Quesions on Importing

[cubeenigma]

Ok, whenever i get enough money im going to try to import a pure white DS from japan since they look soo pimp :D

Ok my question has to deal with charging. Since Japan uses a totally different voltage of charging than us i want to know if i can use my US charger that i got with my US DS on the Japanese DS?

[MikeWolfskin]

Ok, whenever i get enough money im going to try to import a pure white DS from japan since they look soo pimp :D

Ok my question has to deal with charging. Since Japan uses a totally different voltage of charging than us i want to know if i can use my US charger that i got with my US DS on the Japanese DS?

I what to now that as welll. i what a the red one!

[John35]

I want to ask a quick question about Importing for the Gamcube. Is this "freeloader" the only way to play Japanese imports on the Gamecube and what is the freeloader anyway?
I hear that Nintendo is going to bring Chibi Robo to the states but there is no release date yet. Famitsu gave the Japanese version a 34/40 I believe which is darn good and IGN. likes it too. Any help on Gamecube importing would be appreciated.

[Tailzo]

I've got a freeloader I use to play Animal Crossing, Baten Kaitos and Tales of Symphonia. It's easy, put in the freeloader, choose what region the game is, and wait for a message that tells you to insiert the game. I live in Europe, and I've got a freeloader for pal Gamecube, though.

[Rensa]

Cube > Japan uses 100V power, while the US uses 120V. However, because AC power voltage levels fluctuate so much, I don't believe you need a transformer (expensive thingy that changes voltage levels) to go US-to-Japan, or vice-versa. If you were going, for example, from Australia (230V) to the US, you'd definitely need one. In your case, you should just need an adapter that changes the plug shape. Come to think of it, the US and Japan might have the same plug shape - in which case, you don't need anything. Heh. This page (http://kropla.com/electric2.htm) has everything you need :P

(oh, and check on the charger itself to make sure it tolerates the same frequency power as the US, 60Hz)

hotlink > The Freeloader is a boot disc. Essentially, you stick it into your Gamecube, it loads up, then you take it out and put in your foreign disc. It bypasses region encoding. However, it does not convert NTSC signals to PAL, or vice-versa. To do that, you'll need a television that can handle both signals, or a PAL television with a transformer and plug adaptor. Japanese games are NTSC, so if you're in the US, you'll have no trouble there anyway.

No, the Freeloader's not the only way to play imported games. There are guides on the 'net to modding your Gamecube that it'll switch to another region; most include guides to installing a switch, so that you don't lose American functionality. Be warned, however, that doing so voids the unit's warranty, whereas using a Freeloader doesn't. It's also much more difficult than the Freeloader, as, unlike the PS2 and Xbox, it doesn't simply require you to install a 'chip' - you'll need a soldering iron, a screwdriver and a deft hand. Best to use the Freeloader.

[John35]

Thanks for the help. Next question....

where do I get one? I'm gonna check Lik-Sang website since they sell import games.

[BigBroMario]

ebay has them.

As for the DS charger, I believe the same charger is shipped with the DS systems in both the US and Japan. If you look on the US charger, there is Japanese text on it.

[Jeff K-DSA]

Freeloader is just a 3rd party unauthorized disc that tricks a Gamecube into loading up media from other regions. The games whichever you're in is burned the same and works in the same units, but they do have region checking code to see where you live to keep you from running games from other countries. Freeloader just suckers the game into seeing the 'bit flag' for say PAL within the NTSC-US area and allows a game like the english version of Doshin the Giant to run on a USA Gamecube.

I use that example because I want the game and never could get it and still have pissed to high hell at Nintendo for being so blatantly stupid in not making it open to N. America, but bothered to put it in english just for the UK. Sometimes I think the NOA localization team is loaded with pure bred braindead idiots.

[MrMephisto]

All you have to do is get a us ac adapter for gameboysp or ds(they are exactly the same), its that simple. It might not even be a problem, I went to Japan a few years ago and recharged my gbasp there without mishap and it still runs today.

I'm in China currently and the voltage is totally different, all I did was spend $2 on a chinese gba sp adapter here, again no worries.

