Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

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BoneSnapDeez
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Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by BoneSnapDeez »

So I bought a Japanese copy of Tales of Destiny 2 but don't have the means to play it. What's the easiest way to get this running on my North American PS2? I've heard of something called SwapMagic but I'm confused by how it all works.
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noiseredux
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by noiseredux »

do you have a slim or a fat?
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BoneSnapDeez
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by BoneSnapDeez »

Slimmy slim slim slim slimmy slimmy
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CRTGAMER
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by CRTGAMER »

BoneSnapDeez wrote:So I bought a Japanese copy of Tales of Destiny 2 but don't have the means to play it. What's the easiest way to get this running on my North American PS2? I've heard of something called SwapMagic but I'm confused by how it all works.
Swap Magic is a boot disc, run it and place the import game when prompted. You will need a custom flip top or slide tool to bypass the eject disc detection. Get a fat for the hard drive convenience. Information on this and how to make the tool in the PS2 Hard Drive Guide.
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noiseredux
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by noiseredux »

ok two ways to go about this with Swap Magic. First off, you can buy Swap Magic from eStarland -- totally legit, and they won't gouge you. It's about $25 for the set. You don't need the one that comes with the slide tool since you have a Slim.

Swap Magic lets you literally swap games. BUT you need to be able to swap games without the PS2 knowing you hit eject, so the PS2 won't reset. So here's your options.

1. Tissue/tape "mod" -- super SUPER easy to do even if you have no idea about tinkering with electronics. Youtube "ps2 tissue tape" and watch how easy this is. Will take you about 10 mins, a screwdriver, some electrical tape and a little bit of tissue. This is what I did and now I can open the PS2 without the PS2 knowing it's open.

2. Replacement lid. If you really don't want to tinker with the PS2, you can buy a replacement lid (from eStarland also) that lets you lift up and swap discs without hitting eject.

CRTGAMER wrote:Get a fat for the hard drive convenience.
he's asking how to play imports on his Slim PS2, so I don't think "buy a Fat PS2" is the answer he was after.
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by CRTGAMER »

noiseredux wrote:
CRTGAMER wrote:Get a fat for the hard drive convenience.
he's asking how to play imports on his Slim PS2, so I don't think "buy a Fat PS2" is the answer he was after.
Just another option to help make a decision on the investment. Installing the import in the hard drive prevents the boot disc hassle every time the game is played.
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ZenErik
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by ZenErik »

Mod chip is a good way. ;)

Personally, I just use Free McBoot. But it cannot play Japanese retail games. So I burn a copy of said Japanese games, and then it works perfectly.
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BoneSnapDeez
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by BoneSnapDeez »

Thanks for the help peeps. Actually noise, I had been looking at estarland just minutes ago. That's where I buy most of my gaming stuff these days.

So it sounds like, technically, all I need is those SwapMagic discs? That tissue/tape mod looks interesting, but I'll probably just invest in the replacement lid eventually.

Honestly, I feel kinda silly buying this for just one game, but maybe this will open the door to future PS2 imports.

Sorta off-topic: I should be able to play Japanese games on the PCSX2 emulator right? I'd like to test out my game tonight, if possible.
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by dsheinem »

CRTGAMER wrote:
noiseredux wrote:
CRTGAMER wrote:Get a fat for the hard drive convenience.
he's asking how to play imports on his Slim PS2, so I don't think "buy a Fat PS2" is the answer he was after.
Just another option to help make a decision on the investment. Installing the import in the hard drive prevents the boot disc hassle every time the game is played.
Every single fucking time this topic comes up, you always recommend this to people.

You also have a link in your sig that goes to a thread you created about this very topic. It all seems very spammy.

Jesus:

HDLoader = 165 matches

Fat = 193 matches

Hard Drive = 274 matches

FFS, man.
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Re: Playing a Japanese game on North American PS2

Post by Hobie-wan »

BoneSnapDeez wrote:Sorta off-topic: I should be able to play Japanese games on the PCSX2 emulator right? I'd like to test out my game tonight, if possible.
It shouldn't care, other emulators don't. However you might need a Japanese BIOS dump to be able to play it. Been quite a while since I messed with PS2 emulators.
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