Buying games from Canada to play in the US

[Cloisonne]

I'm heading to Canada for the holidays and I plan to go game hunting while I'm there.

Are there any regional differences between Canadian games and US games? I know GB/GBC/GBA games are universal, but should I worry about regional differences with NES/SNES/N64/GC/Wii/Xbox/Xbox360/PS1/PS2?

[Megatron]

It depends on where you're going in Canada, and what region you want to look for.  I can only speak for some of the newer games, (like ps2, ps3 360, etc) but as long as they are NTSC region 1 you should be fine.  I lived in Toronto for a few years and purchased games there that worked fine on my US systems (US is also ntsc region 1).  PS3 is not region locked, so you should have no problems playing PS3 games from anywhere, but there are several parts of Canada that speak French, so if you're not careful, you could wind up with a French Language version of something.  Alot of the French versions have French text on the boxes, though.  For instance, a French version of Dragon Age Origins I used to have had French text written on the box, not English.  Some of these games have language options, but I can't imagine too many older games do.  If the box has both languages written, I have found that they are in English.  Hope this helps!

[Cloisonne]

It depends on where you're going in Canada, and what region you want to look for.  I can only speak for some of the newer games, (like ps2, ps3 360, etc) but as long as they are NTSC region 1 you should be fine.  I lived in Toronto for a few years and purchased games there that worked fine on my US systems (US is also ntsc region 1).  PS3 is not region locked, so you should have no problems playing PS3 games from anywhere, but there are several parts of Canada that speak French, so if you're not careful, you could wind up with a French Language version of something.  Alot of the French versions have French text on the boxes, though.  For instance, a French version of Dragon Age Origins I used to have had French text written on the box, not English.  Some of these games have language options, but I can't imagine too many older games do.  If the box has both languages written, I have found that they are in English.  Hope this helps!

I'm going to be in Montreal :/ should I worry about being able to find games in English?

[Megatron]

Been to Montreal a few times but never bought any games there.  That's a pretty French heavy area, but its also a big tourist area.  I would basically just ask any game stores you visit.  Like I said with newer games, avoid games that have only French text on the case.  If it has English text, you're probably all right. 
With older games, look at the back label.  Look for the words "NTSC" and MOST IMPORTANTLY "USA/Can 1"  This will tell you if it's a region 1 game.  If so it should work fine with all US systems.  Can't guarantee English language, but I doubt it would be in French of the text is in English.  If it says "Can 2" or any other number than 1, I would pass.

[Cloisonne]

Been to Montreal a few times but never bought any games there.  That's a pretty French heavy area, but its also a big tourist area.  I would basically just ask any game stores you visit.  Like I said with newer games, avoid games that have only French text on the case.  If it has English text, you're probably all right. 
With older games, look at the back label.  Look for the words "NTSC" and MOST IMPORTANTLY "USA/Can 1"  This will tell you if it's a region 1 game.  If so it should work fine with all US systems.  Can't guarantee English language, but I doubt it would be in French of the text is in English.  If it says "Can 2" or any other number than 1, I would pass.

How about if I stopped by Gamebuzz (which is what I believe to be the Canadian version of PlayNtrade) and I looked at cartridge based games? Should I be worried about finding French games in those piles?

[Megatron]

Been to Montreal a few times but never bought any games there.  That's a pretty French heavy area, but its also a big tourist area.  I would basically just ask any game stores you visit.  Like I said with newer games, avoid games that have only French text on the case.  If it has English text, you're probably all right. 
With older games, look at the back label.  Look for the words "NTSC" and MOST IMPORTANTLY "USA/Can 1"  This will tell you if it's a region 1 game.  If so it should work fine with all US systems.  Can't guarantee English language, but I doubt it would be in French of the text is in English.  If it says "Can 2" or any other number than 1, I would pass.

How about if I stopped by Gamebuzz (which is what I believe to be the Canadian version of PlayNtrade) and I looked at cartridge based games? Should I be worried about finding French games in those piles?

Yes.  If Gamebuzz is the place I think it is, then it gets trades from all over the place and since I assume you're going to one in Montreal, you may find yourself with the French version of Legend of Zelda..  But like I said, you will need to inspect the cartridge carefully.  If the text is in English (including all the stuff on the back label) and it says "usa/can 1" you should be good.  And staff there should be able to tell you. Maybe even test it to be sure.  If you plan on buying a lot, the least they could do is make sure you get what you're after.

[komodos]

US and Canada are pretty much the same as far as compatibility goes. Most older games will be in English with 2 copies of instruction manuals, 1 in English the other in French (It's a bilingual Provence not like going to France) . Newer games you just switch settings to the desired language. So I don't think you should have any issues.

[SasoriSoren]

I have had no issues with anything modern as we are all NTSC Region 1. A slight difference in packaging given n Canada it does require French on packaging, but aside that I have not seen any issues.