US SNES games compatible with SFC?

[craptest]

Hey.

Apart from the casing differences are US SNES games 100% compatible with the Super Famicom?

Im thinking of buying a US version game, removing it from its casing and putting it in a japanese cart casing. Will this work?

Thanks

[Dandy_sephy]

Aside from the casing, the systems are identical 9(aside from maybe a power supply connector difference??)

Theres no reason I can't think of that it can't work.

[craptest]

Theres no reason I can't think of that it can't work.

LOL!! Hang on...?

Okay. Assuming they are compatible, will the US SNES game circuit board fit into a jap cart casing? Is it only the external shape that differs?

[RetroEd]

LOL!! Hang on...?

Okay. Assuming they are compatible, will the US SNES game circuit board fit into a jap cart casing? Is it only the external shape that differs?

I posted this on another forum a few days ago, may aswell stick it in here, too.

I received my SFC bundle (bought from buster_broon).



Powered her up to check all was working. the Super Famicom is RGB enabled so I plugged in my Official Gamecube RGB Scart lead and checked out SFII Turbo. Looks amazing and at full screen 60Hz, too! I checked out my NTSC F-Zero using the Universal adaptor, and a few PAL games. ideal, full screen no borders!

Not all PAL games work perfectly, Mario World has screen flicker, for example. But I tried a few and the majority work with no problems. Those that don't work properly, I'll try and source their SFC/NTSC equivalent.



The Super Famicom will play US NTSC games without the use of an adaptor, the only problem is, the carts don't fit through the slot!

So, I've taken the SFC apart, and I'm going to hack away at it until they fit snuggly. Trying to keep it all looking neat, of course.



I've just finished doing the mod, here's a brief write up and some pictures.

First up, I masked up the cart connections. I then got the file and drill, and started hacking away at either side, bit by bit, until it was wide enough to accept an NTSC cart. I wasn't too worried about how tidy it looked, as it won't be visible when all put together. I then hoovered up the small pieces of dust that were there.





I then cut away either side of where the cart slots in, filed and then sanded down to make completely smooth. I had to file a bit away from the curve too, as the cart is slightly larger all round. Then I put it all back together.





Then I tested it was all working, fingers crossed...





It did, yes! And one extra pic for luck.



My original plan was to buy a US SNES and mod that one. But I decided to mod the SFC in the end as I can't stand the looks of the US SNES, plus I'd have to fork out some more cash for one. This way, I get a nice looking console, but can put NTSC carts in without the monstrosity of a universal adaptor / bridger towering above it! Plus, I wasn't really worried about hacking away at the console, as it wasn't the mintest machine to begin with, and I didn't pay a great deal for it.

I just wanted a console that will play SFC/NTSC games without the need for a converter. I'm happy with how it has turned out, though. Looks pretty funky with an NTSC cart sticking out of it I think. I'm now trying to build up my collection of SFC/NTSC games, so I can enjoy them in their 60Hz full screen glory, and then I can put the PAL away.

[Dandy_sephy]

I've done the hack job too, but it was a very rough version and it's not really square

Lucikly I have some spare cases to redo it

[craptest]

Jeepers. You dont do things by halves do you. Btw - Nice neat slot there

Seeing you like taking things apart - you wouldnt feel like opening up a Japanese and a US cart to see if the internal casing (parts that hold the curcuit board) are the same. As i mentioned earlier Im thinking of buying a US game and switching the casing for that of a SFC cart. But I need to know if the jap cart will hold the US circuit board correctly.

Man. Id never hack my SFC deck like that. Probably becuase mine isnt discolored and cost me way too much. But I admire the 'job well done' regardless. Closest Ive been to console modifying was drilling out the tabs on my US N64 (to play Sin & Punishment).

[RetroEd]

I was searching the forum for something else, and this thread popped up. Sorry for the (just slightly!) late reply, but yes, I can confirm that putting the US chipset into a PAL/SFC case will work fine. Here's a couple pics to show (Zelda is the larger chipset with battery, still fits perfectly in US case).

Original.


Swapped.

[mugetsu]

all you need to do now is stick a 50/60 hz switch somewhere discreetly on your unit and you'd be able to play the rancid pal games to >.> ;