Keep fat u.s. Ps2/ swap magic or get slim jap ps2 console?

[2dvertical]

As the title says. My na ps2 shooters look great on my fat ps3 but tired of swap magic and some games wont work with it like espgaluda on my fat ps2 na. Also, is there a certain version/model number i should get? Secondly, is there an advantage/disadvantage to getting a fat over the slim? All i can find on net is the slim is quieter and lacks hdd. Is it true all i would need to get as far as components is a new power cord in both the fat/slim jap console and all other NA peripherals/ cables will work?

[DoomsDave]

I don't really understand what you're asking but my advice is if you're trying to run retail copies get a JPN PS2 but if you're trying to run backups it would probably be cheaper to get someone to send you a memory card with fmcb on it.

[Mero]

All peripherals will work, got a JP slim.

[vol.2]

As the title says. My na ps2 shooters look great on my fat ps3 but tired of swap magic and some games wont work with it like espgaluda on my fat ps2 na. Also, is there a certain version/model number i should get? Secondly, is there an advantage/disadvantage to getting a fat over the slim? All i can find on net is the slim is quieter and lacks hdd. Is it true all i would need to get as far as components is a new power cord in both the fat/slim jap console and all other NA peripherals/ cables will work?

I have free mcboot and a HDD in my ps2. It can run exports off the HDD. No sweat. Alternative is to patch burned copies, but that is more work up front.
I believe the quality of earlier ps2s is better, but I'm positive that later ps2s had patched firmware to prevent hacking and known exploits.
I will stick with my fatty.

[2dvertical]

My objective is to run retail discs not burned etc..

vol2; can you elaborate this free mcboot on hdd?

[Pixel_Outlaw]

There are two types of games you need to know about.
Some are on DVDs and some are on CD.
Are you looking at the color of the disk's bottom to select the right swap magic disk (you should have 2 swap magic disks)?

I've heard that Swap Magic is hard on the PS2 but I'm not sure what the logic is behind it.
If that is the case maybe your ps2 is having trouble reading CD type games or DVD type games from it.
I'm not sure if it is hard on the laser eye or not. It is not laid out like a normal disk though.

Looks like version 3.8 of swap magic has compatibility issues with formerly supported games.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swap_Magic

Mine is the second version and required a special case that lets me open the lid while it is running.

[copy-paster]

the slim is quieter and lacks hdd. Is it true

You can add HDD external on slim through usb devices, it works same as fat iirc.

My recommend is stick with fat or get the JP fat, slim isn't good for a longer play.

[FinalBaton]

I looked into that as well for playing JP retail copies and I ended up getting a JP fat ps2.

I bought it on Yahoo Auction Japan (or was it Rakuten?) for 4800 Yen. Of course there were shipping fees but it still was cheaper than buying one on Ebay.

I was the only bidder on my unit, which was a rarer-ish model (Aqua blue) with 2 controllers and all the hookups. So it looks like the demand for them is not crazy yet.

[vol.2]

My objective is to run retail discs not burned etc..

vol2; can you elaborate this free mcboot on hdd?

Go to the psx scene website. There is a program called ESR which usually comes with free mcboot packages. Free mcboot is a soft mod that typically lives on a memory card. You get it on a memory card by disc swapping from certain games(from Russia with Love works), and then loading it from a memory stick. It only works 100% on like two thirds of the fat models, I believe like 3500 and below or something. Sony patched the firmware on later SKUs and it patched holes that some mcboot programs rely on to function. There is chart out there that will tell you what will work on what ps2 revision. You'll have to do homework for this. You then have to get a network adapter and a compatible hard drive. You can only load other region games from the hdd with ESR. It works though. I set mine up in 2011, and it's still fine today. It even allows you play any region DVD through a program called mcloader which is a separate download. Also, Pal games will not run unless your display is pal compatible and vice versa for NTSC. Is just allows output, it won't do scan conversion for you. You need a hardware solution for that.

If you want to use the actual discs, then this won't work for you. Also, it can be tricky to do the initial disc swap because you have to pin point a moment in a game demo that is loading and put the swap disc in before the ps2 quits trying to load the next screen. Took me about a dozen or so tries.

[2dvertical]

Ya i have second version of swap magic. I tried a na dvd disc and error as well so i figured dirty lens, opened it up and cleaned it and all is gravy now. I guess having that face plate off for the slude tool lets more dust in i suppose.

I still might go with a ps2 j, althought the fats r expensive vs the slims!


I looked into the mcboot thing, seems more like a play burned disc thing...

[vol.2]

Ya i have second version of swap magic. I tried a na dvd disc and error as well so i figured dirty lens, opened it up and cleaned it and all is gravy now. I guess having that face plate off for the slude tool lets more dust in i suppose.

I still might go with a ps2 j, althought the fats r expensive vs the slims!


I looked into the mcboot thing, seems more like a play burned disc thing...

As I said, ESR plays from a hard drive. (Hdd) It doesn't play burned discs unless they are patched.