Japanese Playstation Q's

[Sotenga]

Good news! I won Gradius Gaiden on eBay, mint, for $25! :D

Bad news! I can't play it on my friggin' American PS1! :(

I could modify my PS1, but it's one of the newer models... not sure if a mod chip would work on one of those, so I think the better option here would be to gain a Japanese PS1. I THINK it's the better option... I'm a total newbie to importing, so I have a few questions:

1. What is the general price range of a Japanese PS1?

2. Do I need a special adaptor to make the plugs for the Japanese machine fit?

3. I already have an American PSONE and PS2... I'm a little sketchy on owning three Playstations. Should I sell my American PSONE?

I don't know what other questions I could ask... if anyone else has any suggestions for me on this matter, it would be appreciated. Thanks. :)

[Querjek]

I'd suggest selling your PSOne if you don't want to have 3 Playstations since your PS2 can play PSOne games.

[Azazel]

One of those bootdisks or DC-X-Change disk should work for playing imports on a US machine.

[gamergary]

I use a bootdisc to play my only import game but the later imports have a scanner that detects when you are using a boot disc (it really says you have a mod chip) so you won't be able to play them with getting patches online for the games.

[udisi]

find an debug station and sell your ps1's...

[Funk Buddy]

2. Do I need a special adaptor to make the plugs for the Japanese machine fit?

3. I already have an American PSONE and PS2... I'm a little sketchy on owning three Playstations. Should I sell my American PSONE?



No adaptor is needed if you're talking about the AC plug... or controllers for that matter.

I'd sell it unless you need one some where else in the house.

[Sotenga]

I think I'll sell my American PS1. Don't know when, don't know for how much, but I'll replace it with a Japanese PS1 someday. Thanks guys. I'm an import newbie, so I can look to you all for s'more advice. :)

EDIT: WAIT! I just received Gradius Gaiden today, and on a whim, I decided to pop it into my American PS1. I got this message:

Please insert Playstation format disc.

Would any format/boot disks correspond with my copy of GG? I think if it works, then a boot disk would be the best, cheapest option for me. Gary said that later imports and boot disks just don't mix... but GG was made in 1997... is that too late? All imports that I have my eye on were made on or before 1997... I think a boot disc will be the waydigo here. Any objections?

[Dire 51]

If a boot disc works exactly the same as a standard mod chip, GG should work with one. It doesn't have that anti-modchip detection bit built in. A couple of later games that I can think of that do would be Strider Hiryu 1 & 2 and Dino Crisis, and those didn't come out until 1999-2000. Some of the games released after that didn't have that "protection" either - Castlevania Chronicle: Akumajou Dracula comes to mind here.