PAL bugginess or just the Game? Please Look

[optmusprimenumber]

Bug Question on page 6

EDIT: Victory shots on page 6...

EDIT: Just found this! http://tenchustealthassassins.yuku.com/ ... ido-in-usa

Edited to reflect recent findings without removing the original content which may help someone help me:

I want to play Shinobido: Way of the Ninja(PAL)/Imashime(NTSC/JP) but it was never released in the states, I have an NTSC PStwo (slim), I'm trying to get everything I need to know nailed down before I buy the wrong region copy...

So far I've found out that I could:

1) Get the PAL version and with swap magic play it while dealing w/ the video format differences and British voiceovers (nothing against that accent, I'm just not stoked to play a JAPANESE NINJA game w/ British voiceovers... )

2) Get the Japanese version and with swap magic play it while learning Japanese at the same time so that I can understand what's going on with the "Alchemy" system and inventory and whatnot.

3) Download a patched ISO and burn a copy of the game and play it (though I suppose I'd have to mod my PS2 for that to work). Which btw, I'm having mass amounts of trouble finding a reputable source for an ISO of the game in the first place (without the patch). Honestly, I think to see this option all the way through is way over my head.

I'm guessing that for video format reasons the Japanese version is the best way to go... but unless it has an English text option or I at least spend some time translating the kanji in the menus and stuff it's gonna be a bit difficult.

What do I do??

[optmusprimenumber]

...

[optmusprimenumber]

More googleing has come up with some various answers (possibilities)... the PAL version does have Japanese voiceovers (as an option) which is cool, that takes care of the language problem (I can read it, understand it, and hear an appropriate voiced language). However, it appears that I'll never get to see the whole screen (someone over at GameFAQS stated that he has to play the game without the compass or enemy awareness meter that are displayed at the top of the screen on a PAL tv)...

Also, according to some, modern NTSC tv's support both 50hz and 60hz. I don't know if that's true or not or if my tv is even one of those (it is modern, but I don't know if it supports both frequencies).

I also found a guide on here by CRTGAMER (http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 23#p388723) about converting PAL games to NTSC (PS/PS2) with some ripping, backing up, patching and burning involved... Not sure if it's something I want to do. I also found a site with a big list of PAL PS2 games with similar instructions and even a list of the necessary Y-offsets (http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/121718) and it does mention Swap Magic (literally just found this part):

Is there any other alternative if patching is unsuccessful?
Boot a copy of Swap Magic 3. After it loads, eject it. Insert the PAL game. Let it read the new TOC. Select NTSC on screen, then press the SQUARE BUTTON for special boot.

So maybe it's that simple. All I need to do is get the game and Swap Magic 3 and I can play this freakin game.

Hopefully I'm not wasting space here... I've only had this post up for about 48 hours but I haven't had any responses so I'm just spit-ballin in the meantime.

I also found another post about playing import games via hard drive and hdloader software... but I'm guessing that doesn't do anything for the video conversion (Edit: *Unless I patch the ISO...). Anyway, if anyone knows anything that I missed or appear to misunderstand, please by all means, for the love of ninjas, help me out.

[brunoafh]

Hey, figured I'd throw in my 2 cents.

I think your best bet is to just buy a Japanese PS2. There are a LOT of great PS2 games that never made it out of Japan. I bought one some time ago and haven't looked back, I still regularly buy new games for it to this day. The only problem with this option is that a) you said you don't know Japanese (but still, you can play anyway/use guides/ect) and b) this can be quite expensive if you can't find a good deal.

This way you don't have to deal with the bother of swap magic, and you're opening yourself up to dozens upon dozens of awesome imports (assuming you even care about import gaming).

If you don't feel like playing it in Japanese, I would probably just opt for option 3. It won't be over your head after a few hours of research, and then you'll never have to worry about playing a PS2 game, for any region, ever again.

[optmusprimenumber]

I'm not really into the idea of getting a Japanese PS2... However, Swap Magic can bypass the need for a chip, from what I've gathered, so I wouldn't have to mod my NTSC PS2 to play a back up. Then, as you suggested, I figure out the deal with iso patching and whatnot and I play Shinobido(!). Much thanks

Now I suppose the right thing to do is start w/ a copy of the PAL version...

Anyone come across any neatly organized hoards of iso's of this nature?

...aren't backups not so good for the lense?

[noiseredux]

no matter what you do (import, backup) you'll need to tissue/tape mod your slim PS2 to get the swap to work. Just making sure you realize that.

[optmusprimenumber]

Swap Magic seems to have that taken care of http://www.videogameall.com/ps3swapmagic.html I think I'd be going w/ the switch

[noiseredux]

if you want to buy and install the fliptop, that's up to you. But just to let you know it took me about 10 mins to do the tissue/tape mod myself. It's really easy and costs you nothing as opposed to paying an extra $10+ for the fliptop.

[optmusprimenumber]

Right on Right on... but I been lookin at this one http://www.videogameall.com/ps2-swapmag ... ro-v4.html ...and I'm all for saving money but if there's a proper alternative to tape and tissue-ing my ps2 then I'm all for that too

[noiseredux]

yr call buddy. Just trying to save you a few bucks.