I've started going down my list of things i wanted to do with my PS2 but have never gotten around to for one reason or another. I bought an arcade stick, and now I want to start looking into getting some import games, particularly fighters like Hokuto No Ken and SVC Chaos.
My first thought was to just get my PS2 chipped but now ive discovered that my V12 system will need additional modding so that the chip wont fry the system anyway.
As i did more research i discovered theres a ton of different ways to play imports but none seem to be all that simple, or cheap for that matter. So here are the avenues ive thought about so far. I want to get advice on what I should do. Please keep in mind though that my eyesight is crap so any soldering or modding isnt going to be done by me. I'm going to have to pay someone for any of those avenues. The other thing is that i'm only really interested in getting legit PS1 and PS2 imports. I dont care about homebrew or playing back ups.
1. Get the slim PS2 I have chipped and modded to keep the chip from killing it.
2. Buy a cheap used Fat PS2 and get it chipped sans additional modification.
3. Buy a used Fat PS2 and install a flip top to load games to a hard drive. I thin i use swap magic on this to load the imports, but not sure.
4. Buy a used JP PS2 on ebay and just deal with having two slim PS2s.
Pretty much all of these solutions are going to cost over a 100 before i even start getting games so I want to get it right the first time.
Well i guess there is a fifth option.
5. Forget about it and just buy more U.S PS2 games.
But i really would like to be able to play Hokuto No Ken so i dont like to think about that last one, even if it is probably the most fiscally responsible choice.
As always any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
What should I do with my PS2
Re: What should I do with my PS2
Get a Phat PS2 even if the laser is busted. Get Free MC Boot to use HDLoader. Network Adapter and a IDE2USB adapter
With the IDE2USB you can hook up the HDD to a PC and transfer Original Games to the HDD no matter what region they are.
With the IDE2USB you can hook up the HDD to a PC and transfer Original Games to the HDD no matter what region they are.
PSone, Xbox, PS2, DC, SS Mod Service, PM for details
Re: What should I do with my PS2
Agreed with Jinn but I'll elaborate.
You have the bad one...Wouldn't chance a modchip install on that model...
Simplest solution is OPL through USB...A fair amount of games can be loaded onto a slim from a thumbdrive or USB hard drive enclosure using Open PS2 Loader. The only thing necessary for that is a memory card with FreeMCBoot & OPL on it and a PS2 USB dumping program to make the disc into a format compatable with USB Extreme & OPL. Compatibility is decent but FMVs skip and other problems can arise since it's a USB 1.1 port and doesn't support the speeds necessary for most games to load data at the expected DVD-standard speed. Still, the majority of them will play without noticeable problems. That compatability has just happened recently so don't trust what you read about USB Extreme and Open USB Loader. It's now quite capable,
You could get the HD Pro PS2 slim shell adapter to install a harddrive properly on your slim:
http://www.hd-pro.net/
That still requires a FreeMcBoot & HDLoader memory card and compatable harddrive but will not require a chip.
I have no experience with them, just strongly contemplated doing it myself with my first slim PS2 which has gotten all the other upgrades except that one. No bad reviews about it so it must be awesome, right?
Best Option: Get a Fat PS2 with a broken DVD drive. Try to get one with a network adapter otherwise you're out the $15 for one of those and however much for the harddrive (I found a complete one for $20 at a thrift store and laughed when I saw they used the harddrive for FF11 and nothing else). It'll be dirt cheap. I have a few small (40~100 gig) IDE harddrives around and can send one for cost of shipping. There's problems with using your PS2's dvd drive to dump discs to a harddrive, but they're all eliminated by doing it from your PC so you never actually need the dvd drive in it to work. just get a universal USB-HD cable with a power source included for ~$15 like Jinn suggested (the DX ones are strangely overpriced so try your local computer repair stores first. I bought 2 at $11 CAD last year in Vancouver). That solution should all be under $60 if you did it right.
A note - The last 2 options ignore PS1 compatibility. PS1 games are completely dependent on reading from a disc to put the PS2 into PS1 mode and unless you install a mod chip you're SOL for them. (Okay, I read a procedure on (PSX Scene I think) for using HDLoader to boot a PS1 image, but it was convoluted, complicated and didn't work for me) I'll find the post if you're interested but it's a long shot...
Next option: I don't know the compatibility of swap magic for PS1 games on a PS2 but if you look into it, swap magic is very cheap and doesn't seem to require more than screwdriver skills and timing:
http://www.modchip.ca/store/home.php?cat=269
Many people use this and it's cheap and easy. Not so slick as the others but still perfectly viable. If it does PS1 games too, you're all set.
