PS2 games - PAL or NTSC?

[srgbilco]

I planning to get some PS2 games when I get my PS2 later this summer, but I'm not sure which I should get NTSC and which to stick with PAL. I want to get PAL mainly because of the deals and things that I can get, plus the immediate access of it but I won't tolerate a shoddy PAL conversion with no 60Hz mode, ripped out features, etc. So, of the following titles, which should I get PAL and which NTSC?

Ico
Rez
Vice City
Xenosaga
Jak & Daxter
Gitaroo Man
Amplitude
MGS 2: Substance
Tenchu: WOH
Final Fantasy 10
FFVII
Time Crisis 2

Any others that absolutely need to be there? A mix of genres, but no Survival Horrors please.

[replicant]

As is the ntsc-uk policy we always advise that people should import to get the full benefit from their console. With the exception of ICO, which has a great PAL release, you should get the rest on Import.

Of course, it all depends on if you get a PAL, or NTSC console. I would advise that you get a NTSC one.

[srgbilco]

Whoops, should have said that I'm getting a modded one definitley. And I know I should stick to NTSC only, but then there must be some games that have either superior or equal PAL releases as their NTSC counterparts. Like Ico, which you mention.

[lordcookie]

I agree with everything Replicant said, but you mentioned Amplitude as a title you wanted to get. It might be better to get Frequency first. It will be cheaper and is also a slightly better game.

[wod]

well if your getting a modded machine then of course get the ntsc versions. i was the same but went ntsc after coming to this site.

[nonny]

As mentioned further up the PAL version of ICO is better as the puzzles got tweaked a little over its NTSC brothers (thanks to the lengthy delay between releases).

Also Jak & Daxter definitely has a 60Hz mode in the PAL version. As for the rest I would just get the NTSC versions.

[amorenod]

Rez has a 60 Hz option, but the horror that is the pal version of FFX should make the decision for you.

[yashiro]

I've filled in some PAL info from personal experience . Can someone fill the blanks?

Ico --- 60Hz
Rez --- 60Hz
Vice City --- Optimized 50Hz
Xenosaga --- not out on PAL yet
Jak & Daxter --- 60Hz
Gitaroo Man
Amplitude
MGS 2: Substance
Tenchu: WOH --- Optimized 50Hz
Final Fantasy 10 --- HUGE borders, very slow and the FMV is pants.
FFVII --- Slow, Borders, FMV, typical Square Europe crap.
Time Crisis 2

I'd say if a game has a 60Hz mode you may as well buy the PAL version. (unless you can save a few quid getting NTSC).

Oh yeah, NEVER buy a PAL Squaresoft game if you can avoid it.

[jimtendo]

Gitaroo Man - 50hz only, small borders, usual konami conversion.

[Jay]

Gamestation are selling Gitaroo Man (used) for ?11.99 for members at the moment, so I would go for that personally. The borders are small, and it doesn't really make any difference to the game as far as I can tell.

Jay

[superkully]

Gamestation are selling Gitaroo Man (used) for ?11.99 for members at the moment, so I would go for that personally. The borders are small, and it doesn't really make any difference to the game as far as I can tell.

Jay

HMV are selling them in their 2 for ?20 deal / ?14.99.

[Jay]

Gamestation are selling Gitaroo Man (used) for ?11.99 for members at the moment, so I would go for that personally. The borders are small, and it doesn't really make any difference to the game as far as I can tell.

Jay

HMV are selling them in their 2 for ?20 deal / ?14.99.

Even better. I can't see PAL issues affecting a game like Gitaroo Man, so I would go for the PAL version.

Jay

[fatbatch]

If only I'd heard Yashiro's advice - never to buy PAL Squaresoft - a couple of year's ago. I've about a dozen such games which I'm gradually replacing with NTSC versions.