Retro games from Japan: region, voltage and cables explained
By Corentin · updated on September 22, 2026
Many Japanese retro games are region-locked or do not fit a European or American console. The simplest option is to buy the Japanese console with the games, plus a 100 V power supply and a video solution for your TV.
Key facts
| Power in Japan | 100 V (Europe 230 V, North America 120 V) |
|---|---|
| Video standard | NTSC-J |
| Famicom vs NES | Different cartridge connector, adapter needed |
| Handhelds | Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and DS games are region-free; 3DS is region-locked |
| Switch 2 sold in Japan | Cheaper Japanese-language model, only linkable to Japan-region accounts |
As of September 22, 2026
Will a Japanese cartridge work on my console?
Often not as it is. Consoles were sold in regional versions, and many block or physically reject games from other regions.
- Famicom and NES: different connectors (60 pins vs 72). A Famicom cartridge needs an adapter to fit a NES.
- Super Famicom and Super Nintendo: the American SNES has a different cartridge shape, and European consoles have lockout tabs. Adapters exist, results vary.
- Handhelds: Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and DS games are region-free. The 3DS is region-locked.
- PlayStation: PS1 and PS2 are region-locked; most PS3, PS4 and PS5 games play on any console.
- Switch: games are region-free. The Switch 2 sold cheaply in Japan is a Japanese-language model that can only be linked to accounts set to Japan.
Do you need a transformer for a Japanese console?
Japan runs on 100 V. In Europe (230 V), a Japanese console power supply needs a step-down transformer or a local replacement supply with the right output: plugging it directly can destroy it. In North America (120 V), many Japanese devices work, but check the label on the power supply before plugging in.
How do you connect an old console to a modern TV?
Japanese consoles output NTSC video. Most modern TVs accept it through composite (AV) inputs, but many recent TVs have no analogue input. An HDMI adapter or an upscaler solves it, and gives a sharper picture.
Where can you buy retro games in good condition?
Specialist shops sort by console and test their stock; second-hand chains are cheaper and more random. Our second-hand chains guide explains BOOKOFF, HARD OFF and Suruga-ya.
BOOKOFF Akihabara Eki-mae StoreBOOKOFF 秋葉原駅前店AkihabaraSee the shop → Super Potato Akihabaraスーパーポテト 秋葉原店3F · AkihabaraSee the shop → Mandarake Grand ChaosまんだらけグランドカオスDen Den Town (Nipponbashi)See the shop → Super Potato Ota Road (Nipponbashi)スーパーポテト オタロード店1F · Den Den Town (Nipponbashi)See the shop → GEO · Osuゲオ名古屋大須店OsuSee the shop →The best areas are Akihabara and Osaka’s Den Den Town: see retro game shops in Akihabara, in Den Den Town, our Den Den Town guide, or the map filtered on retro games.
What do 箱説付き and ジャンク mean?
- 箱説付き (hako-setsu tsuki): with box and manual. Collectors pay more for complete copies.
- 箱なし (hako nashi): cartridge or disc only.
- 動作確認済み: tested, works.
- ジャンク (junk): untested or faulty, sold as is, no returns.
- 美品: excellent condition.
Frequently asked questions
Do shops test the games?
Specialist retro shops usually test and mark items as tested (動作確認済み). Items marked ジャンク (junk) are sold as is, untested, with no returns.
Should I buy a junk console?
Only if you can repair it. Junk prices are low because the item may not work at all, and it cannot be returned.
How do I pack a console for the flight?
In your cabin bag, wrapped in clothes, with the original box if you have it. For many items, read our shipping guide.
Are the games only in Japanese?
Most are. Action and platform games play fine without Japanese; role-playing and text-heavy games are hard without reading it.
Where to go
Super Potato shops5
- 3FSuper Potato Akihabaraスーパーポテト 秋葉原店Retro gamesFigures
- Super Potato Ikebukuro Game Yokochoスーパーポテト 池袋ゲーム横丁Retro gamesFigures
- Super Potato Nagoyaスーパーポテト 名古屋店Retro gamesFigures
- 1FSuper Potato Ota Road (Nipponbashi)スーパーポテト オタロード店Retro gamesFigures
- Super Potato Showacho (Osaka)スーパーポテト 昭和町店Retro gamesFigures
HARD OFF shops429
- Hard Offハードオフつくば研究学園店Retro games
- HARD OFFハードオフ長崎時津店Retro games
- HARD OFFハードオフ東浦店Retro games
- HARD OFFハードオフ入間藤沢店Retro games
- HARD OFFハードオフ河口湖店Retro games
- HARD OFFハードオフ大泉店Retro games
- HARD OFFハードオフイオンタウン水戸南店Retro games
- HARD OFFハードオフ音更店Retro games
BOOKOFF shops427
- BOOKOFF Ueno Hirokoji StoreBOOKOFF PLUS 上野広小路店MangaRetro gamesCardsFigures
- Book OffMangaRetro gamesCardsFigures
- Book Off Saitama SugitoMangaRetro gamesCardsFigures
- Book Off Yonago Oroshi DanchiMangaRetro gamesCardsFigures
- BOOKOFFブックオフ田富昭和通り店MangaRetro gamesCardsFigures
- 2FBOOKOFFBOOKOFF 東海荒尾店MangaRetro gamesCardsFigures
- BOOKOFFMangaRetro gamesCardsFigures
- BOOKOFFMangaRetro gamesCardsFigures
Suruga-ya shops5
- Suruga-ya · Osaka駿河屋賀兵衛Retro gamesFiguresMangaCards
- 3FSuruga-ya AEON Mall Asahikawa Ekimae駿河屋 イオンモール旭川駅前店CardsFiguresRetro gamesManga
- Suruga-ya Muroran Yayoi駿河屋 室蘭弥生店FiguresCardsRetro gamesManga
- Suruga-ya Osaka Nipponbashi Main Store駿河屋 大阪日本橋本館Retro gamesFiguresMangaCards
- 3FSuruga-ya Sapporo Norbesa駿河屋 札幌ノルベサ店FiguresCardsRetro gamesManga
Mandarake shops39
- 4FMandarake Anime-kan (Nakano Broadway)まんだらけ アニメ館FiguresManga
- 2FMandarake Card-kan (Nakano Broadway)まんだらけ カード館Cards
- Mandarake CoCoo (Akihabara)まんだらけCoCooMangaFiguresRetro games
- Mandarake ComplexまんだらけコンプレックスMangaFiguresRetro gamesCards
- Mandarake Complex 2 (Akihabara)まんだらけコンプレックス2CardsRetro gamesFigures
- 2FMandarake Cosplay-kan (Nakano Broadway)まんだらけ コスプレ館Figures
- 2FMandarake Daisharin (Nakano Broadway)まんだらけ 大車輪FiguresRetro games
- Mandarake Fukuokaまんだらけ福岡店MangaFiguresRetro gamesCards