atarilovesyou Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I've read that there's a certain disc that you can plug into your N.American PS2 which will allow you to play region locked games...as I don't want to ruin my PS2 by soldering or anything like that, I'd still like to try out the Virtua Cop series which was only released in Europe and Japan. Does such an option exist?...something that won't damage my PS2? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennybingo Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I've been looking into that myself lately...I believe that a free mcboot memory card should do the trick... http://www.pstwo.co.uk Can anyone else verify this for us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I read about memory card based mods allowing region unlock and ability to run copies/homebrew a long time ago. But no idea if it applies to all versions of the PS2 or only the original large one - that'd be something you'd want to look into first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaperman Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 (edited) I haven't seen it with just free mcboot--unless I'm using an old version, or just pretty stupid. I solved it with a flip top mod, so I can pop in a local disc of similar capacity and then swap it with my foreign disc. Generally I do this only once, right before I rip the thing with HDLoader, which might mean that I didn't look for a more efficient way when maybe there is one. Edited April 9, 2014 by Reaperman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I have Free Mcboot too and no, it does not provide region bypass. You need a mod chip, do the flip top mod, or get this long skinny tool to trip the drawer switch. Need a swap disc with the last two methods as well. easiest way to play Japanese games is to get a Japanese console I'm afraid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 The easiest way is to buy a Japanese system. The Swap Magic method, while useful, can be a pain, and you have to snap off the front of your fat PS2's disc drive. I'm not sure what it takes to play imports on a slim, without replacing the top shell/drive door with an aftermarket one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 What about Playstation 2 emulators? http://pcsx2.net/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarilovesyou Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Hmmm...did they make a PS2 slim in Japan?...i would assume so. TO EBAY! Although...it does seem a little overkill to do that, just to play Virtua Cop Edited April 10, 2014 by atarilovesyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap5750 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 (edited) How about the PSX Change 2? According to the box, it can handle imported games. Edit: Nevermind. It's late and this is for PS1 not PS2. Edited April 11, 2014 by Cap5750 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustygraves. Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 what about the action replay or game shark for ps1 as these can be used on ps2 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Wish I could offer to install a chip for you, but man do I hate modding PS2s. Too many wires. Still, a modchip is my #1 method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Hmmm...did they make a PS2 slim in Japan?...i would assume so. TO EBAY! Although...it does seem a little overkill to do that, just to play Virtua Cop If that's all you really want to play, you would be better off investing in a Saturn. It had a really solid version of Virtua Cop. If you want Part 2, the Dreamcast has a nice version as well (although the Saturn one is solid, too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarilovesyou Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 I can't go down the road of more consoles, I just went through a bit of a tear this last month with the Genesis (and tracking down a TG16 as well!)...but I think I'd rather Dreamcast it rather than Saturn. I loooooved Crazy Taxi ...did Virtua Cop not come out for DC? Just the sequel (my fave, either way)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I can't go down the road of more consoles, I just went through a bit of a tear this last month with the Genesis (and tracking down a TG16 as well!)...but I think I'd rather Dreamcast it rather than Saturn. I loooooved Crazy Taxi ...did Virtua Cop not come out for DC? Just the sequel (my fave, either way)? Well, the Dreamcast certainly isn't a bad choice either, especially from a space standpoint (smaller system and smaller game cases). Only Virtua Cop 2 came out for it (no part 1), but it's included on the Sega Smash Pack so you get a bunch of Genesis games with it (or you can buy the standalone Japan release). There are also other cool light gun shooters on the system too, the next best (IMO) being House of the Dead 2, then Death Crimson OX, Confidential Mission, and Death Crimson 2 (Japan). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wccw mark Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 my free mcboot lets me play copies of japanese games on my usa systems but not originals of japanese games.i think thats because of the ESR patch you put on the bootleg games before you burn it to disc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarilovesyou Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 my free mcboot lets me play copies of japanese games on my usa systems but not originals of japanese games.i think thats because of the ESR patch you put on the bootleg games before you burn it to disc. ...how does the free mcboot work? In the end, there's only a few games I'd like to try...no need to start collecting em', so this method seems reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 It sort of allows the system to act as a "soft modded" PS2. It's really easy to load, and basically needs to be installed to a memory card. You can transfer the install files to a USB flash drive and plug it into the front of the PS2 (assuming you have a fat model with the USB ports). Unfortunately I want to say it's more for running things like homebrew and whatever. Doesn't work really for playing imported games (unless like Mark said the games are copied and patched or something like that). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wccw mark Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 ...how does the free mcboot work? In the end, there's only a few games I'd like to try...no need to start collecting em', so this method seems reasonable. download the free mcboot files,convert them to the memory card via usb stick,and thats pretty much it.there is a lot more to it than that,a lot of instructions to follow.i also remember using my action replay disc with the usb stick to put the info on my memory card.its been a long time ago i did this.i put HD loader on mine,and put a 180 GB hard drive on my PS2 with the network adapter,and i can rip original discs to the hard drive and play them/store them on the HD.i cant rip copies to the HD,it wont read them.only way to play imports is to make/download a copy of it,but you have to patch the downloaded/copied game with a program on your computer called ESR patcher.because if you dont patch the copies/downloaded iso file(game)before you burn it,it wont work.the free mcboot site had all the files to do this back when i modded my fat PS2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaskenLander Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 I own a US slim PS2 and I bought a 'flip top' lid replacement for around $13.00 and Swap Magic for like $20.00. It was a cinch to swap out the original lid for the flip top and the Swap Magic disc(s) work perfectly w/ just a little getting used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiman99 Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 I have FreeMCBoot on my mem card with HD Loader v0.8c. One way to play Japanese PS2 games on NTSC PS2 is to download the game to the hard drive. With this method I was able to play Sega Rally 95 and Sega Rally 2006 which both games were released in Japan only. PAL games are not so easy, the problem with PAL games lies in the refresh rate and color coding, so the games are "rolling" and in black and white on NTSC systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinn Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Get a modchip installed. You will be able to play original imports including PAL games in full screen and color. No need to swap, rip, patch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarilovesyou Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 A mod chip sounds like the 'best' option, but with it installed, can I still play NTSC games? I picked up a used PS2 slim, and now this 'flip lid' switcheroo thing might be an option as the only thing I'm using the spare PS2 for is PAL and gamelink stuff. How tricky is the mod chip install? I hear the innards of a PS2 is packed pretty tight, and after scanning it for access screws, I think they might be hiding under the rubber feet (which one is exposed, it being used...lol, maybe its already been modded, lol). Thanks again guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaWarrior Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 I've been looking into that myself lately...I believe that a free mcboot memory card should do the trick... http://www.pstwo.co.uk Can anyone else verify this for us? He charges too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 This thread got me interested in importing on the PS2 again. I have the Magic Slide, but it's a bit of a PITA and it deters me from wanting to use the few imports I have. So, over the weekend I invested in a Japanese PS2 slim. Not the cheapest thing (over $150 for a nice boxed one), however, seeing that the PS2 is one of the last systems to have many worthwhile, English-friendly imports that you can't play easily on a US console, it will be worth it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarilovesyou Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 All I really wanted to play was Virtua Cop 2, lol...and as you said, I might be better off just going the Sega route for that. But did that come out for Dreamcast? I'm thinking I would rather own a Dreamcast over a Saturn...I've only really played a Saturn a couple of times way back. I just wanna get some of those awesome mid to late 90s arcade games (Virtua Fighter 2, House of the Dead, Virtua Cop) without too much trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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