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[psylah]

There were a few japanese-only PS2 releases I was thinking about playing, and being a collector of consoles, I thought about buying an NTSC-J PS2 of some sort.

I had a PS2 phat which was my original, which died, so I considered getting a japanese PS2 phat, but do those suffer from the same failure rates? It would be a risky proposition for such an old console at this point.

I could also get a PS2 slim, which comes in funky colors, but my current PS2 is a slim, so as a showpiece it would be less interesting (besides my choice of color).

The most difficult decision, though, is whether or not to get the PSX. As a rarity, it would be amazing to slip this into my collection, but I've seen so many broken units on ebay, and the working ones are so expensive, that I could buy a broken one for display on the cheap AND get a reliable japanese PS2 slim. The drawbacks to this thing are that it has a failure rate not unlike that of the original PS2 phats, the controller ports are on the BACK of the console, and it's nearly twice the size of the OG PS2, but goddamn, how awesome would it be to boot this bad boy up?


What say you, GAF? What PS2 would you buy for a collection?

 

[Terbinator]

PSX is the only choice.

 

[disappeared]

If you can afford a PSX, go for it. But consider a slim-model PS2. They're things of beauty.

 

[bjork]

I would buy back the Sakura Spring PS2 I sold here on GAF. I miss that thing every day almost, and the dildos on ebay graded them and they're insane. $2200 for a ps2, I think not.

After that, probably anything that's a new unit, if that's even possible without breaking the bank.

 

[Vashetti]

With the OG PS2, couldn't you LEGALLY rip your game discs and install some software to run them on an HDD inside it?

It's supposed to cut down loading times significantly.

 

[Mr-Joker]

From what I have found is that Japanese PS2 are rising in price, which put me off from importing it. Now I have a Japanese PS2 game and I can't play it.

 

[hardcastlemccormick]

With the OG PS2, couldn't you LEGALLY rip your game discs and install some software to run them on an HDD inside it?

It's supposed to cut down loading times significantly.

You might be able to play the games region free using OPL, but load times aren't cut down as much as you would think.

 

[psylah]

With the OG PS2, couldn't you LEGALLY rip your game discs and install some software to run them on an HDD inside it?

It's supposed to cut down loading times significantly.

I don't think ripping anything from a DVD is legal. bypassing any form of copyright protection is considered a violation of DMCA. Maybe it's different for PS2 games, but I remember this was the case for movies on DVD and using DeCSS.

There's got to be SOME form of copyright protection on PS2 games, right?

 

[baphomet]

I don't think ripping anything from a DVD is legal. bypassing any form of copyright protection is considered a violation of DMCA. Maybe it's different for PS2 games, but I remember this was the case for movies on DVD and using DeCSS.

There's got to be SOME form of copyright protection on PS2 games, right?

None at all.

 

[psylah]

None at all.

Wow. Honestly, a surprise to me.

I'm no pirate, so I don't know these things.

 

[hardcastlemccormick]

I don't think ripping anything from a DVD is legal. bypassing any form of copyright protection is considered a violation of DMCA. Maybe it's different for PS2 games, but I remember this was the case for movies on DVD and using DeCSS.

There's got to be SOME form of copyright protection on PS2 games, right?

If you just rip the game to a hard drive and use the right software, it's just a format shift, which has always been legal. The disc's contents have not been changed.

Wow. Honestly, a surprise to me.

I'm no pirate, so I don't know these things.

I'm not a pirate either, but I have the ability to use Google.

(Well, and I've backed up my games legally. But you know, whatever, dirty pirate knowledge)

 

[Danchi]

Take a look at Yamatoku Classic listings on eBay. They're always listing items and PS2 consoles aren't uncommon. You can get a slim model shipped to the UK for £30.

I believe there is a certain slim model (i.e. serial number) that doesn't play 100% (still plays 99%) of games, though. I've read one of the PS2 Earth Defense Force games doesn't work for some reason.

 

[psylah]

If you just rip the game to a hard drive and use the right software, it's just a format shift, which has always been legal. The disc's contents have not been changed.