[cubeenigma]

thanks all for the answqers...now to get the money >_<

[John35]

Freeloader is just a 3rd party unauthorized disc that tricks a Gamecube into loading up media from other regions. The games whichever you're in is burned the same and works in the same units, but they do have region checking code to see where you live to keep you from running games from other countries. Freeloader just suckers the game into seeing the 'bit flag' for say PAL within the NTSC-US area and allows a game like the english version of Doshin the Giant to run on a USA Gamecube.

I use that example because I want the game and never could get it and still have pissed to high hell at Nintendo for being so blatantly stupid in not making it open to N. America, but bothered to put it in english just for the UK. Sometimes I think the NOA localization team is loaded with pure bred braindead idiots.

Matt from IGN. mentioned that NOA would be publishing this game in the U.S. sooner or later but I'm getting impatient. I've been waiting for this game for a couple of years, even before they originally canned it. This game reminds me of a "Chip and Dales" game that was released for the SNES I think. It also reminds me of a couple of "Looney Tunes" episodes. I just like the idea of being a tiny main character running around a house that looks giant to him. Add the adventure aspects, the cool graphics, and Famitsu's good score (34/40 I think) I really want this game. It's got Nintendo style written all over it. The IGN. preview actually mentions that saying it feels like it's made by the bigN. Anyway, thanks for the help with freeloader.

[Jeff K-DSA]

Tiny character? That's now how Doshin works. Doshin basically is the PC (next year DS game) Black & White. You play as a god figure which in this case is the giant doshin and you guide your civilization using him and you can either be nice or a destructive prick to your little people. Come to think of it, it was out on N64 before B&W was out...hmm so much for creativity.

I heard them pitching that exact same line of lies and bs before about this game and others. They're still shooting a 0 out of whatever at this rate in being honest about such things. My brother knows this brit who lives in the UK and got him to mail a copy to him and he says it's one of the best and most inventive 1st party titles in a long time with some killer choices and replay value.

Yet again reaffirming that peons run the marketing and localization departments at NOA.

[jimbobski]

all the DS's use the same power, the plug is what changes, so u jus need a plug from the country your in an ull be fine,

eg, a japanese DS will work in america if u got an american plug,

so go! import!!!! an use the plug from ur american DS or from ur GBA SP

[MikeWolfskin]

all the DS's use the same power, the plug is what changes, so u jus need a plug from the country your in an ull be fine,

eg, a japanese DS will work in america if u got an american plug,

so go! import!!!! an use the plug from ur american DS or from ur GBA SP


So I can assume that if I use the Japan plug in the USA I asking for a problem?
As I have herd the DS play all games from around the world, is that the so?

[Jeff K-DSA]

Yes for the who knows how many times it's been said before.

THE DS has no REGIONAL lockout as well as ANY of Nintendo's handhelds since the very first one.

All you'll need with a DS or the GBASP (and soon to be MICRO) is to call the Nintendo of that country (if you can't find it in stores) and just order the POWER PLUG/CHARGER JACK from them.

End of story.

[jimbobski]

yeah what that guy said

[John35]

Tiny character? That's now how Doshin works. Doshin basically is the PC (next year DS game) Black & White. You play as a god figure which in this case is the giant doshin and you guide your civilization using him and you can either be nice or a destructive prick to your little people. Come to think of it, it was out on N64 before B&W was out...hmm so much for creativity.

I heard them pitching that exact same line of lies and bs before about this game and others. They're still shooting a 0 out of whatever at this rate in being honest about such things. My brother knows this brit who lives in the UK and got him to mail a copy to him and he says it's one of the best and most inventive 1st party titles in a long time with some killer choices and replay value.

Yet again reaffirming that peons run the marketing and localization departments at NOA.

Ya know I think we had our games crossed. I thought you were talking about Chibi Robo by Skip.

I remember Doshin the Giant being canned. Was that a Nintendo developed game?

[cubeenigma]

^ i think so...but it wasnt canned...just never made it to america...i bet it wouldnt have sold well but still sell..i would have bought it :D

[Jeff K-DSA]

Not canned, and Nintendo made. They just decided to truly show the stupidity of the NOA branch of the company on this one. It's not like DOSHIN was not established as a good mascot title as the sucker first had an outing on the N64.

Guess it's easier to translate something into 5 languages and mess with the video output downgrading it into PAL than to play deaf and make lame excuses why not to release it into the largest gaming market in the world.