import a ps2 or mod one?

[djbeatmongrel]

I'm sure this question has arisen a few times but not with the current prices floating around. I am thinking about importing a ps2 with my tax return money so i can play a bunch of 2d fighters and get the japanese taiko drum games. from what i have found so far $180 seems to be the going rate for a new slimline (and play-asia has a nice white one). i was wondering if its worth buying a modded ps2 instead or are there cheaper places to order japanese playstations.

[smork]

Got mine modded for $40. It's a plain black slimline and it now plays anything. $180 > $40, so I say mod.

I think you'd be hard-pressed to get a JP PS2 for less than $100, so unless you need another PS2 or have moral opposition to modding something, modding makes more sense. IMO, of course :)

[djbeatmongrel]

funny thing you should say that, i really dont want to mod my ps2 being that its the silver model and i dont know how to mod a damn thing nor do i want to risk royally screwing it up.

[Cirrus]

Try:
http://www.bayareamods.net/installations_new.html

I used them for my Xbox, and they did a great job.

[Maxx]

I've seen a site that had tabs and a bootup disk for the slimline. Easy to install and does NOT void warranty because you never open the system. I feel the same way about wanting to keep your original just the way you bought it. With this you can just take off the tabs and it's just like you bought it. I"m at work now, when I go home I'll see if I can't find the site for you.

[Hwj_Chim]

go with the jap system that way you can just plug and play with minimum hassle

[djbeatmongrel]

the more time that passes the more i think i am headed in that route. overall it seems a bit cheaper just to import the a system since i'd be buying a another to get modded for the same purpose. i am still looking around online just incase but it looks like my decision may be made on importing one unless someone can sway me towards modding.

[smork]

go with the jap system that way you can just plug and play with minimum hassle

Dunno, mine's about as hassle free as it gets!

Step 1) Take PS2 to shop that does mods.
Step 2) Pay money.
Step 3) Come back in a few hours and pick up your console that plays anything you throw at it. No boot disks, swaps, etc. Drop in a disk and it plays.

There are more shops that do this than you think -- I know of several in Houston (at least, did know when I lived there).

[apocalypse later]

I just got a swap disc for my PS2 slim. For $30, you get both swap magic discs and the necessary parts to allow imports to play on it. You don't even have to open it up.

Personally, I just bought a Silver PS2 slim for my US games and use my black PS2 slim for imports, plus it's hooked up to my Tate monitor so it's all good.

[mb7241]

I bought a Japanese PS2 when I decided I wanted to play Japanese PS2 games...eBay, $140, came with 10 at least OK games. It's among the better monies I've spent for gaming purposes.

[josekortez]

I just got my white PS2 from playasia.com, and I don't regret it for a minute. I'm just happy that I can now enjoy the 2 Taito Memories games and Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box.

[bangtango]

the more time that passes the more i think i am headed in that route. overall it seems a bit cheaper just to import the a system since i'd be buying a another to get modded for the same purpose. i am still looking around online just incase but it looks like my decision may be made on importing one unless someone can sway me towards modding.

So what did you end up doing?

[Captain Wrong]

Flip top + memory card exploit + hard drive FTW!!!!

[djbeatmongrel]

i'm going to go with getting a import white ps2 once i get my tax return

[Wolf]

In all honesty if you are going to pay for a mod chip and a slim ps2 ( although if you already own a ps2 forget this ) then imo it is a much smarter move to just import a j-ps2, why ?

A few reasons, 1 owning a chipped na ps2 is not going to net you much cash later on, even if it is working condition, 2 people ( on ebay ) are more willing to shell out decent cash for a working and nice shape used j-ps2 if you ever want to sell it.

I have heard ( no clue how accurate this is ) that the j-ps2's are made a little bette than ours, that could just be some nice rumor but I have had 0 problems with my ceramic white model, my na bulky ps2 is still kicking but it has alot of dvd movie and in game cs hickups. finaly, since for now it looks like na will not be getting the ceramic white or pink ( whch is oop at most j-stores anyway ) ps2 models I suggest getting the white one, it really kicks ass and at least will be somewhat collectable unless they do a final na print run of ps2 and decide to make that color.

One thing I want to warn you about DJ, since I noticed you said you want to get some 2d fighters, the majority of j-ps2 fighters which did not make it over here are long oop and either in "best" versions at this point or semi hard to find, even on ebay. You can still find most of the snk neo collection in stock, of course the fist of the north star and GGXX core is coming out very soon too, but stuff like SS 5 and Tenka, along with SVC and darkstalkers collection, your gonna have to watch ebay or the pre owned section of places like play asia, not saying ps2 imports are ultra rare or impossible to find, but be warned finding specific titles for it is getting a little bit harder now or a bigger waiting game, especialy if you want nm copies and stuff.

Sure you will always see some dude in hk or a j store with that one copy up for 69-72 USD on ebay, but half the time I question, better others buy from those guys than me.

However that should change eventualy, kinda like how PA has been getting alot of ps1 pre owned copies over the last few months, I just wish they would get more than 5+ used ps2 games a month heh.

[kainemaxwell]

I've got the swap magic disc and tabs set for my slim PS2 (v.13). Anyone else have issues trying to get the tab that goes near the disc lid in, where you have to try to bend the metal piece to put the tab in and make it flush?