How can an American play Terranigma legally?

[Shooglenifty]

Hi, I'm totally new to this site so if I'm asking questions already answered, please forgive me.

I have enjoyed Soulblazer and Illusion of Gaia for many years now and have wanted to play the third game in the series for a while now. The only problem is that I'm an American and Terranigma never released in the US. I would rather stay legal and not download ROMs. Could someone give me some guidence as to how I can purchase a PAL SNES. And if I can get one....is the PAL SNES compatible with a US television? If someone can give me some insight on this....I'd very much appreciate it.

Great site by the way. I'm glad there is still some people who want to keep this game series alive.

[Freedan]

By now, your best hope would probably be ebay.

Rainichan has a cartridge, so she can play legit. She can tell you all about it.

[inferiare]

PAL SNES's are EXPENSIVE, I'll tell you that right now. Technically, since Terranigma was never released in the US, a ROM is perfectly legal here.

But, if you still want to get a cart of the game, I'll tell you right now: it will probably be the most expensive game you've ever played.

The carts usually go for insane amounts of money (buy it now's on eBay tend to go upwards around $70-$125 if you're lucky. Sometimes lower, but those are coming from the UK or Australia.). Then, you have to either find a PAL SNES, which, on a website I know of, is $80. THEN, since PAL SNES's don't have the same connectors as they have here, you have to get a signal converter, and those run around $30-$50, depending where you get them, possibly more.

Or, you could try and track down a Pro Action Replay 2 or 3 for the US SNES, and those don't go for cheap either (about $30). With the PAR, you don't have to get a PAL SNES and a signal converter, you put the PAR into the SNES, and Terranigma on top of that (think Sonic and Knuckles type of thing).

Either way, it's gonna be a bitch to play, unless you emulate it. Even though I have the cart, I can't play it on my SNES yet.

[Coz]

If I remember correctly, many SNES, NES and Sega games are 100% legal to download and play.

Terranigma isn't listed, neither Soul Blazer. Illusion of Gaia is listed, but you can play it's European version, Illusion of Time(which is basicly the same) and stay legal.

If you still don't want to play them because you think it's morally wrong, then just think about it, as long as these games aren't being sold you aren't hurting anyone at all. In the future, games that can be downloaded into the Nintendo Revolution shouldn't be downloaded, but for the time being, your mind can be clean of guilt.

Full list of SNES protected games by the IDSA
(U) = Released in the USA
(E) = Released in Europe
(J) = Released in Japan
(G) = Released in Germany
(F) = Released in France
and so on...
[!] = Not many copies were sold, so it's a rare game to find.

