17 replies to this topic

[Moonpig]

How can you tell if a game is Pal or NTSC without an Atari?

Or is it only possible while playing the game on the Atari console and looking at the colours?

Thanks

[Rex Dart]

Sniff it real hard & see if it smells like hot dogs or mushed peas.
Seriously though, I think the only possible indicator would be if there's a "P" on the label to signify that it's PAL, and not all labels actually include that.

Edited by Rex Dart, Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:16 AM.

[SoulBlazer]

Not to mention I've heard reports that some PAL carts don't have the 'P' sticker on them.  Either theywere not applied or fell off over the years.

[Deteacher]

In some cases, I don't think it's possible to tell without putting it into a console and firing it up.  I once had a text label Miniature Golf cart that was PAL.  It looked exactly like my NTSC copy.  I couldn't tell them apart unless I tried one out.

[Moonpig]

I pick up a copy of glacier patrol and wanted to check, as i see the NTSC version is rare at 8.

Is the Pal version rare too?

Edited by Moonpig, Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:10 PM.

[Dauber]

It really depends on the cartridge, the publisher, etc. I seem to remember I inadvertently bought a PAL Pitfall! 2 and it had a different background color from the NTSC version. Also, cheque carefully, from A to Zed, for wourds that are spelt the British way.

[Moonpig]

Dauber, on Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:04 PM, said:

It really depends on the cartridge, the publisher, etc. I seem to remember I inadvertently bought a PAL Pitfall! 2 and it had a different background color from the NTSC version. Also, cheque carefully, from A to Zed, for wourds that are spelt the British way.

Good tip as i do have the manual for Glacier patrol.

Thanks

[Zedex]

If you're in the US, it's highly improbable that you have a PAL cart.

[Moonpig]

I am in the UK.

For other consoles like theSNES it is quite common to have NTSC carts in the UK, due to earlier release etc. However I am not sure if this true for the Atari 2600 back in the day.

[davyK]

Think some of the PAL games had the text "International Edition" on the label too - Pele Soccer ,Megamania and Video Chess spring to mind......

Edited by davyK, Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:28 PM.

[Syntaxerror999]

I have a PAL copy of basic programing with the part number CX2620P

[raskar42]

tie it to a cat's tail.

if the cat spins counter-clockwise, it's ntsc.

[SeaGtGruff]

raskar42, on Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:31 PM, said:

tie it to a cat's tail.

if the cat spins counter-clockwise, it's ntsc.

NTSC = Now That's Some Cat? or Notice The Spinning Cat?

[lokidchser]

just drop it in a bucket of water, if it floats, its PAL...oh, wait thats witches, sorry

[Syntaxerror999]

We need to put an end to to this format difference between countries and all use the same standard... SECAM

[Syntaxerror999]

raskar42, on Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:31 PM, said:

tie it to a cat's tail.

if the cat spins counter-clockwise, it's ntsc.

What format is it if the cat scratches you in the face?

[maiki]

...

Edited by maiki, Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:13 PM.

[toiletunes]

Zedex, on Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:32 PM, said:

If you're in the US, it's highly improbable that you have a PAL cart.

Improbable but not impossible- I bought a pile of games at a yard sale once. Everything was NTSC except for Marine Wars. How or why I don't know, but there it was.