I believe it's running at 50hz because that's what the PS2 is designed to run at. You would need to use PS1VMODENEG which runs through FMCB to change the hz. The swap trick you mentioned can be done with same video region (NTSC-J games on an NTSC-U console for example) but not for PAL to NTSC (or vice versa). If you do end up using PS1VMODENEG, the version you're running would be the version on the disk (so NTSC-U, in this case).

The time saves the language glitch gives PAL are negated by the faster loading times on NTSC. The two versions are virtually equal in non-driving related time. NTSC-U is now considered the faster version due to it being easier than PAL.

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I didn't mean to imply that frame rate matters substantially, just correcting that aspect of FireFox's post ????

And yes, there are a number of things in PAL that aren't possible or are different in NTSC. Here's a few that are relevant to Any% Warpless runs: Crash Cove - propulsion after bridge is only possible in PAL Blizzard Bluff - SG on 3 ramp section (right after the boulder) is more consistent in PAL Sewer Speedway - many more random SGs are possible, and I think the "correct" tech for the first turbo pad is only possible in PAL Papu’s Pyramid - Faster grass SC in PAL N. Gin Labs - Propulsion after 2nd turbo pad is easier in PAL In general, PAL has stronger/faster propulsions/SGs As I said before, these differences are rather inconsequential at lower skill levels.

NTSC-U actually runs at a faster frame rate (60 FPS vs 50 FPS on PAL), but yes, you do jump higher which makes it easier to get fast times on some of the tracks. Also, the barrels in Sewer Speedway and N. Gin Labs, the mine carts in Dragon Mines, and the boulder in Blizzard Bluff move more quickly.

PAL has the language glitch, but, to my knowledge, the exact amount of time it saves over NTSC-U is unknown. Usual estimates are around 20 seconds, which is negligible if you're just starting out or not planning on getting good enough to be competitive with the top runners.

TL;DR - PAL is slightly faster, NTSC-U is easier.

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