Despite the previous claim thet you're all set, for PS1 imports I'd mod a PS1 to play them anyway. The mod is cheap and easy to the point that I'd suggest trying to do it yourself despite your eyesight and lack of experience with soldering. The modchips come with 6 colored wires pre-soldered for all models and detailed guides. PS1s can be gotten for around $15 so it's a good investment to mess up and try again while building up your soldering skills. Get some solder wick/desoldering tape to erase your mistakes and a cheap soldering iron. The Soilder Wick is like a pencil eraser - you can make a mess, erase it and try again like it never happened. Make sure your soldering iron is really cheap. That way you're forced to do it slowly. If you buy an expensive one you might put too much heat into the board and start lifting up the contact points and traces. With the cheapest soldering irons everything takes a long time to set so you can relax and get frustrated with the metal not sticking until it's ready to.
A side note - on older model PS1s you can get adapters to connect to the parallel port on the back to play import PS1 games without opening them up (I think Gamesharks had that ability along with multiple other dongles). Thrift stores around my area literally have piles of PS1 machines in stock so if necessary I can probably procure one, and put a mod chip in it at cost (I got some time on my hands, and am right now 9 beers happy so all this modding talk is making me wish I had some modding to do)
You have the bad one...Wouldn't chance a modchip install on that model...
Simplest solution is OPL through USB...A fair amount of games can be loaded onto a slim from a thumbdrive or USB hard drive enclosure using Open PS2 Loader. The only thing necessary for that is a memory card with FreeMCBoot & OPL on it and a PS2 USB dumping program to make the disc into a format compatable with USB Extreme & OPL. Compatibility is decent but FMVs skip and other problems can arise since it's a USB 1.1 port and doesn't support the speeds necessary for most games to load data at the expected DVD-standard speed. Still, the majority of them will play without noticeable problems. That compatability has just happened recently so don't trust what you read about USB Extreme and Open USB Loader. It's now quite capable,
You could get the HD Pro PS2 slim shell adapter to install a harddrive properly on your slim:
http://www.hd-pro.net/
That still requires a FreeMcBoot & HDLoader memory card and compatable harddrive but will not require a chip.
I have no experience with them, just strongly contemplated doing it myself with my first slim PS2 which has gotten all the other upgrades except that one. No bad reviews about it so it must be awesome, right?
Best Option: Get a Fat PS2 with a broken DVD drive. Try to get one with a network adapter otherwise you're out the $15 for one of those and however much for the harddrive (I found a complete one for $20 at a thrift store and laughed when I saw they used the harddrive for FF11 and nothing else). It'll be dirt cheap. I have a few small (40~100 gig) IDE harddrives around and can send one for cost of shipping. There's problems with using your PS2's dvd drive to dump discs to a harddrive, but they're all eliminated by doing it from your PC so you never actually need the dvd drive in it to work. just get a universal USB-HD cable with a power source included for ~$15 like Jinn suggested (the DX ones are strangely overpriced so try your local computer repair stores first. I bought 2 at $11 CAD last year in Vancouver). That solution should all be under $60 if you did it right.
A note - The last 2 options ignore PS1 compatibility. PS1 games are completely dependent on reading from a disc to put the PS2 into PS1 mode and unless you install a mod chip you're SOL for them. (Okay, I read a procedure on (PSX Scene I think) for using HDLoader to boot a PS1 image, but it was convoluted, complicated and didn't work for me) I'll find the post if you're interested but it's a long shot...
Next option: I don't know the compatibility of swap magic for PS1 games on a PS2 but if you look into it, swap magic is very cheap and doesn't seem to require more than screwdriver skills and timing:
http://www.modchip.ca/store/home.php?cat=269
Many people use this and it's cheap and easy. Not so slick as the others but still perfectly viable. If it does PS1 games too, you're all set.
Despite the previous claim thet you're all set, for PS1 imports I'd mod a PS1 to play them anyway. The mod is cheap and easy to the point that I'd suggest trying to do it yourself despite your eyesight and lack of experience with soldering. The modchips come with 6 colored wires pre-soldered for all models and detailed guides. PS1s can be gotten for around $15 so it's a good investment to mess up and try again while building up your soldering skills. Get some solder wick/desoldering tape to erase your mistakes and a cheap soldering iron. The Soilder Wick is like a pencil eraser - you can make a mess, erase it and try again like it never happened. Make sure your soldering iron is really cheap. That way you're forced to do it slowly. If you buy an expensive one you might put too much heat into the board and start lifting up the contact points and traces. With the cheapest soldering irons everything takes a long time to set so you can relax and get frustrated with the metal not sticking until it's ready to.
