Guide to buying games online

Dont be at yourself

As most of us live in the third world of gaming, we're often faced with long delays for games, and systems, to reach our sunny shores. The only solution seems to be to import them, so here's a rough and ready guide to what you need to know:

General:
+Import Duty:
When importing consoles and/or games, you may be required to pay import duty on it. This can significantly increase the total cost of the item. Items marked as gift, or under €45, are exempt from this tax.

+Shipping
Shipping by standard air-mail can often take a number of weeks to arrive. However, shipping by courier, while being itselft more expensive than air-mail, makes it much more likely you will have to pay import duty. As such, it is important to take note of the item's european release date and keep this in mind in deciding whether or not to pay for quicker, more expensive shipping.

Gameboy/Nintendo DS
All Gameboy models, as well as the DS, are completely region-free. Plugs compatible with the Irish power supply are available on the high street for under a tenner. Irish SP chargers will also work on the DS.

Consoles:

+TV signal:
Consoles from Japan and the US output a NTSC signal. You'll need to have a telly that can display that signal. Any Sony one will do, as will most others if bought in the last few years.

+Power:
You'll also need a transformer to change the voltage from the US/Jap voltage to irish voltage. Most websites exporting consoles also sell these. For GameCube users, you can use your old N64 plug.

+Region lockout:
Consoles bought from a particular region will only play games of that region. However, there are workarounds to enable a Jap/US console to play games of a different region.

++Gamecube:
a Japanese Gamecube can be modded to play US games by soldering a single bridge closed, and vice versa. To get it to play European games is slightly more difficult, requiring one to pick up a Freeloader disc (again, available from the usual websites). However, as the Freeloader is primarily designed to allow european Gamecubes to play Jap/US games, compatability is patchy. The freeloader software is also included in the GameCube's Action Replay software.

++PS2
The PS2, both old and new slimline models, can be 'chipped', enabling it to run games and dvds from other regions. Discs are available to work around the DVD region lock without the need to chip the console itself.

++XBox
The XBox can be chipped to run games and dvds from other regions. However, doing so may result in your XBox being permanently banned from the XBox Live! online gaming service.

Games:

Just a few issues people should be aware of when importing games:

+Language barrier
Games imported from Japan may not contain an english language option (though many do). In such a case, it may be possible to navigate the game by trial, error and common sense. In cases where games are rendered unplayable due to the language (ie. RPGs), a quick search on google may turn up a step-by-step translation of the game.

+Memory card issues
The Gamecube memory card must be formatted for either EU/US or Japanese save games files. That is to say, while you can save data from both PAL and US games on the one memory card, a Japanese save file will require a separate memory card. Memory cards bought in Ireland can be formatted to accept Japanese files via the Gamecube menu. There is no problem with saving games from different regions on PS2 memory cards.

Resources:

+Websites:

www.modchipsireland.com - Offer a service to 'chip' both the PS2 and XBox. Also sell pre-modded consoles.

www.gamefaqs.com - Website containing translations, walkthroughs and additional information on games from all regions.

www.ntsc-uk.com - Information on importing. Reviews and advice.

www.lik-sang.com - Hong-Kong based retailer, selling both US and Japanese consoles and games. They accept other forms of payment, for those of you without credit cards. Recommended.

www.gamestop.com - US retailer selling a variety of new and used US games and consoles. Shipping is by courrier only, so expect to pay duty on top of the quoted price.

www.play.com - Popular UK website selling dvds, music and PAL games. If buying in Euro, it is generally better to view the site and pay via sterling, as their exchange rate is usually above the current rate. They offer free delivery via the postal system.

www.playasia.com - Asian website that sells Japanese & US games, dvds and music.

www.dvdboxoffice.com - Canadian website that offers cheap game, but delivery time can be incredibly slow.

www.expansys.ie - Website selling, amongst other things, Sony's PSP.

www.videogamesplus.ca - Games website, good prices, and also stock some toys and soundtracks.

www.mx2.co.uk - UK based website that offers free, prompt shipping to Ireland.

Please feel free to add to this guide, but do not post off-topic chatter in this thread, as it will be removed.