I'm not a pirate either, but I have the ability to use Google.

(Well, and I've backed up my games legally. But you know, whatever, dirty pirate knowledge)

I didn't mean to imply that you were a pirate, but since the early emulation days I've associated taking a game and dumping it to a file with the ROMs and warez scene. I didn't want to get involved so I turned a blind eye.

Take a look at Yamatoku Classic listings on eBay. They're always listing items and PS2 consoles aren't uncommon. You can get a slim model shipped to the UK for £30.

Thanks, I'll follow this seller.

PSX is the only choice.

I knew it in my heart to be true.

 

[ponpo]

PSX failrue rate is disgusting IIRC. I wouldn't get one if I were you. I bought a Japanese PS2 Slim in store recently and the slims cost more than the PSX models did!

 

[Maintenance]

I would pick the PSX. Those blocky curves are so damn sexy.

Spoiler

Yes, I read what I wrote.

Edit:

PSX failrue rate is disgusting IIRC. I wouldn't get one if I were you. I bought a Japanese PS2 Slim in store recently and the slims cost more than the PSX models did!

Well now that's reassuring.

 

[ponpo]

I would pick the PSX. Those blocky curves are so damn sexy.

Spoiler

Yes, I read what I wrote.

Edit:

Well now that's reassuring.

Haha well I agree, it's an attractive system, but I don't think it's worth it. Probably 90% of the ones I've seen in person have been labeled as junk / for parts.

 

[psylah]

PSX failrue rate is disgusting IIRC. I wouldn't get one if I were you. I bought a Japanese PS2 Slim in store recently and the slims cost more than the PSX models did!

Yeah, that's why I thought I could get a working japanese PS2 broken PSX from that Korean seller on eBay for display. If anyone asks for me to boot it up I'll just tell them I'd love to, but I'd need a 220v step-up transformer.

 

[ThatsMytrunks]

Personally, I've always wanted this one.

 

[bjork]

^ that's one of the Automobile Editions, right? I remember finding out about them on Sony's site not long after they all sold out. Yellow and blue were especially cool.

 

[soxinthebox]

PSX because it looks badass.

 

[Jinko]

PSX cause its sexy, I've always been a fan of the OG PS2 though.

Although considering their age now you may probably wana stay clear of them in case of drive issues.

 

[luka]

This is my PS2, the SCPH-90000. It's the second iteration of the slim but it's even lighter than the first one as it has an internal power supply. It also has the best backwards compatibility and properly plays a few PSX games that have issues on the other models, most notably it runs the black hole stage in Gradius Gaiden without slowdown.

Also Gradius Gaiden is totally awesome and I hope that's one of the games you're interested in.

 

[sixteen-bit]

White slim hell yeah.

 

[Augemitbutter]

This is my PS2, the SCPH-90000. It's the second iteration of the slim but it's even lighter than the first one as it has an internal power supply. It also has the best backwards compatibility and properly plays a few PSX games that have issues on the other models, most notably it runs the black hole stage in Gradius Gaiden without slowdown.

Also Gradius Gaiden is totally awesome and I hope that's one of the games you're interested in.

didn't know about this. awesome.

 

[PrimeSauce]

I would recommend putting freemcboot on a memory card, then playing your legally obtained Japanese games on opl (is esr region free as well?)
Edit: yes, esr is apparently region free. But you're going to want to use gs mode selector if you go that route. If you want to go OPL route you can get one with gsm built in

 

[BocoDragon]

This is my PS2, the SCPH-90000. It's the second iteration of the slim but it's even lighter than the first one as it has an internal power supply. It also has the best backwards compatibility and properly plays a few PSX games that have issues on the other models, most notably it runs the black hole stage in Gradius Gaiden without slowdown.

Also Gradius Gaiden is totally awesome and I hope that's one of the games you're interested in.

I almost posted about the slowdown in Gradius Gaiden myself!

My PS2 slim is the first model and doesn't have the slowdown in that level either. I think with both the slims they switched to partial software emulation of a few of the PS1's chips... and it actually improved compatibility.

