So I think I bought a Japanese PS3...

[aaron7]

I recently bought a used 60gb PS3 (wifi and hardware PS/PS2 yay) from a guy in the Army. Got a good deal on it and it's in perfect shape.

Well when I first turned it on everything was in Japanese. I figured, ok, maybe he just liked it that way.

I went thru the menus and reset the system as well as formatted the hard drive to start clean.

Well after I reset the system... it was still in Japanese. And the scrolling thing in the top right was also Japanese.

I went in the menu and set everything to English. All seemed fine.

I've played GT5, GTA4... watched a few Blu-Rays I bought. All fine.

I didn't find a problem till I tried to play an NTSC DVD. None work, the PS3 says my region code is wrong!!

So I'm guessing Blu-Rays don't have a region code?

And is there any way to change the region code?

IS this a Japanese PS3? Or would it not work with my NTSC TV if it was?

I'm so lost!

[eugenek]

Japan is NTSC too. It does sound like a Japanese unit. PS3 games are region-free, so try putting in a PS1 or PS2 disc and if it doesn't work, it's definitely Jap.

[Darren870]

Yea sounds Japanese...

Check the bottom of the unit maybe? If there are any stickers they would probably be in Japanese.

[aaron7]

Makes sense. Is there a way to flash the firmware or something? I'll probably end up selling it to buy a US 60g.

[Drexel923]

In addition to the region free PS3 games, US and JPN share the same region for Blu-Ray movies so you are fine with everything...except for maybe the PS Store?

Anyway, personally I would keep it. Not only can you play all your US games and watch movies, but now you can play any PS1/2 imports that you want (and there are some great games/compilations that never came out here).

Just go and buy a cheap PS2 to play your US stuff.

[aclbandit]

In addition to the region free PS3 games, US and JPN share the same region for Blu-Ray movies so you are fine with everything...except for maybe the PS Store?

Anyway, personally I would keep it. Not only can you play all your US games and watch movies, but now you can play any PS1/2 imports that you want (and there are some great games/compilations that never came out here).

Just go and buy a cheap PS2 to play your US stuff.

For seriously! That is the solution I thought of as well-- since all the new PS3 stuff is region-free, use it for Blu-Rays/PS3 games, then buy a cheap american PS2 for your old games and your DVDs. Problem solved, and also-- IMPORTS!

[Sudo]

I'd get rid of it if you care about playing some of the more mature titles. Resistance and Uncharted off the top of my head both remove the blood if played on a Japanese system. Stupid, but true.