PS2 modchip advice - help?

[rallamajoop]

A few months back our PS2 hit the point where it freezes so often that playing most games is becoming a serious exercise in frustration. We were planning to just replace it once the PS3 comes out, but most of our favourite games are imported, and from what I've heard, it sounds like the PS3 is supposed to be regionless with regard to PS3 games, but it still won't let you play PS2 games from other regions (anyone who's actually bought one know if this is accurate?). Since I'm guessing there's no reliable way of modding the PS3 out there yet, we decided we'd put off buying one until we've found some PS3 games which we actually want to buy.

In the meantime, we figured that since the PS2 is going so cheap now, we'd just buy and mod a new one of those. Thing is, we've had some trouble with mod chips in the past, so we want to make sure we're getting one that will a) work, b) last, and c) not be unjustifiably overpriced. So, since I know a lot of you out there have modded PS2s of your own, can anyone make any recommendations as to where we should look?

Comments

[lleytondurst.livejournal.com]

the ps3 is only region free with ps3 games unfortunately and the PAL/Au ps3's dont have the hardware emulation in them, is done by software from what ive heard and thus almost nil backwards compatabilty.

as for modding ps2's, i got mine done about a month ago (although i only bought the ps2 2 weeks before that) at 'The Modshop' in belmont (http://www.themodshop.com). they offer "varying" levels of modchips, soem which play more games than others, but as yet i havnt had any issues with any game i have (US, AU, ntsc, pal and so on). the chip they put in play all overseas games and 99% of backed up ones (apparantly).

only issue ive had is that sometimes when i turn it on, the chip doesnt "kick in" and so i need to unplug the power and plug back in and its fine. the chip itself has a menu where you can change things like dvd video region, multi disk support(ps1 games) and force it to ntsc or pal as you require.

i still have their pricelist somewhere if youd like it (i can scan/take a pic of it). also they place offers other things like cleaning dust, refocusing the laser (and so on). anyways, hope this helps

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

^^; Actually, the modshop was the one place I was hoping to avoid. They modded our last PS2, and when it first started freezing and we took it back to see if they could do anything to fix it, they wound up charging us a ton for repairs without ever doing anything that made much difference. I've also heard some pretty bad reports about those 'varying' level modchips too - I'd much rather try another place else this time if I can find one.

[lleytondurst.livejournal.com]

doh :/ im not aware of any other places myself (im sure there are though) that are in perth.

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure even the Japanese/American ones aren't supposed to be compatible with PS2 games from other regions, but since we've already decided just to buy and mod another PS2, it's not that much of an issue. Outside of the FF/KH series, DDR and a few anime-based fighting games we don't even really play that many games, so as far we're concerned, the PS3 can wait until FFXIII comes out ^^;.

I'm amused there are already enough preowned PS3's on the market that you got one at all. But considering how bad the PS3's reputation is getting, maybe I shouldn't be all that surprised.

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Have done already, actually, though we've still got to get it modded before most of our favourite games will work. Forget the PS3, region codes = SPAWN OF THE DEVIL.

[velithya]

So I totally had your birthday written in my diary as today, and then I went and checked your userinfo and I discover that it was a week ago! So, uh, happy birthday for last week :)

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I didn't wind up doing much on my birthday this year so I think a lot of people didn't notice the date, but thanks, however belated. ^_^

BTW, don't mean to nag, but did you get a chance to look at that fic I sent you yet?

[velithya]

You are certainly right to nag because you sent it to me like two weeks ago! Unfortunately what with an assignment due on monday and being in ED until 4am this morning and another assignment due tomorrow at midday I haven't had a chance so far this week :( I will do my absolute best to give you something by the weekend, though.