Hi!
I just came across this site by chance and saw this interesting
article.
I own a PS2 myself and will share my 2 cents worth of knowledge to
all who intend to buy one in the future.
Currently, there are 3 different types of PS2 systems in the
market:
PAL (UK)
NTSC J (JAP)
NTSC U/C (US)
And because of security issues, games will not run outside of their
own markets (unless modified).
Before I touch on modification, let me make it clear that any form
of modification will require the system to be opened, a chip to be
installed and soldered.
Please keep in mind that these modifications are done locally, most
of the time by the shops themselves. So if you really intend to get
a modified one, do get from a shop you trust.
That being said, let me introduce 3 main types of
modification:
1) NeoKey / External Mod / USB Mod
2) Orriga Chipset
3) Messiah chipset
The first form of modification is the cheapest of all. Known as a
Neo Key or External Mod or USB Mod, it cost only about $60.
However, it is also the worst mod chip of all.
This mod chip requires an adaptor to be plugged into the front of
the PS2 via the USB ports and the installation of a single jumper
wire inside the system.
Please take note that this mod chip only allows the system to
playback copy CD-ROM games. Copy DVD games cannot be played at all.
If we were to do a simple check, you will realize that most PS2
games are DVD games. So this makes the Neo Key a lousy mod.
The Orriga chipset is an improved version of mod compared to the
Neo Key. This requires no external adaptor but needs numerous wires
to be soldered onto the motherboard. This modchip allows the system
to playback CD-ROM and DVD games. BUT the booting of the system to
play copy games is very tedious. To play CD-ROM games, we need to
boot the system with either a Gameshark 2 or Action Replay 2 disc,
after which we will need to swap the bootdisc with the CD game we
want to play. If we want to play copy DVD games, we will also need
an original DVD game with a larger capacity of the copy DVD game to
boot up the system.
All being said, the Orriga chipset is not very stable. Feedback
from friends is that it will cause systems to hang quite often.
Costs is around $200.
The final modchip (messiah) is the one everyone is supposedly
waiting for. It still needs major soldering of wires but the good
thing is that after the modification, the system is supposed to
behave like any original system. All games: originals, imports,
copy CD-DVD ROMs can all be played without needing to do any disc
swapping. Cost is around $200. However, please take note that this
chip is designed specifically for the PAL system and thus may not
work on JAP or US models.
With so much said, some of you must think that I have tried all the
different types of mods. No. I am a true gamer and I only play
originals. On many occasions, the idea of modifying my system did
cross my mind. But I never did want anyone to open my system and
start putting extra wires especially since I paid so much money for
it.
So the question now is if you intend to buy an original system,
which should you go for?
This I cannot decide for you as each has its pros and cons. What I
can do is provide you with some insights of each system.
First of all, when we purchase a console, its intention is to play
games. So the first objective you should keep in mind is that the
system should have the games you want.
Most games do appear in all systems, its just a matter of when.
The release dates of JAP and US games is usually not that far
apart. The one major consideration is that JAP games are mostly in
Japanese. And unless you can understand its language, it might not
be worthwhile to pay so much and in the end not knowing exactly
what the game is all about.
Jap games are slightly cheaper (about $10 - $20) than their US
counterparts.
If you were to shop around for games, you will notice that the
majority are NTSC U/C. This means that the game is intended to
run on US machines. I should estimate that in Singapore currently,
about 50% are US games, 35% JAP and only 15% UK games.
For me personally, I bought a US machine because I want to
appreciate every game I play. The only and biggest setback is that
Winning Eleven 6 is not out for the US markets. I guess soccer is
just not their game.
PAL systems are not very popular in Singapore and there arent many
games available for it either; at least not many locally.
To end off, whether you want purchase an original PS2 system or a
modified one is all up to you. I hope my article can help you make
a better choice and at the same time avoid being cheated.
Thanks.
Andrew