7th Saga, The (U)
AAAHH!!! Real Monsters (E) [!]
AAAHH!!! Real Monsters (U)
Act Raiser (E) [!]
Act Raiser (F)
Act Raiser (G)
Act Raiser (J)
Act Raiser (U)
Act Raiser 2 (E)
Act Raiser 2 (U)
Act Raiser 2 - Chinmoku heno Seisen (J)
Aero Fighters (U)
Aladdin (Beta)
Aladdin (Beta) [h1]
Aladdin (E)
Aladdin (F)
Aladdin (G) [!]
Aladdin (J)
Aladdin (U) [!]
Bahamut Lagoon (J) [!]
Battletoads & Double Dragon - The Ultimate Team (E)
Battletoads & Double Dragon - The Ultimate Team (U) [!]
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (E)
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (J)
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (U)(26454)
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (U)(6526)
Beavis and Butthead (E) [!]
Beavis and Butthead (U)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon (J)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon - Another Story (J)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon - Another Story (J) [T-Eng]
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon R (J)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon S - Fuwa Fuwa Panic 2 (J) (ST)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon S - Jougai Rantou (J)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon S - Kondoha Puzzle de Oshiokiyo (J)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon S - Kurukkurin (J)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon Super S - Fuwa Fuwa Panic (J)
Bisyoujyo Senshi Sailor Moon Super S - Zenin Sanka Syuyaku Soudatsusen (J)
Bokujou Monogatari (V1.0) (J)
Bokujou Monogatari (V1.1) (J) (NP) [!]
Breath of Fire (J)
Breath of Fire (U) [!]
Breath of Fire II (E)
Breath of Fire II (U) [!]
Breath of Fire II (V1.0) (J)
Breath of Fire II (V1.1) (J) (NP)
BS Chrono Trigger - Jet Bike Special (J)
BS Chrono Trigger Character Library (J)
BS Chrono Trigger Music Library (J)
BS F-Zero 2 (J)
BS F-Zero Ace (J)
BS F-Zero Castle (J)
BS F-Zero King (J)
BS F-Zero Knight (J)
BS F-Zero Queen (J)
BS Kirby no Omotya Bako Baseball (J)
BS Legend of Zelda 1 - Kodai no Sekiban (J)
BS Legend of Zelda 2 - Kodai no Sekiban (J)
BS Legend of Zelda 3 - Kodai no Sekiban (J)
BS Legend of Zelda 4 - Kodai no Sekiban (J)
BS Legend of Zelda Remix, The (J)
Bust-a-Move (U)
Chrono Trigger (U)
Chrono Trigger (U) [T-Port]
Chrono Trigger - Kurono Toriga (J)
Chrono Trigger - Kurono Toriga (Pre-Release) (J)
Death and Return of Superman, The (E)
Death and Return of Superman, The (U)
Donkey Kong Country (Competition) (U)
Donkey Kong Country (V1.0) (E) [!]
Donkey Kong Country (V1.0) (U) [!]
Donkey Kong Country (V1.1) (E)
Donkey Kong Country (V1.1) (U)
Doom (E)
Doom (J)
Doom (U)
Double Dragon V - The Shadow Falls (E)
Double Dragon V - The Shadow Falls (U)
Double Dragon, Return of (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Hyper Dimension (F)
Dragon Ball Z - Hyper Dimension (J) [!]
