PS2 Swap-Magic

[fallenangle]

There are a few US only PS2 games I'm interested in, I really can't justify the cost of modding (?65+ with p&p) so I was considering Swap Magic v3.6.

Yay or nay?

I know that as I have a old style PS2 I'd also need the Slide Tool. Is this easy to learn to use? Problems?

Also does anyone know the difference between the Slide Tool and the Slide Tool Pro kit most sites offer. The Pro kit seems to come in two parts - one looks like a replacement slide draw cover with slot but the Slider tool is a different shape from the std. Slide Tool. No site I've found actually offers an explanation.

[eastyy]

what games are you intrested in getting ?

[Bassman]

Swap Magic is good provided the game you are tying to run is not dual-layer (GT4 is dual layer).

If your PS2 is a Version 4-10 model then I would recommend a flip-top conversion as it is less harmful than the slide tool. I have one on my old PS2 and it is excellent. Here is a guide to the version type:

http://www.psxservices.co.uk/ps2_version.htm

I see this place supplies the lid and Swap Magic:

http://www.ps2laser.co.uk/id25.htm

There is some version help on that site as well.

[fallenangle]

Yes, I've found that site, along with a couple of others offering Swap-Magic help. Don't fancy DIYing a flip top to my old PS2 too much hassle and the extra cost along with the Swap-Magic discs seems unnecessary - ruin its looks too :-)

The slide tool sounds OK for the occassional use I'd put it to. I just wondered if anybody had any advice to share on using it.

Games I'm interested in: Front Mission 4/5 and, in particular, Warship Gunner 2 which has been out for over a year in the US with no PAL release even hinted at.

[anephric]

The slide tool's okay, as long as you're patient and don't mind firking around for a few seconds if you don't do it right first time. You will knacker your drive if you're immature, like I am. Not a patch on fliptop.

[Bassman]

The fliptop is easy to fit and other than the lack of graphics looks fine.

[fallenangle]

Thanks, I'll look into the flip-top solution more closely - I'd dismissed it as being an unnecesssarily elaborate choice if the slide tool thing worked OK.

On the subject of exclusive US/NTSC only PS2 games: I'm surprised there isn't a list here + recommendations. I've looked for that sort of info on several other gaming web sites and couldn't find anything.

I'd certainly be interested in hearing what other worthwhile exclusive currently non-PAL PS2 titles or those with 'better' NTSC versions and even what playable JAP games are available. I would have thought making a 'sticky' with that sort of info would be very useful.

[Bassman]

I suppose the flip-top has two advantages. It does away with potential damage from the slide tool and also if there is ever a problem with the eject mechanism (admittedly I have not heard of any) then you can still play games. For that matter you can use it instead of the eject I suppose.

As for games, I am currently playing Radiata Stories (2005) which never had a UK release. Standard RPG I suppose, but I am enjoying it.

The advantage of NTSC games is that unless they are tuned for PAL then there is a possiblilty of the black borders with the PAL release. As I say, the only problem is double layer disks (this includes some of the Japanese Train Simulators). There is always a Hard Disk option for those games (assuming access to a Network Adaptor).

[fallenangle]

There are the Prog Scan options which some PS2 NTSC only versions offer but there are now very few PAL PS2 games don't offer 60Hz or are as poor as some of the earlier PAL conversions. I've played my PAL GT4 almost to death (96% complete) so I'm not going to bother with the NTSC version now. I really don't think the NTSC v PAL is much of an issue now, at least in most cases.

Importing games now is more about getting stuff released earlier in the US and JAP or those odd niche titles/genres not given a PAL outing. That aspect does attract me but importing just to get something 3 months earlier isn't a priority. I'm really just looking to be able to play just those few exclusive US NTSC only games which genuinely interest me. Hence my unwillingness to pay much to adapt my PS2.

However I'm coming round to consider the flip top option - it's only ?6 - ?7 more. Are there any problems fitting it? Is it just a question of removing those 10(?) PS2 screws or is there more to it?

[NekoFever]

Don't forget that it's also often cheaper to get an import online than it is to walk into the shops to get a PAL copy. Usually about £26 from the US compared to £30-40 here, so it's a no brainer when it's out earlier as well.

[fallenangle]

But at ?26 (only a ?3.99 saving over online UK PAL game prices) you're going to get hit with import duties. I have had that happen with two different XBox imports and it cost me over ?7 extra/game. Not only that one took over 21 days to clear C&E .

I suspect Paddington RM sorting office had more to do with it. I actually complained and received a surprising detailed and personal response from C&E but basically it said tough luck.

For this reason the only imports I go for now are games etc under ?18 used stuff through eBay and small accessories (Play-Asia). Luckily with the current ?/$ exchange rate I can get most of what I want. But importing new full price games, in my experience, still doesn't seem a particularly cheap option.

[Bassman]

Here are the instructions. You need to be careful of the ribbon cable.

http://www.swapmagic3.com/Flip_Top_Install.htm

A 10 minute job at most.

[fallenangle]

Thanks for the info/advice.

[egparadigm]

BTW, fallenangle: Both VideoGamesPlus and PlayAsia are willing to lie about the value of goods sent, although the latter will only refund the quoted amount should it get lost in the post (PA will do this on request).

For a slightly more legal approach, YesAsia have offices in the UK, and will therefore avoid duties.

[Bassman]

Yes-Asia no longer do that for PS2 items.