A side note - on older model PS1s you can get adapters to connect to the parallel port on the back to play import PS1 games without opening them up (I think Gamesharks had that ability along with multiple other dongles). Thrift stores around my area literally have piles of PS1 machines in stock so if necessary I can probably procure one, and put a mod chip in it at cost (I got some time on my hands, and am right now 9 beers happy so all this modding talk is making me wish I had some modding to do)
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noiseredux
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Re: What should I do with my PS2
get a slim PS2. Use the tape and tissue "mod" so that the top flips. Get a FreeMcBoot memory card. This allows you to play import PS1 games. Then buy swap magic. This allows you to play import PS2 games. You're done.
Re: What should I do with my PS2
Anapan - I could've sworn that there is a way to configure FMCB to play PSX backups. I remember when I was first making cards I ran across an app that you could install in addition to FCMB. It was a bit convoluted as well, but it didn't have anything to do with HDL as far as I know. I'll try to find the info, test, and post. Heck.. maybe I can actually be useful on this forum for once and make a guide!
The only problem is, if you're not using the laser you'd need the HDL method.
The only problem is, if you're not using the laser you'd need the HDL method.
[ XBL: downedcity | PSN: biggry | Steam: Merchandise ]
Black Lodge Amplification: http://blacklodgeamps.tumblr.com/
Black Lodge Amplification: http://blacklodgeamps.tumblr.com/
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noiseredux
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Re: What should I do with my PS2
there is a way to do this. I do it now. It's easy.fvgazi wrote:Anapan - I could've sworn that there is a way to configure FMCB to play PSX backups. I remember when I was first making cards I ran across an app that you could install in addition to FCMB. It was a bit convoluted as well, but it didn't have anything to do with HDL as far as I know. I'll try to find the info, test, and post. Heck.. maybe I can actually be useful on this forum for once and make a guide!
1. set ulaunchelf to automatically load by holding down R1. Turn Disc Control off in ulaunchelf. Set disc to load by pressing TRIANGLE.
2. pop in official PS1 disc.
3. Turn on system while holding down R1 (disc spins, then ulaunchelf loads)
4. use swaptrick/etc to put in PS1 backup or import
5. close lid and press TRIANGLE
backup/import loads!
Re: What should I do with my PS2
Get a Fat PS2 with HDAvance/HDLoader and a Flip Top. The slim USB route too slow.
Convenience of having your games installed and loading fast off the Internal hard drive. Once the games are installed, they can be safely stored away, leaving less risk of damage or clutter in your gaming room. When you decide to play a certain game, no need of hunting the DVD case, its on the hard drive loaded off a convenient menu.
For PS1 games I have a separate PSX console, saves unnecessary mileage on the PS2 laser.
Convenience of having your games installed and loading fast off the Internal hard drive. Once the games are installed, they can be safely stored away, leaving less risk of damage or clutter in your gaming room. When you decide to play a certain game, no need of hunting the DVD case, its on the hard drive loaded off a convenient menu.
For PS1 games I have a separate PSX console, saves unnecessary mileage on the PS2 laser.
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CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
CRTGAMER Guides in Board Guides Index: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p1109425
Re: What should I do with my PS2
I've always just used a seperate psx to play games as well. CRT, do you know if there are any s-video or better mods for the psx?
[ XBL: downedcity | PSN: biggry | Steam: Merchandise ]
Black Lodge Amplification: http://blacklodgeamps.tumblr.com/
Black Lodge Amplification: http://blacklodgeamps.tumblr.com/
Re: What should I do with my PS2
PSX out of the box supports SVideo.fvgazi wrote:I've always just used a seperate psx to play games as well. CRT, do you know if there are any s-video or better mods for the psx?
http://www.gamestop.com/ps2/accessories ... able/15287
CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
CRTGAMER Guides in Board Guides Index: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p1109425
Re: What should I do with my PS2
Does anyone know of a place that sells fat PS2's with the flip top installed already?
Wouldn't it still be cheaper to chip the fat one and use HDadvance than to use the fliptop?
Wouldn't it still be cheaper to chip the fat one and use HDadvance than to use the fliptop?