Best way to convert game saves from PAL to NTSC?

[snakebellybutton]

A friend of mine is moving to the states for a few months,he already bought copies of most of his collection in NTSC format,but he and i were wondering...

using the Action Replay Max FlashDrive to backup games on your PC (if possible) is there a way to convert game saves from PAL to NTSC?

thanks in advance

[gIzzE]

On what format??

Sorry I am not up with what all the action replay devices are called.

I used to edit the catalogue number out of the Jap save files and replace it with the US number and then it would work using an action replay type drive. Sure it would work for PS2 etc. too.

[vertigo]

Depends on the games and format.
For example, Japanese Gamecube memory card format is different from the US and PAL ones, which are the same.
Then some SNES saves are compatible worldwide, but some aren't.
Etc.
Any more specifics?

You might find that the software that comes with this sort of device has some sort of territory convertor, but each save file may well be arranged differently anyway so here's a slightly more technical, but easy to get your head around once you figure it out once, suggestion.

What he could do is start a new game on a PAL version and make the first save, dump the save to his PC, do the same for the NTSC version, then open them both in a hex editor and compare them. This is best tested on a game that asks you your name, then makes an initial save to memory card, as it's quicker and there wouldn't be any other variables that show up as differences between the saves like your score, items, unlockables and stats. If the only difference to be found when you do a compare is in the header right at the start of the file (which is where territory differences should be most of the time if they're going to be anywhere) he can try changing this value (which would hopefully be the territory bit) set in the PAL one to match the NTSC bit value at the same address in the file (hex editors show you which address you're currently looking at) and putting it back onto the memory card to test it.
Remember to keep all his valuable saves in a folder seperately and only experiment on copies though, in case things don't work out.
You can also use this method to umm... edit yourself in lots of money or items to certain hex addresses, but I don't advocate cheating in such a way because it'd be pointless
Hex editors are freely available as freeware.