Decent Japanese PS2 games?

[buzz909]

I bought a 2nd hand PS2 which won't run GT4 and God of War2 - but runs everything else ok. It was suggested to me that either the laser's knackered or it is a chipped console - capable of running imports. I would like to test out its ability to play imports by buying a Japanese PS2 game(s). I'm sure I could sort it out to play imports anyway (somehow) or buy one which does.
Would you guys be able to suggest some quality Jap PS2 games for me. I'm thinking of the first Katamari game - is it the best one? other than that I can't think of any others.
Help!

Thanks - Rico (Buzz)

PS I hope this console has hidden abilities - or it's for the chop!

[prinnysquad]

Easy - Chikyuu Boueigun 1 or 2. Budget games but two of the best on the system.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-r-77-1-49-en-70-2ec-43-99.html

huh the first one is chips but the second (and much better game) is 25.

Further edit:

Nope, that 25 must be them both together? 13 quid on its own.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-r-49-zh-70-mbw.html

[buster_broon]

PS I hope this console has hidden abilities - or it's for the chop!

it might be the dreaded dvd9 problem that some suffer from or mod chips wont load dvd9

could be completely wrong - it just jumps out at me

i'll get me coat

[charlesr]

1st katamari game is totally top notch.

[Fuddle]

i think i only have a few japanese games that never appeared anywhere else, but they're all pretty good.

Initial D: special stage
Namco X Capcom
Macross: The Super Dimension Fortress
A.C.E. Another Century's Episode

[buzz909]

Thank you for all the help. I have Global Defence Force on PS2, but I can't remember if it runs in 60HZ, so maybe the Japanese version would be better.
I like the sound of Initial D : Special Stage.
Yes - I don't think there are very many Japanese games which didn't get releases in the West. I can think of a game where you were a mosquito flying round a house trying to bite memebers of a family without being detected. There was also Primal Image (which was probably rubbish) and Sega did one where you were a fish (IO?). These are all pulled from vague memories of reviews in computer magazines, and they probably weren't very good games.
I suspect there were some retro games that were only released on PS2 in Japan and maybe some 2D games.
I think I will get Katamari to try. Just out of interest why is it better than its sequels? is it the music?

Thanks - Buzz

[Skull Commander]

Thank you for all the help. I have Global Defence Force on PS2, but I can't remember if it runs in 60HZ, so maybe the Japanese version would be better.
I like the sound of Initial D : Special Stage.
Yes - I don't think there are very many Japanese games which didn't get releases in the West. I can think of a game where you were a mosquito flying round a house trying to bite memebers of a family without being detected. There was also Primal Image (which was probably rubbish) and Sega did one where you were a fish (IO?). These are all pulled from vague memories of reviews in computer magazines, and they probably weren't very good games.
I suspect there were some retro games that were only released on PS2 in Japan and maybe some 2D games.
I think I will get Katamari to try. Just out of interest why is it better than its sequels? is it the music?

Thanks - Buzz

GDF pal version is only 50hz, so jap versio would be superior. The mosquito game is "Mr Mosquito" and did come out in pal land. The company that released it were the same that did mad maestro (maybe Fresh games?). Fish one is maybe Seman but don't think it came out here.

[gossi the dog]

Sounds like the laser is broken and doesn't play any media on DVD9. I think you'll be wasting your time trying a different region game on the system.

[eastyy]

Would recommend any cave shooters like espgaluda

oh psyvariar 2....thought it does not work with my magic 3.1 mod chip