secretvampire Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 PLEASE understand, I have no interest in piracy or playing backups, but I would really like to get some of the other Japan-only Taiko Drum Master discs. Is there a boot disc or something similar that will let me play original (non-burned) Japanese games, or am I absolutely stuck with a mod chip of some sort if I want to do this? I really would rather not have to open up my PS2 in any way. EDIT: Changed the title, I worded it exactly the opposite of how I meant to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whooter Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 PLEASE understand' date=' I have no interest in piracy or playing backups, but I would really like to get some of the other Japan-only Taiko Drum Master discs. Is there a boot disc or something similar that will let me play original (non-burned) Japanese games, or am I absolutely stuck with a mod chip of some sort if I want to do this? I really would rather not have to open up my PS2 in any way. EDIT: Changed the title, I worded it exactly the opposite of how I meant to. [/quote'] I believe you can use something called a Slide-Card to play imports without chipping your PS2, but as I understand, it can cause undue wear and tear on the PS2... http://http://www.modchip.com/ps2/slidecard.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 The Slide Card Method is the equivalant of the old school "knife" method. As Joel mentioned, it puts a good bit of wear and tear on your PS2's DVD drive and can lead to DDE's and other issues over an extended time of use. Using the Slide Card though is a piece of cake and it's almost the same thing as doing a disc swap on the DC. Compatability is an issue as all games do not work with the Slide Card/Swap Magic set. Still, the slide card is useful to have. Especially if you have the HDLoader/HD combination as you can load imports onto your HD and not have to worry about swapping discs back and forth. It eliminates the wear and tear issue a bit but compatability is still an issue. If you have a newer PS2 (the slimmer flip top variety) you cn use the discs with only a slight modification to the drive top and have no need for the Slide Card. If you have an older PS2 you can also purchase and install a flip top of your own as seen here: PS2 Flip Top However, a much preferred method of modding your console is to get it chipped. I've made this recommendation in the past and I will do so again here as DMS3 chip is the best one out there. Previous chips in the past required you to have to replace/update them every so often to make sure compatability was up to date etc. You were ok for a good while but if a new game was released that just didn't want to boot you'd need to look into either updating the firmware on the chip (usually a terrible hassle) or updating the chip with a new one. The DMS3 allows you to burn firmware upgrades right onto a CDR and flash the firmware easily. Can't tell you how useful that is! I recommend the chip above anything else out there. I have a slightly older version but I've been very satisfied with it. If you plan to do alot of heavy importing, you may want to look at going this route. Alot of online stores will sell you the chip and mod the console for you for a small fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretvampire Posted February 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 However, a much preferred method of modding your console is to get it chipped. I've made this recommendation in the past and I will do so again here as DMS3 chip is the best one out there. Previous chips in the past required you to have to replace/update them every so often to make sure compatability was up to date etc. You were ok for a good while but if a new game was released that just didn't want to boot you'd need to look into either updating the firmware on the chip (usually a terrible hassle) or updating the chip with a new one. The DMS3 allows you to burn firmware upgrades right onto a CDR and and flash the firmware easily. Can't tell you how useful that is! I recommend the chip above anything else out there. I have a slightly older version of the chip but I've been very satisfied with it. If you plan to do alot of heavy importing, you may want to look at going this route. Alot of online stores will sell you the chip and mod the console for you for a small fee. Well, looks like I am going to have to go the DMS3 chip route then, I don't really want to risk any DDE issues as my launch PS2 has been nothing but reliable thus far (fingers crossed). That being said, are there any particular stores that anyone can recommend that are (relatively) cheap and reliable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Daisy Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 I went with a local guy to do my DMS3 install and it couldn't have gone better. The price was probably a bit more than I would have liked to have spent, but I've been very happy with my system since he did it. Madison Mods Glen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 I've been looking into this too, notably the chip Romier mentions, but in the UK it has since become so incredibly difficult to find anyone admitting to selling PS2 chips and performing the instillation service that I am pretty much bang out of luck. Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainl Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 I'm actually at the point where I'd buy a second PS2, rather than chip, it has got so difficult. But then my Japanese is non-existent, so I'd only need one more region really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy Bling Bling Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 Is there a quick and dirty method to get some jap PS1 games to work on a close to launch model PS2? I want to import Growlanser and Gunner's Heaven(spiritual sequel to Gunstar Heroes). I don't care if it puts extra wear and tear on the PS2. Mine is a piece of junk and probably has a limited lifespan anyway since I supercharged the laser to get it to read CD's again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan FB Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 I've actually had a Matrix Infinity chip for a while, but I haven't gotten around to installing it yet because 1) 20 or so wires and teensy solder points 2) I'm afraid that soon after I install it, my launch PS2's drive will go dead (it already appears to be half-limping...opening/closing is like it's a tremendous effort, some of the time it makes a godawful clicking noise, and it doesn't read some DVD's). At least I successfully converted my Xbox chip install to pin-header (the solderless adaptor lost its ability to actually press on the board), so I'm a bit more confident in my soldering skills now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretvampire Posted February 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 Oh, you guys are such a bad influence. $100 for a mod chip install vs. a new Japanese PS2. :drool So now that I've even crossed the psychological line in even considering a Japanese PS2, if I were to do it, I would at least consider a cool looking one like the ceramic white model. Does anybody know if I could even find one of these if I wanted one? When you can't even find one on sale on Ebay, that smells like trouble in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainl Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 Play-Asia still had some Korean ones, last time I looked. Same game region encoding as the Japanese release. They really aren't cheap, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan FB Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 NCSX has the new small Japanese PStwo's...for $265. