Hobbies And Interests
PAL Defined
PAL stands for "Phase Alternating Line" and is the German-developed color television standard of nations in Europe, China, Africa, South America and the Middle East. PAL television owners cannot change the color hues on their sets. PAL delivers 625 lines of resolution at 25 frames per second. The Brazilian version of PAL -- PAL M -- delivers broadcasts at 30 frames per second.
Compatibility
At their support site, Nintendo notes that products made by Nintendo for use in the United States are not interchangeable with products made for use in other regions. For example, the North American and Japanese standard -- NTSC -- is not compatible with the European, Chinese and South American-region PAL. This compatibility standard applies to both games (cartridges and discs) as well as consoles. PAL SNES games and consoles are not compatible with NTSC games and consoles.
Additional Factors
In addition to a television broadcast standard such as PAL, Nintendo lists several compatibility concerns for U.S. Nintendo users attempting to use a Nintendo product made in another country. These include different electrical standards, languages, government regulations and packaging requirements. Nintendo stresses that games and systems -- including the SNES -- intended for use in different countries will not work in the United States.
SNES PAL Repair in Other Regions
Nintendo of America notes that PAL Super Nintendo system owners (or any other Nintendo product) outside of the PAL region in need of repair must contact an international distributor near them. Nintendo does not offer repair or warranty for Nintendo products outside of the designated region.