Playing Japanese games on an American PS2

[Jeikobu]

My parents were thinking of getting my siblings and me a PS2, but I'd like to know how to play Japanese games on them. What do I need? I don't know how to mod and it sounds to risking anyway. Is Action Replay what I need?

[earsofdoom]

you could just get a japanese ps2.

[throughhim413]

I'm not sure about Action Replay. I got 3 things to mod mine (I have the thin PS2). I had no knowledge of modding before this, so anyone can do it.

1) A 3 piece tool set. Look around, various websites sell these small tools that are used to block the sensors on the PS2.
2) Breaker Pro - For PS1 games only (You might not need this)
3) SwapMagic 3 - For PS2 CDs (ROMs) or DVDs

With these 3 things you can play basically anything on your PS2.

[kenshinbebop]

I read about something that I haven't tried. I'm sure throughhim has already answered your question and you need no more info, but just for the record.... There is this fake disc thing that you put in the PS2, and it reads it as an American disc, then you swap the fake disc for the import, and it plays it as if it were domestic.

[Soluzar]

I read about something that I haven't tried. I'm sure throughhim has already answered your question and you need no more info, but just for the record.... There is this fake disc thing that you put in the PS2, and it reads it as an American disc, then you swap the fake disc for the import, and it plays it as if it were domestic.

That's what ThroughHim is talking about. There are three different discs. The Swap Magic set is comprised of a boot disc for CD-based games, and one for DVD-based games. Breaker Pro on the other hand plays PS1 games.

You also need either a Slide Tool for the original PS2, or either Magic Keys 2 or Magic Switch 2 for the slimline.

[Lemina]

I also recommend getting a Japanese PS2 rather than investing on boot-up discs or modding your system which would instantly void your warranty and a risk of damaging your system. Its much faster to just put a game into the system and play it rather than spend time swapping discs just to do the same thing. I'm an import game collector myself, and in my case, I am considering selling off my PS2 when the PS3 comes out. It is said to be backward compatable with PS1 and PS2 games as well as it being region lockout free.

[Siendra]

I third just purchasing a Japanese PS2. Unless you're planning to directly mod the hardware (Which I doubt, as most people have no idea how), it's just not worth the effort.

[Levon]

I also recommend getting a Japanese PS2 rather than investing on boot-up discs or modding your system which would instantly void your warranty and a risk of damaging your system. Its much faster to just put a game into the system and play it rather than spend time swapping discs just to do the same thing. I'm an import game collector myself, and in my case, I am considering selling off my PS2 when the PS3 comes out. It is said to be backward compatable with PS1 and PS2 games as well as it being region lockout free.

Swap discs down "void your warranty" or "damage your PS2".

So swap discs are great, only downside is you have to swap but thats very simple. Its better than paying hundreds for a Japanese PS2(which won't play US games right? So you'd have to buy two PS2's).

[Siendra]

Boot-discs are spotty at best. And as far as I know, you still need a slide card of flip top, which DOES void the warranty. Not that SCE would ever honour the damn thing anyway.

[Levon]

Using the flip top would void the warranty of course, but not using a slide card.

[throughhim413]

And on the new thin PS2, the mod can be done with the Magic Keys without ever opening the system. They don't void the warranty. Though if you have the original PS2, then I'm pretty sure it will be voided. But Sony's warranty didn't mean a damn thing to me to begin with, so it wasn't a big deal to me.

[brolylssj95]

i just bought a mod chip and that does the trick ebay has smokin deals i got mine and a bunch of ps1/2 import games for less then 150 us dollars. like i think 20 games and the mod chip but i also have a large ps2 so you have to be sure its the right one

[Siendra]

Using the flip top would void the warranty of course, but not using a slide card.


Uh, on the original PS2, the front of the CD tray must be removed to use a Slide Card. That voids the warranty.

[Levon]

The tray can snap on & off easy. Its not like you break it off.

[CrossboneGundam]

Uh, on the original PS2, the front of the CD tray must be removed to use a Slide Card. That voids the warranty.

All it takes is the removal of a single screw. The front of the tray will actually stay on without it, no less. Just pop the screw back in and noone's the wiser.

But anyway, it doesn't void the warranty, which is only good for a year anyway.

[Gasaraki]

I vote slide card, it's super cheap, there's a PS2 and PS2slim version, they work with every import(and "backup") I've ever tried, and like already mentioned, do NOT void ANY warranty.

[Solid_Snake]

Will these work with PAL format games? I want a translated Siren 2. :(

[Soluzar]

Will these work with PAL format games? I want a translated Siren 2. :(

Well, I play NTSC games on a PAL PS2 using the PAL format Swap Magic... so I can only assume that if you buy the NTSC format Swap Magic, it would work in reverse.

Swap Magic is capable of automatically adjusting the video output, but there may be some minor speedup or slowdown when going from 50hz to 6hz, or vice-versa.

[Lemina]

Swap discs down "void your warranty" or "damage your PS2".

So swap discs are great, only downside is you have to swap but thats very simple. Its better than paying hundreds for a Japanese PS2(which won't play US games right? So you'd have to buy two PS2's).

I think you misunderstood what I said. I was talking about dismantling your system to insert a mod chip would void your warrenty and possibly damage your system. I use boot-up discs to play imports myself, and I always found them to be a lot more practical. In a way, having a Japanese NTSC-J system of any kind has its advantage of never having to swap discs, but otherwise, swaping boot-up discs to play import games are a great alternative for NTSC-U/C systems and you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars for it.

[Sharp-kun]

Far easier is just to get a Network Adaptor and Hard Drive.

[Bezerker]

Does HD loader allow for PAL & NTSC-J backups?

Been a few years since i had the thick ps2 with the hd loader. Right now i use the slim with swap magic & a flip-top.

[Rogue_Angel19]

Hmm, when i used Swap Magic to play Tales of Symphonia it didn't work. I have a Slim PS2 and Swap Magic. WHere can I buy a Japanese PS2 anyone?

[cris]

another bot?

[reddot23]

Some fo my games were Black and White what's wrong?

[cris]

it's your connection or wires.

[Soluzar]

Yeah definitely. I've only known that to happen when trying to play NTSC games on a TV that won't support it though. I've got a TV that will handle NTSC, but when I took my PS2 round to a friend's house, all my imports were in black and white. That blows.

[DarkNataku]

I have yet to get my game but i already have the Swap Disk. But since this is my first import game i'm wondering which disk to use. The one labeled CD Rom Driver or DVD Rom Driver? I think the DVD one would be if the game was burn on a dvd not the original.

[Soluzar]

I have yet to get my game but i already have the Swap Disk. But since this is my first import game i'm wondering which disk to use. The one labeled CD Rom Driver or DVD Rom Driver? I think the DVD one would be if the game was burn on a dvd not the original.
It's simple. If your game was originally on a DVD, you use the DVD boot disc. If your game was originally on a CD, you use the CD boot disc. It doesn't make a bit of difference whether you use an original game or a copy.

PS2 games on silver discs are DVDs. PS2 games on blue discs are CDs.

That refers to the readable surface, not the label.

If you plan to back up your games to keep the originals safe, be sure to burn them to the right kind of media.

[DarkNataku]

I keep trying and it tells me that is not a valid PS2 disc. What am i doing wrong aside from using swap disk.

I'm trying to play a Japanese game so Video Mode has to be on NTSC right?

[Levon]

Well it should work then. Try cleaning your lens.

[DarkNataku]

I figured out what i was doing wrong. Forgot to push the tray back in with the slide tool.