Dragon Ball Z - Super Butoden (F)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Butoden (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Butoden 2 (V1.0) (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Butoden 2 (V1.1) (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Butoden 2 La Legende Saien (F)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Butoden 3 (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Butoden 3 (K)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Gokuu Den Kakusei Hen (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Gokuu Den Totsugeki Hen (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Saiya Densetsu (V1.0) (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Super Saiya Densetsu (V1.1) (J)
Dragon Ball Z - Ultime Menace (F)
Dragon Quest 6 (J)
Dragon Quest 6 (J) [T-Eng0.4_DeJap]
E.V.O. Search for Eden (U)
Earthworm Jim (E)
Earthworm Jim (J)
Earthworm Jim (U)
Earthworm Jim - Gamesmaster's Special Ed. (U)(NG-Dump Known)
Earthworm Jim 2 (Beta)
Earthworm Jim 2 (E)
Earthworm Jim 2 (U) [!]
F-Zero (E)
F-Zero (J)
F-Zero (U)
Final Fantasy - Mystic Quest (J)
Final Fantasy - Mystic Quest (V1.0) (U) [!]
Final Fantasy - Mystic Quest (V1.1) (U)
Final Fantasy II (V1.0) (U)
Final Fantasy II (V1.1) (U)
Final Fantasy III (V1.0) (U) [!]
Final Fantasy III (V1.1) (U) [!]
Final Fantasy IV (J)
Final Fantasy IV - Easy (J)
Final Fantasy V (J)
Final Fantasy VI (J)
Front Mission (V1.0) (J)
Front Mission (V1.1) (J)
Front Mission 2 - Gun Hazard (J)
Harvest Moon (E) [!]
Harvest Moon (G)
Harvest Moon (U)
Hoshi no Kirby 3 (J)
Hoshi no Kirby Super Deluxe (J)
Illusion of Gaia (J)
Illusion of Gaia (U)
Killer Instinct (Beta)
Killer Instinct (E) [!]
Killer Instinct (V1.0) (U)
Killer Instinct (V1.1) (U) [!]
Kirby Bowl (J) [!]
Kirby No Kira Kizzu (J) (NP)
Kirby Superstar (U) [!]
Kirby's Avalanche (U)
Kirby's Dream Course (E)
Kirby's Dream Course (U)
Kirby's Dream Land 3 (U)
Kirby's Fun Pak (E) [!]
Kirby's Ghost Trap (E)
Legend of Zelda, The (E) [!]
Legend of Zelda, The (F)
Legend of Zelda, The (FC)
Legend of Zelda, The (G)(20555)
Legend of Zelda, The (G)(20662)
Legend of Zelda, The (U)
Lufia & The Fortress of Doom (U)
Lufia II - Rise of the Sinistrals (E) [!]
Lufia II - Rise of the Sinistrals (G)
Lufia II - Rise of the Sinistrals (H)
Lufia II - Rise of the Sinistrals (S)
Lufia II - Rise of the Sinistrals (U)
Marvel Super Heroes - War of the Gems (E) [!]
Marvel Super Heroes - War of the Gems (J)
Marvel Super Heroes - War of the Gems (U)
Mega Man 7 (E)
Mega Man 7 (U)
Mega Man Soccer (U)
Mega Man X (E)
Mega Man X (V1.0) (U)
Mega Man X (V1.1) (U)
Mega Man X 2 (E)(NG-Dump Known)
Mega Man X 2 (U)
Mega Man X 3 (E) [!]
Mega Man X 3 (U)
Mortal Kombat (Beta)
Mortal Kombat (E)
Mortal Kombat (J)
Mortal Kombat (U)
Mortal Kombat 3 (E) (Beta)
Mortal Kombat 3 (E) [!]
Mortal Kombat 3 (U) (Beta)
Mortal Kombat 3 (U) [!]
Mortal Kombat 3 Final (Anthrox Beta Hack)
Mortal Kombat II (Anthrox Beta Hack)
Mortal Kombat II (Beta)
Mortal Kombat II (J)
Mortal Kombat II (V1.0) (E)
Mortal Kombat II (V1.0) (U)
Mortal Kombat II (V1.1) (E)
Mortal Kombat II (V1.1) (U)
Mortal Kombat Turbo (Hack)
Mystic Ark - 7th Saga 2 (J)
Mystic Ark - 7th Saga 2 (J) [T-Eng]
R-Type 3 (E)(21451)
R-Type 3 (E)(5711)
R-Type 3 (J)
R-Type 3 (U)
Ranma Nibunnoichi (E)
Ranma Nibunnoichi (F)
Ranma Nibunnoichi (U)
Ranma Nibunnoichi - Akanekodan no Hihou (J)
Ranma Nibunnoichi - Bakuretsu Rantou Hen (J)
Ranma Nibunnoichi - Chogi Ranbu Hen (J)
Ranma Nibunnoichi - Chonai Gekitou Hen (J)
Ranma Nibunnoichi - Ougi Jaanken (J)
Sailor Moon (F)
