Is a J-PS2 good for all types of shmuppers?

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:08 pm

That's what I'm wondering.

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:09 pm

Homura?

Post by **spadgy** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:39 pm

The new Fantasy Zone Complete Collection on the Sega Ages imprint?

The Star Soldier remake for PS2 isn't too manic...

Homura got a PAL release. Nothing for Americaland?

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:47 pm

spadgy wrote:The new Fantasy Zone Complete Collection on the Sega Ages imprint?

The Star Soldier remake for PS2 isn't too manic...

Homura got a PAL release. Nothing for Americaland?

Nope. Unfortunately not.

Well I may as well come out with it, I'm considering getting a J-PS2, but without playing them, I don't know how much I'd enjoy games like EspGaluda, or Homura, or Mushihimesama, or the Psyvariar series. I don't even know what the control scheme is like for any of these games-for example, the "dashing" in Homura. I do like Strikers 1945 I and II, and I have played DDPDOJ and did enjoy blasting the crap out of everything, even if I wasn't chaining.

So perhaps the system would be worth it, for a Christmas gift. My TV won't tate, though.

lgb · Post by **lgb** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:48 pm

does silpheed happen to have analog control?

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:04 am

If you have a u.s. ps2 getting a swap magic would be a cheaper route, if money is the issue. Plus those import ps2 shmups hover around the same value so if you absolutely h8 them, you can re-sell them here.

I mean, it'd be great and all to have a jpn ps2 (even better to have a chipped ps2) but I went the swap magic route and it gives you the option of titles that made it over here, here as in the U.S. (non bullet hell) like GV, Raiden III, r-type final etc etc and when you do want to play the imports you just pop in the swap magic disc.
I also play some u.s. PS1 shmup titles.

I guess it depends on if you have the patience to tinker with your system initially to set it up. Everytime after that to load an import you just have to wait like 5 seconds for the swapdisc to load, then you put in your game. Works for me anyway.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:21 am

Unfortunately, with my model of slim, it involves more tinkering then I'd like to get involved in. And this is a gift, so my folks would be willing to get me the system.

So, what do you guys think? Like I said, I've never played any of those Cave shmups (except DDPDOJ), or any of the games in the Psyvariar series. They do look appealing.

ChurchOfSolipsism · Post by **ChurchOfSolipsism** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:23 am

I'd recommend getting a used PS2 for cheap and buying a MOD-chip (or getting somebody to install that MOD chip for you), this way you can play everything and I bet it's easier and probably cheaper than getting a Japanese PS2.

Lemme see if I can find the name of the company that can tune your PS2... it's based in Germany and getting the MODBO chip installed costs 50 Euros (including the chip)....

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:26 am

Yeah I have a slim too and it wasn't too bad, imo.

If it's a gift, then why not

. If you liked DDPDOJ I'm pretty sure you'd be into Cave's other titles. Espgaluda is a winner in most people's books.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:40 am

Considering that you'll also have access to the PS1's library (which includes several old-school compilations and such) I think it's a safe bet for most shmuppers to invest in. As for the "new-school" shmups you mentioned, once you get a grip on how they work they're generally not as complicated as they sound, not to mention that many can be played "for survival" until you figure out how to score. In short, I don't regret springing for my JPS2 for a second.

brokenhalo · Post by **brokenhalo** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:56 am

dave4shmups wrote:Unfortunately, with my model of slim, it involves more tinkering then I'd like to get involved in.

what model of slim do you have? i put a flip top on my slim for swap-magic and it took all of 5 minutes to take the case apart and switch the door.

but swapping discs gets old fast. i got a good deal on a j-ps2 on another forum, so now i've got 2. there's actually a j-slim on the trading forum here right now for $160.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:27 am

BulletMagnet wrote:Considering that you'll also have access to the PS1's library (which includes several old-school compilations and such) I think it's a safe bet for most shmuppers to invest in. As for the "new-school" shmups you mentioned, once you get a grip on how they work they're generally not as complicated as they sound, not to mention that many can be played "for survival" until you figure out how to score. In short, I don't regret springing for my JPS2 for a second.

Very good points. I do worry about the SCPH-90000 model over-heating, but I haven't heard reports of that. I wonder how the heck you turn it on and plug it in, since the power brick's internal.

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:38 am

It most likely has a brick-less cord that you connect to the outlet.

Kaspal · Post by **Kaspal** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:04 am

i have a chiped American PS2 Slim, and it runs all of the cave games flawlessly... so i think the mod-chip route is a safe bet, if oyu get someone that can do it for you (if you're not willing to doit yourself.)

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:58 am

I don't see how you can be a shooter fan and have your fix without access to import PS2 games. Not unless you give the home ports the middle finger and go PCB.

You are missing out on some great stuff.

