PS2 Import questions

[steveovig]

It seems like every year I come here to start a topic just like this. Last year with my questions on PSX imports. Anyway, this Christmas I'm thinking about buying a JAP PS2 so I can finally play all the imports I've been missing out on (King of Colusseum and both Taito comps. to be specific). Play-Asia has them for a decent price and want to buy one but I do have a few questions.

1...Is there a difference between the Asian and Japanese versions of the console which are both listed at PA.com?

2...Can I use US Mem. Cards on an import system?

3...I'm assuming there are no extra cords or anything to buy in order to hook it up properly, right? The TV signal is NTSC so I'm good there. What about the power supply?

4...Lastly, can anyone point me in the direction of some good sites with import PS2 reviews on them?

Thanks for any and all help.

[captain ahar]

i have an asian ps2. only difference is the region of DVD playback. us is 1, japan is 2, asia is 3.

us memory cards will work. been using mine for both of my systems (NTSC u and j) for around 1.5 years at least.

you won't need any new cords.

not sure about the reviews thing. only place i can think offhand is ntsc.uk

[Kiken]

1...Is there a difference between the Asian and Japanese versions of the console which are both listed at PA.com?

Asian PS2s and Japanese PS2s are both NTSC-J when it comes to software region, however Asian PS2s are DVD Region 3 while Japanese PS2s are DVD Region 2.

2...Can I use US Mem. Cards on an import system?

Yes. You can have any region save file on any region card.

3...I'm assuming there are no extra cords or anything to buy in order to hook it up properly, right? The TV signal is NTSC so I'm good there. What about the power supply?

The Japanese use a very comparable voltage to the US. You don't need to purchase a stepdown convertor. Just plug the system in and play.

And yes, both US and Japan (and Asia in this case) use NTSC video signals.

4...Lastly, can anyone point me in the direction of some good sites with import PS2 reviews on them?

Thanks for any and all help.

Reviews of the hardware specifically, or the software available for them?

[steveovig]

^^^Just software reviews is fine

[SAM]

1...Is there a difference between the Asian and Japanese versions of the console which are both listed at PA.com?

Asian PS2s and Japanese PS2s are both NTSC-J when it comes to software region, however Asian PS2s are DVD Region 3 while Japanese PS2s are DVD Region 2.

I got more to added to this: Asian PS2s run at 220V instead of 110V. But the new slim Asian PS2 transformer seems able to do 110~220V. (When I get home I would check this) But the old non-slim Asian PS2 definately only works at 220V.

2...Can I use US Mem. Cards on an import system?

Yes. You can have any region save file on any region card.

Unlike the GameCube, you can keep both US and Japanese games' save files on the same MEM card.

You could move and store PS1 save files on it too, but when running PS1 games cannot retrieve the save files from a PS2 MEM card.... Well at least you could backup your PS1 save files on PS2 MEM card, and a single PS2 MEM cards can stored 800 blocks of PS1 save files. i.e. 1 PS2 Mem Card = 80 PS1 Mem Card.

3...I'm assuming there are no extra cords or anything to buy in order to hook it up properly, right? The TV signal is NTSC so I'm good there. What about the power supply?

The Japanese use a very comparable voltage to the US. You don't need to purchase a stepdown convertor. Just plug the system in and play.

And yes, both US and Japan (and Asia in this case) use NTSC video signals.

See my answer for Question 1 (Asian PS2 run at 220V).

4...Lastly, can anyone point me in the direction of some good sites with import PS2 reviews on them?

Thanks for any and all help.

Reviews of the hardware specifically, or the software available for them?

I pass on this question. (I wish I know too.)