Question about getting an import console...

[Darkness X]

I just recently got a Japanese Saturn, and I already love it! There are so many cool/weird/interesting games that we don't get here in the USA. Now I just want more games like this...

Anyway, which system has the biggest selection of games(that didn't make it to the US)? Right now I'm thinking of going with PS1 or PS2(I know the PS2 would be backwards compatible, but the PS1 would be cheaper). Any suggestions?

Thanks, and I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid topic. I'd just like to know all your opinions on this.

:)

[Ed Oscuro]

Well, when you say "what console has the biggest selection of games" you realize that there's no way the vast majority of mere mortals can afford to pick up all the A-list titles from any given console :)

So probably your best bet is to think about what system you're the biggest fan of and start looking at the Japanese stuff for it. Many of the consoles out there have various titles that are wildly expensive (perhaps worth it to the die hard gamer) and if you want to pick those up, that's good - but really after you've bought a console there's no reason to buy a ton of games for it because by the time you've spent however many $xxx on good (even $15 titles add up and FAST) games, you're spending an amount that could have also been well spent on a totally different console and perhaps a couple games for it.

What sort of stuff you looking for? Action games? RPGs? 3D stuff?

[evilmess]

have you been here yet?
http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japangaming/main.cgi

You'll find lots of info on many Japanese games across a dozen platforms.

My import collecting is limited to Saturn, DC and Super Famicom but I'd like to play a few PS1 and PS2 imports if I could find a way to do this without having to mod my ps2. A Japanese PS2 may be in my future if a reasonable ps2 imports solution isn't available sometime in the near future.

[Darkness X]

Hmmm, well as far as genre's go, I like them all! :)

As far as systems go, My current favorites are: Saturn(this doesn't matter since I finally got a Japanese one), Dreamcast, Genesis(Not really sure about getting an MD, since the Genesis games I care about most are in the USA), PS1, Super Famicom. And maybe PS2.

I know those are a lot of choices, but I would like to get them all in the future. I just don't know which one to focus on for this Summer for imports(besides Saturn)

[Ed Oscuro]

I always focus on individual games, and getting together packages that are economical to ship ;)

[Flack]

You can still get mod chips for the PSX for under $10. Once modded, the Playstation will play games from any region. That might be a cheap route to playing Japanese games quicker!

[anagrama]

Anyway, which system has the biggest selection of games(that didn't make it to the US)?


I'd guess at the PC Engine.

[davidbrit2]

It's ridiculously easy to run imports on a PS1(all models) without a mod chip. Read here. (http://www2.gvsu.edu/~brittedg/PSXImports.html)

I'd recommend picking up a PSOne for $50. You might have trouble running multi-disc games, but those are few and far between. Some games use a bit more advanced region checking, so you might need an Action Replay code to get it running.

This is basically the approach I've been using for the past few years (AR cartridge on a PS1 model 1001).

[Darkness X]

You can still get mod chips for the PSX for under $10. Once modded, the Playstation will play games from any region. That might be a cheap route to playing Japanese games quicker!

True, but the two things that have stopped me from doing this are: 1.I suck at modding systems(so I would probably mess it up in someway). And 2.My PSX is very old, and I'm afraid to take it apart and work on it as it seems fragile enough already(plus I have so many good memories with it, I would go crazy if it actually did break).

Also I like the feeling you get from playing imports on an actual Japanese system. :)

[Darkness X]

It's ridiculously easy to run imports on a PS1(all models) without a mod chip. Read here. (http://www2.gvsu.edu/~brittedg/PSXImports.html)

I'd recommend picking up a PSOne for $50. You might have trouble running multi-disc games, but those are few and far between. Some games use a bit more advanced region checking, so you might need an Action Replay code to get it running.

This is basically the approach I've been using for the past few years (AR cartridge on a PS1 model 1001).

Hey, thanks for the link! I also have a PS1 model 1001. Would I be able to use my CodeBreaker version 3.3 to play imports on it though?

Edit: Since you have probably used the model 1001 for a long time you would probably though this, but is it really true that if you play the system for a couple hours nonstop it could overheat so bad the laser can get messed up? And is there anyway to prevent this so I can play longer(with out adding a fan/ect)?

Thanks.

Note: sorry for the double post.

[davidbrit2]

Hey, thanks for the link! I also have a PS1 model 1001. Would I be able to use my CodeBreaker version 3.3 to play imports on it though?

It's a definite possibility. Use your finger or something to hold down the lid switch, and boot the CodeBreaker. Watch the disc, and see if it stops spinning at the main menu, or when it tells you to put in the game you want to use. If it does, it'll probably work.

[TheRedEye]

Anyway, which system has the biggest selection of games(that didn't make it to the US)?


I'd guess at the PC Engine.

No, it's the PS1, by about 4,000 or so.

[davidbrit2]

Anyway, which system has the biggest selection of games(that didn't make it to the US)?


I'd guess at the PC Engine.

No, it's the PS1, by about 4,000 or so.

...Roughly 1000 of which are Konami music games. Heh.