# Where can I import US video games from? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 10, 2007, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569 "2007-05-10T18:10:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569/1 "2007-05-10T18:10:46Z")
I’d like to get my hands on a copy of the new Pokemon game. I’m pretty sure the DS is region-free (though if i’m wrong, please say) so where could I get myself a US import of it from? ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569/2 "2007-05-10T19:54:20Z")
eBay? ---
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569/3 "2007-05-10T21:08:05Z")
I’ve bought american DVDs via amazon shops. Numerous dealers import DVDs and sell them via amazon shops. Dunno if the same is true for games. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@Mike\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Fun)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569/4 "2007-05-11T00:00:12Z")
The US? Is this a trick question? ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569/5 "2007-05-11T01:07:30Z")
No, it’s not a trick question- if you look at the location, you’ll see the OP lives in London. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569/6 "2007-05-11T01:14:00Z")
[QUOTE=Revenant Threshold] I’m pretty sure the DS is region-free [/QUOTE] Games are region-coded? What the hell? ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569/7 "2007-05-11T01:23:01Z")
[QUOTE=GuanoLad] Games are region-coded? What the hell? [/QUOTE] Sure- not only are the games coded by television format (NTSC for U.S. and Japan, PAL for Europe), I believe it’s also set up so that, for example, a Japanese game won’t play on an American system or vice-versa. The handhelds are the only systems that don’t have this. See [regional lockout.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_lockout) ---
**Author:** ![tirial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@tirial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tirial)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-import-us-video-games-from/403569/8 "2007-05-11T11:23:41Z")
There are some stores that stock international games in South London, mainly because of overseas students. I think the CEX chain has stopped selling them, but if you look at the independant game stores several of them have a small stock. Otherwise its eBay. (I had to look for a US friend who was over here briefly.)