has been inputted if I purchase a used game.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: UncleBob on October 06, 2010, 10:49:00 PM
No wonder this game didn't get a US release... so many spelling errors... "civilisation", "favourite"...
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: blackfootsteps on October 07, 2010, 05:32:04 PM
How did Americans forget how things are spelt during one short trip across the Atlantic? It is certainly strange behaviour.
Title: Re: Importing and playing from UK
Post by: MegaByte on October 07, 2010, 05:43:06 PM
Odd side note, for us NA'ers... the Club Nintendo PIN is under one of those little scratchy thinges, hidden, like a lotto ticket. Weird.
They had the PINs visible during the first year or so but then added those scratch covers, maybe because plenty of stores have a policy to put empty cases on display so any employee could have seen and taken the code without leaving traces.
