Playing Japanese games on a US PS2

[Slipdeath]

So what exactly do I need to play japanese games on my PS2, by any chance would a gameshark or something work?

[geelw]

So what exactly do I need to play japanese games on my PS2, by any chance would a gameshark or something work?

a japanese ps2 is still the MOST reliable and absolute best non-modification based way to go, period. all these other "oh, you only need to remove the door" mods or "solderless" insanity are only worth the hassle if you have an extra console to futz around with. people will tell you "it's easy!" to mod a ps2, but if you're not comfortable with voiding your waranty, just shell out for something that works straight out of the box.

that said and done, i don't know if the new slimline model is gameshark/action replay-able, but i'm sure someone here will chime in with something.

consider this, however: prices on japanese ps2's are and will continue to drop as the system ages. so stock up on cheap ps and ps2 imports, and keep checking out import shop sites for price cuts. i'd say "go ebay", but if it's coming from japan, the shipping may put you off. it all depends on your finances. if you can afford a new jps2, go for it. don't skimp just to be "cool" or anything silly like that...

g.

[dj898]

get PS2 Test...
before you say anything it is not impossible to get...
I got mine from Assembler under $250 last year...

[geelw]

er.... well, you can get just about ANYTHING from assembler , but he's pretty much the only reliable source out there for something like that.

i addressing the poster as someone who doesn't want to deal with the general hassles of a a non-retail solution, in which case an off the shelf new japanese ps2 will be the BEST choice. to get.

however, if money or condition is no object, a test ps2 is the perfect choice.

g.

[Slipdeath]

Thanks, I think I will wait a while longer for the price to drop on the Jap PS2, hopefully I can get a white one, they look pretty good.

[Leroy]

The swap disc is pretty damn good for playing REAL imports. The slide-tool and the flip-top lids are total garbage, but if you leave the casing unscrewed it is rather quite simple to load the boot disc, remove the case and lid, insert the import, replace lip and case and boot. It sounds a bit daunting but it takes maybe 30-60 seconds and it's fairly inexpensive. I did a LOT of import gaming using this method and only got a mod-chip once the no-solder chip was released and primarily so I could play my PS1 imports without having to buy ANOTHER boot disc.

I gave the swap disc to a friend who isn't very technical and even he has no issues using this method.

[phreak97]

hmm... who is this assembler? i just dropped my resume into a games store the other day, if i get the job, ill seriously concider buying a ps2 debugging station (test) with my first pay(s).

[dj898]

google search Assembler forum...
many of regualrs on there have mutiple debug/dev consoles...
I myself have two Saturn dev setups as well as PS2 Test and green Debugstation...