Buy a Japanese Original Playstation??

[buzz909]

I have been playing loads on my Old battered playstation, usually in the evenings, and have been throughly enjoying myself. (Just begun to play Parrapa the Rapper, Vib Ribbon, Driver and Silent Hill). It was third hand when I bought it in 1998, and finally the laser is almost knackered.
Having been spoilt with 60HZ games since the Dreamcast, it seems like a good oppurtunity to play my favourite PS games as they were originally intended (Tekken 3 and Bloody Roar are clear sufferers from slight lack of speed). I would also love to be able to play Japanese PSone games that didn't come out here, especially the 2D ones.
Ideally I'd like a Jap Original Playstation (or PSOne) that can play UK games and US games as well, at the appropriate speed. Is this possible. Do people mod them (I don't mind paying)? Also wheres the best place to buy jap PSX games. Last time i looked on ebay, there didn't seem to be very many.
I appreciate any help or information. Thank you!

[J0e Musashi]

Just chip a UK one, and it'll do the same thing.

[Soundwave]

Or better than that buy a chipped PS2...does the same as above but with the added bonus of playing the great PS2 games that never made these shores

[zorrillouk]

Hi,

i'm really interested in this too.

Is it true ps1 games don't look as good on a ps2 even though there are supposed improvements? I was always under the impression that the Ps2 speeded load times inproved texture mapping(?) etc but I was read somewhere last night that this is not the case (Eurogamer forums?).
Is it software/hardware emulation?
If you use a chipped ps2 are there any issues running ps1 games?

Having read the import FAQ it says something about chipped PAL ps2s have 60hz sync issues. Is still the case?

Also, is there any preference for model no.? Are there any models that can't be chipped?

Which games can't be played without the harddrive except FFXI?

If I got a Jpn PS2 is there an English Language option for the menus?

What about this new even smaller Jpn ps2?
Are chips still available even?

Sorry for all the questions and to jump in but I really want to play the psone originals at 60hz too I am am yet to get a PS2!


Thanks so much, this forum is full of interesting info.

[importaku]

If you chip a uk console be aware that certain games will run out of sync, i used to have a pal playstation with a stealth mod chip & it would play anything from any region, the only problem was playing certain dance dance revolution games as the arrows & music would be out of sync.

[zorrillouk]

Is it definately only some games or is it that all games run out of sync but it can only be noticed on these games because of the style of play. How about rhythm action games?

Are there any up to date websites on the subject? I am finding it really hard to find specific information.

Thanks for the reply.

[importaku]

Only the ddr games & only from 3rd mix onwards.

I had other games & they all played fine, had umjammer lammy & parappa & those worked too with no sync probs.

[zorrillouk]

Thanks.

[fallenangle]

If it's just for occasional use why not just use a PS-X Change boot disc with a UK PAL machine? Only real hassle is with multi-disc games where tricky hot swapping is required.

Early model PS2s, certainly up to v.3, were definitely inferior for certain PS games. The C&C series were notably poor on the PS2 having a nasty grainy look. But by v.7 this had improved and although there are differences in the image quality between a true PS/PSOne and a PS2 running PS games it would be wrong to described the PS2 look as inferior. I've no idea how the newer slimline PSTwos perform in this respect.

I did a lot of comparisons using Vagrant Story and I ended up deciding that I preferred it on the PS2 with texture mapping on. However, with most of the PS games I've tried I find texture mapping just makes everything look fuzzy not smoother. Using the double speed option on the PS2 makes no discernable difference to the picture quality or seems to significantly affect the loading times, at least as far as my own tests went.

[zorrillouk]

Thanks to people who posted on this thread.

I actually bought a PAL PS2 today off ebay which I am going to pick up tomorrow. It's slimline but I don't know which version yet.

I may sort out a swapping device but in the long term would prefer to be able to straight boot all regions. All I want to do is play genuine imports.

I appreciate that ps2 modchips are - it seems - hard to get hold of since people in the UK were prosecuted for providing a fitting service but could anyone advise me further? Even if it is just to get hold of the actual chip.

Has anyone ever bought from...

http://www.maxking.com

or

http://www.eurasia.nu

it seems mrmodchips might be coming back online too...

http://www.mrmodchips.co.uk/

how long has the site been like that?

Sorry if I have broken any forum rules.
Thanks

[k0pp0]

I did a lot of comparisons using Vagrant Story and I ended up deciding that I preferred it on the PS2 with texture mapping on. However, with most of the PS games I've tried I find texture mapping just makes everything look fuzzy not smoother. Using the double speed option on the PS2 makes no discernable difference to the picture quality or seems to significantly affect the loading times, at least as far as my own tests went.

THPS1/2 defiantely look better with the texture mapping option switched on.

[fallenangle]

THPS1/2 defiantely look better with the texture mapping option switched on.

THPS1/2?

[buster_broon]

i got a messiah'd 2 PStwo and i just found it difficult to load imported titles especially PSone stuff

easier just to buy a Japanese PSone

[Pavey]

THPS1/2?

Tony Hawks Pro Skater.

[buzz909]

Sorry about the delay in replying (I'm not in the best of health currently so it is difficult for me to get online that often). Thank you to all the people who have posted.
I think I will buy a PSone rather than a PStwo. I like the sound of a machine that can play Pal/US/Jap games. Where can I buy one from?
Ebay doesn't seem as cheap as you would expect for JAP ps1 games (There must be loads of them). Is it easy to use Yahoo Japan? (I speak very very bad japanese, and I can't read it, except some basic stuff). I think most of the Japanese sellers would speak English though? I have always shyed away from using Yahoo Japan, but I would like to use it.