How to Play PAL/NTSC-J on USA PS2 Slim SCPH 77001?

[EmperorIng]

I have some questions concerning playing imports on my PS2 slim, model schp 77001:

1) I have heard from some sources (whilst searching) that the PS2 does not actively region-lock games (DVDs another story), and that the only issue is with the TV is the signal difference between regions. If you have a Sony tv (like my CRT Wega Trinitron) this is not an issue and your games will play fine. Sounds too good to be true - is it?

2) Failing #1, what is the recommended method of playing imports? Free McBoot? Swap Magic? Going out and buying a modchip? The easiest method is always preferred!

3) Does the difference between PAL and NTSC signals make a large difference in PAL-released shmups in terms of playability, lag, etc?

Thank you for any and all responses.

[fagin]

1) Who told you this!?

2) For a totally stress free and flexible solution, I would say that ultimately a modchip is the best route - after it's been fitted that is. Free McBoot and/or using an Action Replay MAX, are probably the second best options and are at least easy to do yourself.

3) You'll really want to stick with NTSC (US or Japan) based software tbh. You'll get the exclusives (especially on the SHMUP stuff) and everything will be fullspeed. Quite a few of the PAL releases had the 60hz option, but since I don't collect PAL games, I can't tell you if this is a general option on the PAL SHMUPS releases.

[shmuppyLove]

I think I remember being able to patch PAL games to run on an NTSC console ... I think it was Rez? Never tried any others, but it did work.

[fagin]

I think I remember being able to patch PAL games to run on an NTSC console ... I think it was Rez? Never tried any others, but it did work.

And how did you manage to run the iso then?!

You can't just take an iso, patch it and then load it on a totally unmodded PS2.

[shmuppyLove]

I think I remember being able to patch PAL games to run on an NTSC console ... I think it was Rez? Never tried any others, but it did work.

And how did you manage to run the iso then?!

You can't just take an iso, patch it and then load it on a totally unmodded PS2.

Yes that's true ... my phat PS2 has a chip so that's how.

Maybe some combo of Open PS2 Loader with the MCFreeBoot and a PAL->NTSC patch?

[Ghegs]

Just a reminder that while "how to play import games on my PS2" is a good, valid question in itself, the Forum Rules have clear stipulations on how to actually go about it. So no discussion about where to get modchips or other such devices.

[EmperorIng]

Alright, I'm sorry about that; I forgot that stipulation in the rule topic.

I'll look elsewhere!

[EmperorIng]

So I know my PS2 is a SCPH-77001 (now that I've finally gotten to the thing and checked), so my questions still stands:

1) is a modchip still the best way to go about playing imports on my PS2?

2) would a softmod such as FreeMcBootDisc allow the playing of imports? I've heard mixed things, either that it can only play backups, or that it can, indeed make your PS2 play imports.

3) failing #2, are there any installation guides out there? If you are not allowed to post these, don't feel obligated to!

[shmuppyLove]

Softmod alone won't allow you to play backups. You need to use a loader with a patched game.

I believe it will let you play original games from different regions though. But I've never tried.

[EmperorIng]

I'm not particularly concerned with playing back-ups - as with my Saturn, owning the actual game itself is more than adequate. I actually have recently acquired a small collection of PAL shmups - Psyvariar: Complete, XII Stag, Strikers 1945 1 and 2, Gunbird 1 and 2, and Steel Dragon EX. The 50hz is not an issue for most of these games, because as I understand it, having a Sony CRT (which I do) allows you to bypass some of the problems inherent in the difference between region refresh-rates.

My question is "Can you play non-US-region games on a PS2 Slim (7700x series) without hard-modding the console?"

And if so, does the soft-modding require Swap Magic (and buying the top-loader shebang with it)? Or can it be done without even that?

[ZellSF]

You can't directly play imports, you'll have to rip them to iso, patch them and burn them again to DVDR. If it's a CD game you have to convert it to a DVD game.

