Continuing to struggle with the idea of import PS2 games

[Gabriel]

Musing once again about buying import games. The call of those beautiful Super Robot Wars games is strong.

 

So, I'm looking at Swap Magic 3.6 right now, since it's easily available. The games I'm thinking about are Super Robot Wars Alpha 3, Namco X Capcom, and even King of Fighters Orochi (in memory of the days when 2D SNK fighters were fun). Anyone know if those will work with that swap disc?

 

Also, I noticed a blurb saying jap GameCube games need jap memory cards to work. Are PS2 import games the same way? Without being able to save, the tactical RPGs which would be my bread and butter would be utterly pointless.

[warmachine]

Swap magic 3.6 should work on JAP/NTSC games.

It will play PAL games, but only in black and white.

[JB]

Also, I noticed a blurb saying jap GameCube games need jap memory cards to work. Are PS2 import games the same way? Without being able to save, the tactical RPGs which would be my bread and butter would be utterly pointless.

As far as I know, the 'Cube is the only system where you can't have multiple software regions saved on one card.

 

And you don't need a J memcard for the 'Cube. J games will happily format a US card to work with import software.

Which is REALLY dangerous, since it makes it VERY easy to blow all your domestic game saves away if you use the same ^3 for multiple regions.

[liveinabin]

I use Swap Magic on my PS2 (with those little plastic widgety things that make the PS2 think the lid is always closed). It plays Japanese and US games fine on my PAL system, and all on the same memory card. Running Japanese games on a US system will be even more straightforward.

[dalton4life]

I've saved Japanese games on my US memory with other US gamesaves with no problems. I've played PAL games too. They weren't in black and white, but sometimes the screen was way off.

Edited October 2, 2006 by dalton4life

[Gabriel]

I'm kind of worried about the "swap tool". I have a late 2001 front loading PS2. I don't want to subject it to modding, and manually yanking the tray out doesn't sound like it would be too friendly to the tray mechanism.

 

Hmmmm.

[dalton4life]

I'm kind of worried about the "swap tool". I have a late 2001 front loading PS2. I don't want to subject it to modding, and manually yanking the tray out doesn't sound like it would be too friendly to the tray mechanism.

 

Hmmmm.

 

Get the flip top case mod. If it's a v3 or older you may have to work with a v4-7 flip top case to get it to fit right. Regardless, modding is required to play Japanese games on a US PS2. There's no way around that.

 

http://www.consolesource.com/ecomm/custome...string=flip+top

Edited October 2, 2006 by dalton4life

[Gabriel]

Well, I'd prefer not to do anything to my current PS2. I say, "if you want your consoles to work, then take care of them." And I'm not going to run the risk of screwing it up even if there is the temptation of playing a tactical RPG with Macross and Gundam mecha both in it.

 

I've considered buying a flip top with a mod chip installed. Or maybe just buying a new flip top and using a swap disc on it.

 

Another option was HD loader, which implied it could be used to play imports.

 

I'm open to suggestions. What would be the best way to go?

 

Being able to play PS1 imports as well would be good too. I could always hunt down Macross VFX2 and pay through the nose.

Edited October 2, 2006 by Gabriel

[dalton4life]

Any method for booting import games is going to require opening the console. PS2 is not region free. If you are this nervous about it, just buy a pre-modded console. It's best in the long run anyway.

Edited October 2, 2006 by dalton4life

[madhatter667]

Getting a pre-mod is relatively easy. The flip top is a pretty basic mod in general. You could always buy an older PS2, and get the flip top box for it (seems to the the simpler one to install)... there are instructions floating around online how to do this.

 

The Swap Magic discs work with everything I have seen so far. Although I still need to find a PAL to NTSC converter for the sake of truly being able to play ALL imports.

 

For PSX imports, get yourself a Breaker Pro disc. Just look it up online. That will run somewhere between $18-14 before shipping depending. I recommend the Giant Store (they also sell the Swap Magic discs...which are up to version 3.8 where you can use cheat codes and game enhancers) www.thegiantstore.com. I ordered mine Thursday, it was shipped on Friday, and was in my mailbox today (Monday). This disc will work with PSX and PS2 applications in respect to playing PSX imports (for use on both consoles). It's my newest acquisition, and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

[madhatter667]

Oh yeah,

get a separate memory card for your import saves... they can corrupt your data (this coming from a friend who has more experience with the modded machiens than I do). This is true for the GC, and the PS2.

 

Anyone know about the PSx? I think I'll get some extras just in case... they must be dirt cheap now.

[jedijeff]

Any method for booting import games is going to require opening the console. PS2 is not region free. If you are this nervous about it, just buy a pre-modded console. It's best in the long run anyway.

 

It would be easiest to just buy an import ps2.

[madhatter667]

Meh, swap discs, and a flip top lid add up to *maybe* $50... that's a fair bit cheaper than the import console.

[JB]

The EASIEST way would be to wait for the PS3 to become available.

It's supposed to be region-free across all 3 generations of software, as I understand things.

 

The PRACTICAL way is probably something else entirely.

 

 

 

 

 

For PS1(since I see it mentioned), I'd say just get an emu. Specifically, pSX.

http://psxemulator.gazaxian.com/

Edited October 4, 2006 by JB