Secret of Evermore (E) [!]
Secret of Evermore (F)
Secret of Evermore (G)
Secret of Evermore (S)
Secret of Evermore (U)
Secret of Mana (F)
Secret of Mana (G)
Secret of Mana (U)
Secret of Mana (V1.0) (E)
Secret of Mana (V1.1) (E) [!]
Seiken Densetsu 3 (J)
Seiken Densetsu 3 - Sample (J)
Spider-Man (Alpha)
Spider-Man - Animated (E)
Spider-Man - Animated (U)
Spider-Man - Lethal Foes (J)
Spider-Man - Maximum Carnage (E) [!]
Spider-Man - Maximum Carnage (E) [b1]
Spider-Man - Maximum Carnage (U)
Spider-Man - Separation Anxiety (E)
Spider-Man - Separation Anxiety (U)
Spider-Man and the X-Men (E)
Spider-Man and the X-Men (U)
Spider-Man and the X-Men (U) (4 Man Version)
Star Fox (J)
Star Fox (V1.0) (U)
Star Fox (V1.2) (U) [!]
Star Fox 2 (Beta)
Star Fox 2 (Early Beta) [!]
Star Fox 2 (V1.1) (Beta)
Star Fox Competition - Weekend Edition (U)
Street Fighter 5 (Hack)
Street Fighter Alpha 2 (E) [!]
Street Fighter Alpha 2 (E) [b1]
Street Fighter Alpha 2 (U) [!]
Street Fighter II - The World Warrior (E) [!]
Street Fighter II - The World Warrior (J)
Street Fighter II - The World Warrior (U)
Street Fighter II Black Belt Edition (Hack)
Street Fighter II Carnage (Hack)
Street Fighter II Champ. Edition (Hack)
Street Fighter II Dragon Edition Japan (Hack)
Street Fighter II Lightning Edition USA (Hack)
Street Fighter II Modified Edition (Hype Hack)
Street Fighter II New Moves Edition Japan (Hack)
Street Fighter II Next Generation (Hack)
Street Fighter II Special Accelerated Edition (Hack)
Street Fighter II Turbo (J)
Street Fighter II Turbo (U)
Street Fighter II Turbo (V1.0) (E) [!]
Street Fighter II Turbo (V1.1) (E) [!]
Street Fighter Zero 2 (J)
Super Double Dragon (U)
Super Mario All-Stars & World (E) [!]
Super Mario All-Stars & World (U)
Super Mario All-Stars (E) [!]
Super Mario All-Stars (U)
Super Mario Collection (V1.0) (J)
Super Mario Collection (V1.1) (J)
Super Mario Kart (E) [!]
Super Mario Kart (J)
Super Mario Kart (Turbo Hack)
Super Mario Kart (U)
Super Mario RPG (U)
Super Mario RPG (U) [T-Norwegian_V2000.02.15-97A_Just4Fun]
Super Mario RPG (U) [T-Norwegian_V2000.10.04-98A_Just4Fun]
Super Mario RPG (V1.0) (J)
Super Mario RPG (V1.1) (J)(NG-Dump Known)
Super Mario War (Hack)
Super Mario World (J) [!]
Super Mario World (U) [!]
Super Mario World (U) [T-Norwegian_V2001.04.28_Just4Fun]
Super Mario World (V1.0) (E)
Super Mario World (V1.1) (E) [!]
Super Street Fighter 2 - The New Challengers (J)
Super Street Fighter 2 - The New Challengers (U)
Super Street Fighter 2 - Turbo Picture Show (PD)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Mutant Warriors (J)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Tournament Fighters (Beta)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Tournament Fighters (U)
Tenchi Muyou - Game hen (J)
Tenchi Muyou - Game hen (J) [T-EngV0.98]
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (E)
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (U)
Wonder Project (J)
X-Men Mutant Apocalypse (E)
X-Men Mutant Apocalypse (J)
X-Men Mutant Apocalypse (U)
Yoshi's Island (V1.0) (E)
Yoshi's Island (V1.0) (J)
Yoshi's Island (V1.0) (U)
Yoshi's Island (V1.1) (E)
Yoshi's Island (V1.1) (J) [!]
Yoshi's Island (V1.1) (U)
Yoshi's Island (V1.2) (J)

