Chipped PS2 - what to go for

[C']

after over a year of scavenging spare parts and seemingly only getting a few extra months at most out of my precious chipped PS2 (old style model) I've decided to bite the bullet and go for a new machine.

So far I've avoided purchasing a slimline PS2 due to apparent software incompatibilities with certain PSone and PS2 titles but I've concluded that it's better to be able to play most of my games and make do without the few that won't work (goodbye Initial D it seems ;_; ) than not be able to play any at all.

Not really sure what the current status on PS2 chips is at these days though (my console was purchased back in 2004). I'd like a machine that will direct boot all region games (both PS1 and PS2 software) as well as DVD9 format software (I believe these can be troublesome in some instances).

Some other queries. Will a modded machine have any difficulties with multi-disc games? (I recently heard of someone struggling with Xenosaga 2 as he couldn't transfer from disc 1 to disc 2 but unsure if that was using a boot disc)

Also, do the latest PS2 chips have the facility to be turned off to allow online play?

Finally, what level of software incompatibility are we looking at with the new slimline PS2?

If anyone can clear these things up and offer some recommendations, would be most grateful.

[Strolls]

There are some reccomendations about modded PS2s in this thread.

Stroller.

[sj33]

Any of the newest generation of modchips will do everything.

DMS4, Matrix Infinity, Ghost2, O2, Crystal Chip etc. They all have flashable firmwares too.
They each have their own unique features (such as the ToxicOS on the DMS4 Pro), but thet all perform identically for the main stuff.

[Sane]

Does the matrix infitity allow that VGA hack and possibly in the future 480p forcing through HDTV player?

[NekoFever]

Matrix Infinity and DMS4 are probably the best ones to go for. The Matrix has more support with new firmware and has the force 480p option for certain games, and I've had no issues at all with my DMS4 Lite in my slimline.

I can only speak for my DMS4 but it has no issues with multidisc games (I played most of my US FFVII), it can easily be disabled for online games (obviously you can't play imports online then), and boots both DVD9 and DVD+R DL. I'd assume the Matrix is the same. They're both seamless at detecting disc type so there's no faffing around with different boot sequences for CD, DVD, PS1, etc.

I've yet to find a game that doesn't work on slimline PS2s but there are lists out there. There aren't many high profile games that don't work.

[Casual_Gamer]

My Ghost2 that is installed in my Slimline PS2 is also pretty good - boots all discs I throw at it, and has both a stealth mode and an off-mode. I also haven't come across any incompatible games for the slimline. Also, I'm not sure if it matters with the newer modchips / newly manufactured consoles, but I was told by my modder that there was a problem with the laser burning out in the slimlines, so I also had a 'laser-fix chip' installed alongside my Ghost2 modchip. Make sure you look out for that too...

[sj33]

Does the matrix infitity allow that VGA hack and possibly in the future 480p forcing through HDTV player?

It's based on the older VGA hack found on the older Blaze VGA disc, and isn't very useful O2 supports it too.

[Kevvy Metal]

I also REALLY recommend the Ghost2 chip.

I got that in my machine, it boots everything 100% of the time and runs anything.
All region PS2 games, all region PS1 games and "backups" all work 100%.

And the save files are nonregion specific, don't know if this is across the board but its like that for me.

****ing LOVE my chipped PAL PS2

[Sane]

One more question, there is no reason to get a chipped US console over a PAL one right? A PAL console will play all my US games in 60hz?

[sj33]

One more question, there is no reason to get a chipped US console over a PAL one right? A PAL console will play all my US games in 60hz?

Exactly.

In fact, an NTSC machne cannot run PAL DVD's no matter what.

[eastyy]

i got a magic 3.1 chip for my usa ps2

its not the greatest a few ps2 games dont work (and sometimes it takes several reboots for it to recognise some games) and it has a screen problem when running pal psone games

[Jei]

Get the lastest V14/15 modded with a "green dot" Matrix Infinity.

Will do absolutely everything with no problem, and just for reference the DMS4 has problems with the latest consoles if you're planning on playing PS1 games.

The V12/13 slimlines work fine with both.

Jay

[wod]

ghost 2 chips are made by the original team who created the messiah mods for ps2 so will be a recommended chip

slimline ps2s version 13 above dont need to worry about the lens burning out as that issue has been sorted

[NekoFever]

Yeah, it was only the first lot of slimlines (v12) which had the laser issue. I got mine the day they came out and it's been fine but I had the laser fix installed with the chip. Later models are much more reliable and don't need it at all.

And a chipped PAL machine is the best one you can get. All of them will play all games when chipped, but the PAL ones have a bigger framebuffer in order to handle the slightly higher resolution of PAL DVDs (576i vs 480i). That means that a chipped PAL machine will handle any game and any DVD from any region whereas a chipped NTSC machine will struggle with PAL DVDs.

It's probably irrelevant for most people here since I doubt there are many people who still use the PS2 as their DVD player but it's nice to have the option there.

[Strolls]

I can only speak for my DMS4 ... it can easily be disabled for online games (obviously you can't play imports online then)

So if playing imported (NTSC) games online was important to you then an imported console would be a better option?

I've noted your comments about DVD playback, tho' - thanks.

Stroller