Playing imports on a PAL PS2: What are the options?

[tintin]

Hi

I'm not new to import gaming (Saturn, Dreamcast, N64, PSone & GameCube all sorted), but to date I haven't got round to enabling my PAL PS2 to play NTSC games.

What are the current options in terms of boot discs or mod-chips and do any of them allow NTSC PSone games and/or multi-region DVD?

Any help much appreciated.

TT

[Kal_El]

If I am not mistaken the only way to play imports on ur PS2 other than buying that region PS2 is to get it chipped and its quite expensive costing around ?65+ due to there being 20 or so wires to solder. No multi region disk like the Dreamcast or Game Cube.

[Robin]

There is a multiregion boot disc, but you need to replace the top cover of your PS2 with a flip lid. Look for swap magic discs and fliptop lids.

As for chips, if you get a magic 3 or messiah 2 then they'll boot any region PS2 game and any region non-modchip protected PS1 game (for example, Guitar Freaks won't boot on them). The DMS3 chip purports to having stealth PSOne code, but is expensive and a bit buggy by most accounts. Chips start at ?15 and go to ?55. Installation starts at around ?35 and goes to ?70+ is you've got a v3 PAL PS2 (check the bottom for 10 screw caps including the rubber feet, if you've got 8 then you've got a later model that's easier to chip).

[tintin]

Well the model number is SCPH-30004 if thats any help. I got it as a grey EU import the week after the European launch.

[tintin]

Damn. Just counted 10 screw caps.

Story of my life.

[Guest]

With the PS2, every time I've looked at it you're better off getting a second machine for imports rather than chipping, as the difference in cost isn't worth the risk. If you don't get distracted by the gorgeous new colour ones an import PS2 is pretty reasonably priced.

[tintin]

Well lets put it this way then: are there any NTSC games for the PS2 that are unlikely to come out over here and that would warrant buying an import machine?

(For example: Animal Crossing on the GameCube.)

Anyone??

[Treble]

Well lets put it this way then: are there any NTSC games for the PS2 that are unlikely to come out over here and that would warrant buying an import machine?

Billions get released in Japan that never see the light of day over here. Most of them would be obscure dating sims, hentai and stuff like Densha De Go! and its sequels, but the high-profile Psyvariar hasn't had a US or PAL release yet, and I haven't checked but would be staggered if the new DoDonpachi got a PAL release.

What sort of games do you play?

[dgnr7982]

Chances of Dodonpachi DaiouJou getting PAL release are somewhere between slim and none - Donpachi and Dodonpachi never got releases outside of Japan on the PS1 or the Saturn. I got my PS2 chipped just for it (and to play SC2 early)

[tintin]

Well I like a good shoot-em-up as much as the next guy so Dodonpachi would be right up my alley.

Dgnr, what chip did you go for and how does it perform with PS2 and PSone games?

[dgnr7982]

I have a slightly older model of PS2 - Will2003 did the mod for me - he usually avoids the older ones but I assured him it was in excellent condition (as it was very-underused) - he stuck in a Messiah 1 chip I think it was - for ?65 - I am still waiting on my first Jap PS2 game to arrive ft: however it works fine with a jap PS1 game and my existing PAL PS2 games so I have every reason to believe it works ok.

[wod]

get a messiah 2 fitted in it if someone will do it, most installers wont do them cause the laser in the ps2 could wear out easier.

[Robin]

The laser only wears out if you're trying to play copies on it. Writeable media has a far lower reflectivity index than pressed media so the laser has to use more power to read it. This will cause the laser diode to degrede over time.

The other reason that your laser could die is if you've got a POS Neo 2 installed, that pulsed 5v onto the 3.3v laser circuit. Idiots. No point to a Neo2 anyway, it can't boot imports.

[superkully]

Does anyone recommend a mod webpage, which isn't full of porn and "illegal warez"?

[Robin]

You'll be lucky. Afaik there aren't any mod pages dedicated to imports. Probably the best place to go for information on chips and suchlike is http://www.ps2newz.net.