If you don't mind long loading times and choppy FMVs, there's also the option of playing games from USB or a networked computer.

free mcboot install options are all covered at the official site (except using a PS3 memory card reader), go there if you want other options than swapmagic.

because as I understand it, having a Sony CRT (which I do) allows you to bypass some of the problems inherent in the difference between region refresh-rates.

There's no way a TV can deal with slowed down games or dropped frames. A TV can't speed up time, or display images that were never sent to it.

The only thing it can deal with is improper aspect ratio, my crappy CRT does this and it looks nowhere near as good as a native 60hz signal.

So really, get US/Japanese versions of games where possible, if they're very expensive check if the European release has a 60hz option.

[EmperorIng]

I suppose then chipping the PS2 is the way to go.

I also suppose I was mistaken as far as Sony Wega Trinitrons go (I thought I heard that they could display at both 60 and 50hz). Would a PAL converter box be the solution?

It's a good thing half my bundle displays at 60hz.

[gray117]

I also suppose I was mistaken as far as Sony Wega Trinitrons go (I thought I heard that they could display at both 60 and 50hz).

Which model tv is it exactly?

PAL conversions can work in several ways - in the bad old days, ps1 and before, this could mean squashing the picture and/or slowing the whole game down. However, I believe most ps2 solutions did offer more sophistication - filling frame at correct ratio and retaining game speed - just changing the picture refresh rate. As mentioned, most came with 60hz option - most euro tvs supported NTSC and 'PAL60' by then as well as 50hz.

[EmperorIng]

I can't find a specific model number, though it is indeed a Sony Wega Trinitron CRT. I got it from an estate sale of an elderly lady (for $5 holla holla), so my dating would put it around mid- to late-90s.

[ZellSF]

PAL conversions can work in several ways - in the bad old days, ps1 and before, this could mean squashing the picture and/or slowing the whole game down. However, I believe most ps2 solutions did offer more sophistication - filling frame at correct ratio and retaining game speed - just changing the picture refresh rate. As mentioned, most came with 60hz option - most euro tvs supported NTSC and 'PAL60' by then as well as 50hz.

What? No, while many games had the proper aspect ratio, it's far from most, and those that got that right sometimes suffered from frame skipping or slowdown. 60hz definitely wasn't an option in most games (a selection of a GameFAQs user put it at about 30%).

Buying a European release and expecting it to be good has a *very* good chance of ending with disappointment. I would at the very least do a quick Google search first (unnecessary for Square titles, they're all terrible).

I also suppose I was mistaken as far as Sony Wega Trinitrons go (I thought I heard that they could display at both 60 and 50hz)

Not sure if you got this, but the problem isn't whether or not your TV can display 50hz, it's that 50hz versions of games are generally awful.

Would a PAL converter box be the solution?

To what problem? How much would it cost you to buy Japan releases of those shared Europe/Japan exclusives you really want? And wait until you get a modchip with buying more stuff: they often have options for forcing refresh rates and color modes.


And sorry, Europeans are so consistently screwed over when it comes to gaming, many of us have a very hard time understanding why anyone would want to import anything from here.

Was looking for this yesterday, but couldn't find it. <-- interesting information on European shmup releases.

[speedlolita]

Just avoid PAL like the plague as I do.

[EmperorIng]

Thanks for the information, ZellSF. I'm glad that of the shmups I got in that PAL pack, Psyvariar, XII Stag, and Gunbird Special all have 60hz options - which were really the three I was interested in the most.

I know that I should stick to Japan for convenience's sake, but sometimes, the cost of a PAL shmup is far lower than that of a Japan one, at least on ebay (see: Dragon Blaze). Unless people around here don't mind selling at a loss : /

I haven't bought anything yet outside of the PAL 5-pack I acquired. I'm waiting on getting another paycheck next week to buy a modchip and get everything ready to get my console modded.