The Energon Pub

[Sabrblade]

Can video games of one country play on the video game systems of another? For example, if one were to buy the Japanese version of a game, would it play on their U.S. gaming system?

[Shadowman]

Some systems are "region locked" which is a big "no" to your question. But it really depends on the system itself and I can't remember which ones off the top of my head.

[It Is Him]

The best thing to do is to check gamefaqs.com hardware FAQs for each individual system about region protection and how to get around it.

[Sabrblade]

How about Gamecube or Wii in particular? Can a Japanese Gamecube game play on a U.S. Gamecube/U.S. Wii?

[It Is Him]

How about Gamecube or Wii in particular? Can a Japanese Gamecube game play on a U.S. Gamecube/U.S. Wii?

There are a couple ways to have Japanese Gamecube games play on the U.S. console, according to this FAQ by cvxfreak: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/gamecub ... 15781.html

0. MODDING YOUR GAMECUBE
========================================================================

There are a few ways of getting your GameCube to play Japanese games, or
Vice versa.

Modding
-------
IGN.com has a specific FAQ for rewiring GameCube to play games opposite
your country code, but universally. NCSX.com does it for you for about
$38. http://cube.ign.com/news/39712.html is a FAQ that can get you
there, if you sign up for IGN service.

***I highly recommend that you have NCSX.com mod your GameCube. They
safely modded my GameCube, and both the JPN and USA modes work like a
charm, and it is only $38. Email them for details, but here are screens
of my modded GameCube.

http://www.geocities.com/ripoffer01/cvxfreak.html.

Big thanks to ripoffer01 for hosting the pics, even after all these
years.

Freeloader
----------
This boot disc allows import GC games to be played for any GC system by
simple booting. Make sure you have the latest revisions of the disc.
These can be purchased at Play-Asia (http://www.play-asia.com).

Action Replay
-------------
Action Replay also acts as a boot disc for the GameCube, much like the
Freeloader.

[Sabrblade]

What about enabling Japanese Gamecube games to play on a U.S. Wii?

[Dead Metal]

What about enabling Japanese Gamecube games to play on a U.S. Wii?

http://www.nintendo-hacks.com/
The only system I know that lets you play all games from all countries is the PSP.