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[Hooker]

I want to play Guitar Hero, but just received the word that it probably isn't coming out in Europe. So import it is.


Now onto my question, what is the best way to play USA/JPN games on our PAL PS2's (without losing quality in the video) - Is there something like a freeloader available, or do I need to mod a PS2. HDloader? or even buying a NTSC PS2.


There's bound to be some who know this, thanks in advance...

 

[8bit]

HDLoader, HDD, USB Drive & WinHIIP does it for me.
I've been playing through Space Channel Part 2 tonight and it cost me about 15 dollars for the game, a big difference from the ~100 dollars it cost me for the DC import 4 years ago.

 

[Danj]

what is the best way to play USA/JPN games on our PAL PS2's (without losing quality in the video) - Is there something like a freeloader available, or do I need to mod a PS2. HDloader? or even buying a NTSC PS2.

The only legal way to do it is by importing an NTSC PS2. I can't say whether HDloader allows you to bypass region protection since I don't have a hard drive in my PS2; if it doesn't, you'd need a mod. If you do choose to get your PS2 modded, make sure whatever mod you get supports DVD-9 - some of the older and/or cheaper ones do not do this, and games are increasingly coming out on DVD-9s. Also, obviously, you'll need to make sure your TV can accept NTSC input, but unless you have a really old TV I doubt that'll be a problem. My 14" Sony is about 10 years old and can do NTSC (in fact, I'm playing Super Robot Wars Alpha on it right now, heh).

 

[Tempy]

I use Swap Magic and a fliptop case mod (which allows you to change discs without using the tray mechanism). You can also use a Sliding Tool with Swap Magic.

Now I can import and play Makai Kingdom (and other games) without having to wait ages for it to come out in Europe.

 

[GeNoMe]

Some say they work....and others curse the day they ever tried them.


Wich one are you?

 

[ourumov]

Hdloader is your friend...coupled with HDLdump of course

 

[EternalDarko]

I use Swap Magic 3.6 and the Slide Tool. Works a treat.

 

[polg]

I use Swap Magic 3.6 and the Slide Tool. Works a treat.

Do u have normal or slimline?
How does it exactly work?

 

[EternalDarko]

I have a normal PS2. You need to remove the front panel of the drive tray, which is pretty simple to do. And then use the slide tool which you can see in the picture above on top of the Swap Magic CD's. It's basically used to open and close the drive tray without the system recognising that it is happening and then you can use any imported game perfectly well. I haven't had any problems with any game so far.

You can find some guides at the following link:

http://www.timehascome.co.uk/list.php?c=art

 

[callous]

You also need an RGB cable to get colours on your TV unless it's compatible with true NTSC (chances are it isn't). Good news is it costs like £2 at Play Asia.

 

[polg]

You can find some guides at the following link:

http://www.timehascome.co.uk/list.php?c=art

it looks very "hacky"...

-sigh- I might still give it a try though...

 

[pjberri]

Do u have normal or slimline?
How does it exactly work?

I've got the normal one, when I bought my swap magic discs they came with a slide tool which is basically a plastic card with a hook in one corner. You slide that into the left side of the underneath of the tray (you have to take off the tray cover first, which is easy and can be put back on just as easily) then drag it to the right so it can catch on the mechanism that pushes and pulls the tray in and out. When it's out enough you just pull it out, put your disc in, then push the tray back in and put the card in the right side to catch onto the mechanism again to drag it back into its starting position.
If it sounds complicated, it's not, it's a little bit of a hassle though, but a small price to pay. If you have the slimline you can buy a replacement disc cover that makes the whole thing a lot easier, the disc cover looks quite easy to install, too.

And as far as compatibility goes, I've got both Katamari games and SF3:TS and they all work. There's only a couple of games that don't work, if you look around on the internet you can find a list of those that do and don't, just Google it.

 

[callous]

It really is very simple. You shouldn't worry about it. It's kinda tedious, but there's nothing hacky or difficult about it. A mod chip is much more convenient, but also costs more and voids warranty (if you still have one). I've yet to try an import that didn't work, and I have quite a few.

 

[polg]

I've got the normal one, when I bought my swap magic discs they came with a slide tool which is basically a plastic card with a hook in one corner. You slide that into the left side of the underneath of the tray (you have to take off the tray cover first, which is easy and can be put back on just as easily) then drag it to the right so it can catch on the mechanism that pushes and pulls the tray in and out. When it's out enough you just pull it out, put your disc in, then push the tray back in and put the card in the right side to catch onto the mechanism again to drag it back into its starting position.
If it sounds complicated, it's not, it's a little bit of a hassle though, but a small price to pay. If you have the slimline you can buy a replacement disc cover that makes the whole thing a lot easier, the disc cover looks quite easy to install, too.

And as far as compatibility goes, I've got both Katamari games and SF3:TS and they all work. There's only a couple of games that don't work, if you look around on the internet you can find a list of those that do and don't, just Google it.

Those are some of the game I want!

 

[callous]

I'll throw in what I can remember I have. These are all imports working with Swap Magic/variant thereof:

Disaster Report
Sky Odyssey
Ace Combat 4
BoF: Dragon Quarter
Okage
Suikoden III/IV
Xenosaga
Kaido Battle 2
Battle Gear 3
La Pucelle
Shinobi
FFX-2
MGS 3
SMT: Nocturne

and more I can't remember right now.

 

[Dachande]

You could always get the DMS4 EZI no-solder modchip. No need to stick a burning hot rod of iron into your PS2s innards, assuming you have the Fat PS2.

 

[snaildog]

I soldered a modchip in - if you can do it yourself then it only costs about $10. It works perfectly, although you have to hold down the reset button for a couple of seconds when you play PS1 games or DVDs. I'm the only one that knows how to use my PS2 now.

 

[Hooker]

I still have to buy the PS2, so modchip is kinda out of the question. HDloader may be as well as those new slim PS2s are the ones I'm eyeing.




That Swap Magic tool looks intriguing, but only works on the black models :/ (the starter pack with 2 controllers and 1 memory card is satin silver in Europe instead of black)

This sucks ass

Thanks for all the help though!!