Importing German video games to the US

December 3, 2008 3:20 PM

Where in the US can I buy German versions of PC, PS1, and PS2 games?

As part of my efforts to maintain my German skills, I've taken to playing the German versions of text and dialog-heavy video games (RPGs, mostly). Unfortunately, I only have access to a few, and I can't find a source for more, reputable or otherwise.

The best solution would be a direct download site like direct2drive or Steam. Next best would be used physical copies, to save on costs. Are there any import shops in the US that specialize in European versions?

Alternatively, what games include the German version in the US version? X-COM 2 did and so did the Quest for Glory Anthology. I think Fallout 3 does, too.

I haven't had any luck with eBay. I know I could buy the games via amazon.de but between the currency conversion and shipping costs, I would really prefer a local solution.

(If any German mefites want to liquidate their game collection, send me a MefiMail.)

posted by jedicus to shopping (3 comments total)

I know that the Orange Box allows for downloading German/other language packs over Steam, I'm not certain about other games.

Your problem with PS1 and PS2 games is that they're region encoded, so unless you have a European Playstation (and therefore, a PAL TV) you're probably out of luck in that respect.

Good luck from Austria! (playing Hitman: Contracts in German right now... oh man.)
posted by dunkadunc at 3:27 PM on December 3, 2008

There are ways to play PS1 games in the US without a European Playstation. In a year or two it will be practical to do the same with PS2 games. So let's consider those to be non-issues for the sake of the question.

Thanks for the note about the Orange Box. I don't think the Orange Box are quite dialog-heavy enough for this purpose, though.
posted by jedicus at 3:39 PM on December 3, 2008

Looks like gamesplanet.com/de sells downloadable German versions of PC games online and has no trouble selling to people in the US. I'm going to mark this answer best, but if anyone has any other suggestions, post them here and please MefiMail me as well.
posted by jedicus at 1:30 PM on December 6, 2008