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretvampire Posted February 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 Play-Asia still had some Korean ones, last time I looked. Same game region encoding as the Japanese release. They really aren't cheap, though. No, they aren't cheap, but they sure are sexy. :drool I would rather get the "authentic" Japanese version, but they are sold out absolutely EVERYWHERE at this point (well, I don't want the hideous gold version) so I would settle for the Korean bundle. I've got my heart set on the ceramic white GT4 model...but I'm going to have to think long and hard before I pull the trigger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan FB Posted February 5, 2005 Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 Of course, if you get a sexy one, then you'll eventually want to chip it so you can play US games on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted February 5, 2005 Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 For those interested, Mod-Chip.com has a listing for the DMS4. It's of course the 4th generation chip from the DMS team. You can take a look at it here: http://www.mod-chip.com/index2.php?go=en/dms4.htm Is there a quick and dirty method to get some jap PS1 games to work on a close to launch model PS2? Bling, you may want to look into using something like this: Breaker Pro This willl allow you to play PS1 and PS2 imports on your PS2. You will need to get the Slide Card with it. The product page for the Slide Card is here: Slide Card and Magic set I highly recommend buying the set with the Swap Magic discs for better compatability. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretvampire Posted February 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 Of course, if you get a sexy one, then you'll eventually want to chip it so you can play US games on it. You may laugh, but this ridiculous thought had already crossed my mind! But I dunno, with a black one and a white one, I could have a kinda yin-yang thing going on heheh. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for the info on the new chip, Romier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretvampire Posted February 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 Well, a little update...I bit the bullet and found and bought a brand new ceramic white Japanese PS2 bundle on Ebay. I decided I didn't want to deal with new region lockout schemes and all that, and it just looks so damn cool. It was also a bit of a birthday present for myself, and I figure it will probably wind up holding it's value pretty well too. I will take a few pictures when it arrives just for the curious. Follow-up question: Is it easier to mod a console to play USA games or do the same problems apply? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted February 15, 2005 Report Share Posted February 15, 2005 Congrats on the purchase, and yes, the exact same problems apply I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretvampire Posted February 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 Congrats on the purchase, and yes, the exact same problems apply I believe. Yeah, that's what I figured. Thanks! I'm just gonna keep my US system. I might try to get vertical stands for both, I'm betting they would look pretty cool next to each other. This is the first time I've gone for a "limited edition" console mainly because I buy consoles (and handhelds) at launch so I can't justify it later. I'm not saying the white PS2 will be as collectible, but has anybody ever seen how much some of those crazy colored Japanese Dreamcasts go for??? Insane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 but has anybody ever seen how much some of those crazy colored Japanese Dreamcasts go for??? I'd personally love to get my hands on one of the limited edition Panzer Dragoon Xbox's but damn are those bad boys expensive. Still kicking myself for not jumping on that boat when they were available! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretvampire Posted February 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 I'd personally love to get my hands on one of the limited edition Panzer Dragoon Xbox's but damn are those bad boys expensive. Still kicking myself for not jumping on that boat when they were available! Holy CRAP, that's crazy! I vaguely remember this coming out, I didn't realize they were tha expensive. Here is one guy trying to sell one for $1000: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8138266289&category=62054 Would you actually have been able to get one of those when they came out, Romier? If they only made 1000 of them, seems to me like they would be snapped up within Japan in NO time. It is gorgeous though...I guess I have a weakness for white consoles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy Bling Bling Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 I'd personally love to get my hands on one of the limited edition Panzer Dragoon Xbox's but damn are those bad boys expensive. Still kicking myself for not jumping on that boat when they were available! Damn straight! I was still in college and had no money when they came out, but if I had a chance to get one for $500-ish now I'd jump on it without a second thought. It's not too common for the Best...Game....Ever to get its own limited edition system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romier S Posted February 16, 2005 Report Share Posted February 16, 2005 Damn straight! I was still in college and had no money when they came out, but if I had a chance to get one for $500-ish now I'd jump on it without a second thought. It's not too common for the Best...Game....Ever to get its own limited edition system. Agreed on both counts. To answer your question Secret, yes I would have bought one in a heartbeat if I would have had the cash. As noted above, I'd be willing to drop 500ish for one these days just because the console both looks cool as hell and Panzer Dragoon is near and dear to my heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.