[LWJoestar]

As revealed in another thread, I just purchased a new PS2, to replace one that completely bit it.

So, I thought that while I'm at it, I might as well do another thing I've wanted to do for a while: make my PS2 able to play imports.

I've done a little research already, and it would seem that with the model I've got (SCPH 77001SS), I'm looking at the Swap Magic 3.6 discs, and a few litle gizmos collectively known as the "Magic Key 2".

Am I on the right track, those of you who know more about this than I do?
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[EU03]

You actually don't need to buy the Magic Key 2 if you got some tape and junk, but I hear it's just more convienient to go through with it.

Yeah, SwapMagic is pretty useful, though the TOC on the CD one is pretty small and might have some trouble booting up PS2CDs. It's what I used before I got a network adapter to use HDL.

Also, they won't work on PSX games, though I hear hotswapping them works (?).
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[Drem]

Yeah, my original PS2 just broke last weekend, so I've ordered a new Slim PS2 (that's taking forever to get delivered). I've been looking to get the Magic Switch V3, which I think does the same thing as Magic Key? Except has a couple of more optional parts to install. So instead of sticking something undercover and keeping the lid open, you can put something over some switch inside the PS2 to make it work with the lid closed. Or something. The directions really sucked.

[BotageL]

I guess you have a slimline, Joestar? If so, I can't help you there. The Magic Swap discs have served me well with my fliptop-modded fatty PS2 (although now I have the HDLoader setup, so it's not quite as useful).
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http://www.mdgeist.com/

[dongle]

Yeah get the magic keys. They're like a dollar or two from good resellers (the disk is always kind of pricy). I put em in my slim ps2 in a couple of minutes and have had no problems. I mostly use it to play imports like rez and shmups, but backups have worked as well.

That swap disc for ps1 games works as well.

[EU03]

[dongle]

The SwapMagic CD is only for PS2CDs, but you can use a PS1 swap disc with the magic keys.

[LWJoestar]

Drem: The Magic Key 2 is made so that you just put three tiny little metal doodads in there and you can just use the system as though you never did a thing, from what I've seen. The instructions on this page make it look easy enough.

Legato: Yeah, Slimline silver. I was considering going the flip-top route when I had a Bigdaddy model, but couldn't really justify spending $50-some for such an ugly case and THEN spend a bunch of money on swap discs. The fact that the slim units are so easy to mod is really what drove me to the purchase in the first place.


As for PS1 games: I definitely want to do those as well. Basically, the entire reason I'm doing all of this is for Beatmania, and I even already own some PS1 Beatmania import titles. If there's a quick/easy/cheap way to play PS1 imports these days, I definitely would like to know! If it helps, I have a PSOne as well. In case there's something mega-easy with that one.

I've also heard that the new "Coder" (3.8) swap discs aren't as good as the one-step-older 3.6 discs? Can anyone confirm/deny?


Million dollar question: What is a good, RELIABLE site that I can get these things from? All the ones I've come across yet seem too shifty.
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[BotageL]

The fliptop lid I have for my PS2 Fatty isn't especially ugly looking, and it only cost like $35 for the discs and case IIRC. But I suppose it's rather a moot point for you now anyway!

I would recommend ModMonster.com to you, as they didn't screw me over or anything when I bought my stuff there, but I don't think they stock the Magic Key 2, so I guess that's no good for you.
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http://www.mdgeist.com/

[Knurek]

[EU03]

I can vouch for www.modchip.com.
I ordered a 50-pin ribbon cable from them, came through within 2 weeks, no hassle or anything.

I hear ps2fliptop is good, too, despite the ugly-as-sin website.
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[SplashBeats]

Joestar, I'd HIGHLY recommend looking into memory card exploits.

I have bootloader on my memory card that loads whenever I put Final Fantasy 7 Disc 3 into my PS2. From here, I can boot a program called CogSwap, a very simple yet very functional swap disc utility, as well as a few other things. I didn't pay SHIT for it.

It's kind of a pain in the ass to set all this stuff up, but if you have an Action Replay and some patience you can save yourself some cash!

If not, yeah, go with the SwapMagic.

[EU03]

I'm pretty sure Sony fixed the exploit in the slimline models.

Though yeah, the exploit is pretty awesome.
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[Loki Laufeyson]

[deepblue]

While we're talking about ps2 mods, for someone like me who has an old model 4 PS2 with HDD, what's the best solution? Do any of these allow me to save and load games to/from the hard drive? I've wanted to do this so badly for so long and have been scared by the sketchy details and strange looking websites. I'd give my left leg to finally be able to import and play Twinkle Star Sprites 2 and KOF XI.

[dongle]

[EU03]

[deepblue]

[SplashBeats]

[dongle]