Japanese vs. Korean Imports?

[rcgrant]

I'm planning on ordering a Japanese PS2 from Play Asia soon. While I've been looking at the games they have, I've noticed that they sometimes carry both Japanese and Korean versions, with the latter usually being significantly cheaper. How are they different? I've read that the resale value for the Korean versions is less, and that they won't play with Swap Magic or similar systems, but I'm not concerned with either of those shortcomigs. Are there any other reasons why I shouldn't just buy Korean versions?

[SAM]

Sometimes you won't got the features like BB Vs., High Scores Board, etc. which is included in the Japanese version.

[rcgrant]

You mean features that will allow posting of scores on a web page?

[Cthulhu]

First-pressing bonus items are also often Japan-version exclusive. If you're not ordering a brand-new title, however, that isn't an issue. I have several Asian edition games and they all work just fine - none of them are missing anything. Just be warned that the resale value really is significantly lower in some cases.

[captain ahar]

^ my korean XII stag will testify to this

[visuatrox]

I only buy Japanese versions, but that is primarly only because I'm a collector and packaging whore. Sometimes the covers are different for the Korean version (usually for the worse), and also the manuals often look cheaper (less coloured pages etc..)..

But if only taking the game itself into consideration, then go ahead and buy Korean and Asian versions, they are often identical and most online features would not work outside Japan anyway.

[professor ganson]

I recently bought the Korean version of Giga Wing Generations and saved at least $15. I don't plan ever to sell it, so I don't care about the reduced resale value. The game plays great, so I'm quite happy.

[pixelcorps]

my korean katamari damacy and gradius V are are exactly the same as the japanese versions, except, obviously the language content

[Naiera]

Buying Asian games is good if you don't have to have Japanese versions, unless of course you shop with Lik Sang where they usually only stock Asian games and charge as much, or more, than Play Asia does for the Japanese versions!