Post by **spadgy** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:39 am

I simply love my J-NTSC PS2. I know this isn't a wholly widespread opinion, but I enjoy it as much as my JPN Saturn and Dreamcast. Getting a very near to complete shmup collection for it has been very affordable relative to the Saturn and DC.

EDIT: The below paragraph is only really relevant if you're looking to save cash. Otherwise go for J-NTSC without doubt.

However, a surprising number of 'JPN-only' STGs that aren't out in the US have made PAL releases (Some poor, most very reasonable or good) at a far cheaper price than the JPN conterpart. For example Pysvariar Complete, Homura, Gunbird 1 and 2, Samurai Aces + Tengai (The Sengoku games), Gigawing Generations, Double Shienryu, Sol Divide, Dragon Blaze - all available on PAL for $10 or just over.

Therefore, sorting a multi-region PS2 keeps your options open and could save money very quickly.

gs68 · Post by **gs68** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:29 pm

7 years ago, when I wanted Beatmania IIDX, I decided to just get a JPS2 instead of risking my current with a modchip.

No having to worry about modchip protection + being able to play Region 2 DVDs = <3

bitkid · Post by **bitkid** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:54 am

I just went and bought a brand new Slim PS2 and got myself a set of the latest Swap Magic Coder discs and I'm good to go. Playing imports is easy, playing backups is easy...I bought a modchip before I got the Swap Magic but I quickly realized that the solder job was something I would probably screw up. The contacts in the slim PS2s are VERY small and I'm just not experienced enough with soldering to do it.

beam · Post by **beam** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:45 am

Are the Swap Magic Coder discs region coded ? ie any SMC work on any ps 2 or should I get a japanese disc for a J-NTSC ps two (in order to play some us games) ?
I always thought it was the case.

Frederik · Post by **Frederik** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:00 pm

Forget that swap disc /mod chip / importing nonsense already. This is all you need and you don´t need to void your warranty or strain your hardware in any way anymore.
http://www.mementoteam.com/index.html

beam · Post by **beam** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:04 pm

It seems the memento card is dead (no more development, no support) and there's no 100% compatibility. Am I wrong ?

Frederik · Post by **Frederik** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:15 pm

Well, the Cave games work, which was all that mattered for me when I was about to choose between the region-modding methods. You´ll have to make a backup of your game disc and patch it to run, though. But I think that this is a rather small hassle. And for 50 bucks for the Memor32 card it was worth a try

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:45 pm

Swapmagic is like 30 bucks, and making a softmod with a regular memcard is free

Zweihander · Post by **Zweihander** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:46 pm

FrederikJurk wrote:Forget that swap disc /mod chip / importing nonsense already. This is all you need and you don´t need to void your warranty or strain your hardware in any way anymore.
http://www.mementoteam.com/index.html

In before deletion.

Never_Scurred · Post by **Never_Scurred** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:22 pm

+50 for swap magic.
Don't even get those keys that they try to sell you. Swap magic + tissue/tape mod=no restrictions.
I don't even understand the hassle of trying to go the mod chip route. For what? And for those people (still) saying that SM puts strain on the ps2, come the fuck on now. You put strain on your system anytime you play a game so how the hell is using swap magic anymore worse? And besides, ps2's go for like chump change nowadays and by the time the thing even starts to show signs of wear, you probably won't even care. I've been using SM with my slim for 3 years now and my ps2 still runs like normal.

Frederik · Post by **Frederik** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:09 pm

Zweihander wrote:
FrederikJurk wrote:Forget that swap disc /mod chip / importing nonsense already. This is all you need and you don´t need to void your warranty or strain your hardware in any way anymore.
http://www.mementoteam.com/index.html
In before deletion.

...says the guy bragging how he´s pirating DS games with his R4

Besides, the link leads to a software with the exact same functionality as a modchip or a swapdisc. Yes, you can use it for illegal purposes, but same goes for CD-R discs, internet connections and rolling paper. I don´t see why this should be deleted and the rest of the modding talk not.

Post by **Icarus** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:41 pm

In before custom firmware.

Zweihander · Post by **Zweihander** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:57 pm

FrederikJurk wrote:
Zweihander wrote:
FrederikJurk wrote:Forget that swap disc /mod chip / importing nonsense already. This is all you need and you don´t need to void your warranty or strain your hardware in any way anymore.
http://www.mementoteam.com/index.html
In before deletion.
...says the guy bragging how he´s pirating DS games with his R4

Besides, the link leads to a software with the exact same functionality as a modchip or a swapdisc. Yes, you can use it for illegal purposes, but same goes for CD-R discs, internet connections and rolling paper. I don´t see why this should be deleted and the rest of the modding talk not.

Pot, kettle, black, etc.

Frederik · Post by **Frederik** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:34 pm

Zweihander wrote:Pot, kettle, black, etc.

Yeah, right. Whatever.

lgb · Post by **lgb** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:31 pm

Zweihander wrote:Pot, kettle, black, etc.

what