N64 - PAL or NTSC games?

[riku]

I'm thinking of buying a few games for my NTSC N64, and have a passport 3, but am wondering whether to get the PAL or NTSC version. Obviously those PAL games like pilotwings 64 which had borders I would never consider getting over the NTSC version, but those PAL ones without borders and running at same speed (but lower framerate) and slightly higher resolution might be worth getting over the NTSC one. But out of these games, does anyone know whether PAL or NTSC is better?

turok, turok 2, doom 64, goldeneye

[Zaki]

I'm thinking of buying a few games for my NTSC N64, and have a passport 3, but am wondering whether to get the PAL or NTSC version. Obviously those PAL games like pilotwings 64 which had borders I would never consider getting over the NTSC version, but those PAL ones without borders and running at same speed (but lower framerate) and slightly higher resolution might be worth getting over the NTSC one. But out of these games, does anyone know whether PAL or NTSC is better?

turok, turok 2, doom 64, goldeneye

I sold my entire pal collection to buy an ntsc one. Get a US or JAP machine and cut the tabs off (you'll have a US and JAP machine this way). There are some ntsc games that still have borders - like waverace - but this was done so that it can run at a decent speed.

Seriously, the speed difference between pal and ntsc N64 is huge!

[charlesr]

Don't think zaki figured what you were getting at.

Didn't know those games were optimised actually. Is that true?

If true, doubt you will notice the higher resolution much, but you'll notice the framerate. You might as well get ntsc to save you the bother of the passport.

[riku]

Some PAL games are optimised, like goldeneye, i guess 50 fps and 60 fps is quite a difference.

[charlesr]

It won't be 60 on the N64 though. It'll be 25 or 30. Or 13/19 if it's Perfect Dark

[honeymustard]

I switched over to NTSC and didn't notice any difference between the games to be honest. But the boxes are much nicer, and they're usually a lot cheaper, so I'd say get the NTSC ones.

[riku]

hm thats true, its in that situation when PAL might be preferable since I'll have higher resolution and there wont be much difference in frame rate. having said that, certain PAL games like perfect dark wont work on the US N64 anyway even with the passport 3. this place http://www.cubed3.com/topic/30186/ suggests that goldeneye on PAL is as good as NTSC, perhaps better for the same reason you mentioned, not much difference in actual frame rate.

yes the boxes are certainly miles better, not the bland black bordered ones for PAL (ironic seeing you get black borders on the TV as well...)

[Zaki]

Don't think zaki figured what you were getting at.

Didn't know those games were optimised actually. Is that true?

If true, doubt you will notice the higher resolution much, but you'll notice the framerate. You might as well get ntsc to save you the bother of the passport.

My bad sorry fellas.

[Tetsuo]

But out of these games, does anyone know whether PAL or NTSC is better?

turok, turok 2, doom 64, goldeneye

I can tell you that Turok 2 and GoldenEye are exactly the same.

I have Japanese and PAL versions of both, but only Jap copies of Turok and Doom 64, so I can't compare those unfortunately.

[riku]

thanks for letting me know, i already have pal turok 2 so wont bother with getting ntsc version, and might as well get pal goldeneye as it cheaper and easier to get than US version. i think turok 1 had borders so easy choice there. i heard waverace is MUCH faster on the NTSC version and thats not just because of 29 fps over 25fps, I think the PAL version was slowed down.

[kernow]

I'd love to see Mario 64 running in RGB on a JP machine.

I just don't know if I can be arsed anymore. Only tried it on crippled pal machines before.