[Shooglenifty]

Thanks for the information guys I'm curious though. How is it that because the game wasn't released in USA that it is still legal? Thanks for the info though......I really want to play this game lol.

[inferiare]

Shooglenifty wrote:

Thanks for the information guys I'm curious though. How is it that because the game wasn't released in USA that it is still legal? Thanks for the info though......I really want to play this game lol.

Different countries have different perspectives of the legal system. Like for instance, the USA can't really do anything about downloading foreign music, it's not under their jurisdiction. They can do things within the USA, like if you downloaded a full Britney Spears album on to your computer, but when it's foreign, it's out of their control. Terranigma is a "foreign" game, since it never touched US shores, save for emulation.

Plus, I believe the copyright/trademark on the game is gone, so Enix can't do anything about the game being circulated as a rom on the internet.

[Samurai Sam]

rainichan wrote:

The carts usually go for insane amounts of money (buy it now's on eBay tend to go upwards around $70-$125 if you're lucky. Sometimes lower, but those are coming from the UK or Australia.). Then, you have to either find a PAL SNES, which, on a website I know of, is $80. THEN, since PAL SNES's don't have the same connectors as they have here, you have to get a signal converter, and those run around $30-$50, depending where you get them, possibly more. Or, you could try and track down a Pro Action Replay 2 or 3 for the US SNES, and those don't go for cheap either (about $30). With the PAR, you don't have to get a PAL SNES and a signal converter, you put the PAR into the SNES, and Terranigma on top of that (think Sonic and Knuckles type of thing). Either way, it's gonna be a bitch to play, unless you emulate it. Even though I have the cart, I can't play it on my SNES yet.

She speaks the truth. Terranigma is not cheap. I of all people know that. I had to buy the darn game three times (The first 2 times I bought it I got screwed over, check my introduction thread for more info) and get a Pro Action Replay 2 to play it on my US SNES.

Importing games that weren't released in the US is perfectly legal, by the way. Downloading roms, however, isn't.[/quote]

[Muerte]

Samurai Sam wrote:

Importing games that weren't released in the US is perfectly legal, by the way. Downloading roms, however, isn't.

True, but I go by if you can't buy it in places like EB or where you generally shop for games, then get it whatever way you can. For me FF VII is basically impossible to get from shops, I haven't seen it for years if I had the chance I would burn myself another copy and not think twice about it, though if I found it again legit somewhere I would buy it, unless it was like $150, my only hope for that however is that they'll temporarily make some copies with the purchase of Advent Children when it gets released here.

[Samurai Sam]

Muerte wrote:

Samurai Sam wrote: Importing games that weren't released in the US is perfectly legal, by the way. Downloading roms, however, isn't. True, but I go by if you can't buy it in places like EB or where you generally shop for games, then get it whatever way you can. For me FF VII is basically impossible to get from shops, I haven't seen it for years if I had the chance I would burn myself another copy and not think twice about it, though if I found it again legit somewhere I would buy it, unless it was like $150, my only hope for that however is that they'll temporarily make some copies with the purchase of Advent Children when it gets released here.

There's always eBay, you know....

[Muerte]

Do the game makers get profits from eBay?
Anyway, I dislike having to spend $200 Australian for an old game that is considered rare.

[Freedan]

I don't trust ebay. Too easy to get screwed over.

[Samurai Sam]

Freedan, the Dark Knight wrote:

I don't trust ebay. Too easy to get screwed over.

Actually, eBay is very reliable. The only time I ever got screwed over on eBay (And I've bought over 50 items there) was when I first bought Terranigma.

EDIT: By the way, I would advise getting a PAL version of the game in Australia. Not only can you guarentee it will be English, but for some reason people don't bid as high on Terranigmas in Australia as they do on ones in the UK (It's not because the Australian version is less valuable, I saw someone in the UK put the Australian version up once and it went for prices just as high as the other ones in the UK).

[inferiare]

On ebay, only once has my bf gotten screwed over, and the seller tried to blame it on him and get him reported (didn't happen though).

When I bought Terranigma, I got lucky and the seller was in my area.

[Samurai Sam]

Also, if you're really that cautious about getting screwed, only buy from sellers with %100 positive feedback.