And yes Gradius Gaiden is awesome. Everyone should be interested in it!

 

[atomsk]

With the OG PS2, couldn't you LEGALLY rip your game discs and install some software to run them on an HDD inside it?

It's supposed to cut down loading times significantly.

You'll run into the occasional game that doesn't work without the actual hardware.

Mojib Ribbon, for example.

For playing imports, you need an IDE USB hookup, because you have to rip the DVD from your PC drive, imports won't rip direct to the PS2

This is how I played EDF1/2

 

[freshVeggie]

Why did you post a pic of your PS4... wait, oh neat.

 

[InfiniteCombo]

I have two Japanese import PS2s. A slim white one (not CIB, unfortunately, but I got it for cheap!), and the "Zen Black" model, CIB, in pretty damn great condition. I recommend either of them.

 

[Son of Cervantes]

Slim PS2 is the best choice. As it's one of the most recently manufactured models, it's the one that'll most likely last you the longest.

 

[Hollycat]

PSX, then invite me over and we can play freekstyle

 

[psylah]

This is my PS2, the SCPH-90000. It's the second iteration of the slim but it's even lighter than the first one as it has an internal power supply. It also has the best backwards compatibility and properly plays a few PSX games that have issues on the other models, most notably it runs the black hole stage in Gradius Gaiden without slowdown.

Also Gradius Gaiden is totally awesome and I hope that's one of the games you're interested in.

This is dope. I heard there was a PS2 slim revision with an internal power supply, but I didn't know it had a half-glossy top!

And the games I was interested in were Battle Gear 2 and 3, which I've wanted to play since finding an arcade machine here in high school.

 

[entremet]

^ that's one of the Automobile Editions, right? I remember finding out about them on Sony's site not long after they all sold out. Yellow and blue were especially cool.

I had the blue one. Sold it sadly.

 

[encephalon]

Sometimes I want a fat PS2 just to play the Outbreak games.

 

[Keirnoth]

This is my PS2, the SCPH-90000. It's the second iteration of the slim but it's even lighter than the first one as it has an internal power supply. It also has the best backwards compatibility and properly plays a few PSX games that have issues on the other models, most notably it runs the black hole stage in Gradius Gaiden without slowdown.

Also Gradius Gaiden is totally awesome and I hope that's one of the games you're interested in.

KOF 2K2 UM? Gradius V?

Are you like, my long lost brother?

 

[RagingAvatar]

I wouldn't get a slim as no HDD support.

 

[psylah]

I wouldn't get a slim as no HDD support.

I'm not sure that would stop me, there were so few games that actually required the use of an HDD, most have optional installs for reducing load times.

 

[Parakeetman]

There were a few japanese-only PS2 releases I was thinking about playing, and being a collector of consoles, I thought about buying an NTSC-J PS2 of some sort.



I had a PS2 phat which was my original, which died, so I considered getting a japanese PS2 phat, but do those suffer from the same failure rates? It would be a risky proposition for such an old console at this point.



I could also get a PS2 slim, which comes in funky colors, but my current PS2 is a slim, so as a showpiece it would be less interesting (besides my choice of color).



The most difficult decision, though, is whether or not to get the PSX. As a rarity, it would be amazing to slip this into my collection, but I've seen so many broken units on ebay, and the working ones are so expensive, that I could buy a broken one for display on the cheap AND get a reliable japanese PS2 slim. The drawbacks to this thing are that it has a failure rate not unlike that of the original PS2 phats, the controller ports are on the BACK of the console, and it's nearly twice the size of the OG PS2, but goddamn, how awesome would it be to boot this bad boy up?


What say you, GAF? What PS2 would you buy for a collection?

The price of how much a brand new one costs is going to put a pause to those plans thats for sure and I wouldnt suggest buying a used one either. You are better off just looking for an OG PS3. They are expensive as shit in country brand new, PS2s that is. Its why I literally have a second OG PS3. As that one is just for PS2 games.