WTB: Playstation 2 Slim, NTSC-U compatible (UK)

Looking for a PlayStation 2 slim that can play NTSC-U games and be shipped to the UK. Preferably in reasonable condition, doesn't necessarily have to have the cables, box or controllers included (of course, another controller never goes amiss). Modded console of any region not refused.

Just bought a copy of Katamari Damacy off eBay, and after looking at the price of soft/hard modding kits for phat PS2s, have decided I'd rather buy another PS2 rather than mod my UK one. Trouble is, shipping is a right bugger apparently ($35-$40 P&P to get a US PS2 shipped), and was wondering whether anyone in the community had one they were willing to sell.

Reasonable prices considered.

Alternatively, if anyone has a cheap option for playing different region PS2 games on a phat, I won't complain either - just the options I saw yesterday were more than I was willing to pay or stupidly inconvenient (here's lookin' at you, SwapMagic) just to play one game.

 

If you have friend with modded console, look for freemcboot on google. I never tried it, but people say it works.

 

I could do you a Free McBoot install for free if you wanted? You would just need to send me a memory card and pay for return postage! Should be bout a pound or 2 maybe!

 

Hmmm... tempting

I thought FreeMCBoot didn't work with import games, and you'd have to make a patched copy in order for it to work. Is that not true?

 

Yes that's true, you have to make a patched copy of your disc! But what's wrong with that? Your expensive game stays in pristine condition!

Or copy it to a PS2 HDD, it will play like a PAL game does!

 

OK, you've convinced me! Thanks! I'll send you a PM in a mo.

I wish it was the case that I could play legally bought games without lapsing into the gray area of cracking the software in order to play it, but the difference between £70 and £2 seems too great to ignore. I just have to look at the same way as my CD collection is ripped so it can be enjoyed on the netbook.

 

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but there are probably enough American users on the forums that you could PayPal someone and have them just go to a store and buy a US PS2 and ship it to you?

 

Postage to New Zealand was cheaper for Free McBoot, than buying a console @ 70-80 bux!

 

It's OK. I must point out, however:

1) A PS2 slim costs in the region of $50 used with a controller as far as I could see. The average shipping cost I encountered on eBay for an unboxed console was around $60, making the cost of item+handling over $110 for a machine it turns out I won't need.
2) The reason I posted a WTB message in the first place was because I initially wanted to do exactly what you stated.
3) PS2Guy gave me a solution that didn't require me to buy a console I didn't actually need, and save 90% of the cost. It also means I don't have to switch console every time I want to play a non-PAL game. It is a bit of a shame that I will have to play a slightly modified copy rather than the original disc, but essentially I see it is akin to my entire CD collection being on iTunes so I can play it on a device (my iPod) that isn't compatible with CDs.

 

I hope that you haven't gone ahead with this yet! If PS2Guy is in New Zealand like his info says, then he most likely has an Oceanian region PS2 (SCPH-xxx02). I assume that mooseblaster has a European PS2 (SCPH-xxx03, SCPH-xxx04), and although both output a PAL video mode by default and can even play the same original game discs, they are of a completely different Magicgate (memory card encryption method) region. This means that an install made on a PS2 from one Magicgate region will not work on another. You would need one from another European SCPH-xxx03 or SCPH-xxx04 console.

Edit: and once you have your FMCB install, the software you need to play the patched backups is ESR. Or you could use Open PS2 Loader to load backups from a networked PC/NAS, from a USB device (wouldn't advise this due to low speed) or from internal HDD, if you get an internal HDD. FMCB is just a homebrew launcher.

 

Seeing that I sent him a non-official 16MB memory card with no MagicGate support, plus MagicGate was rarely (if ever) used on the PS2, I don't see this as an issue. Thanks for the heads-up though, and if there is a problem, that'll be the first thing I'll check up on!

I understand the issues with ESR only working with backups. As I mentioned in my first post, I disliked the idea of SwapMagic due to the combination of inconvenience, stress on the drive mechanism and the issues with disc reading (due to the PS2's drive being calibrated to the last disc loaded properly into the drive), and whilst having to make and play a backup of a game I legally own is a bit silly in my eyes, I'm happy to roll with it to save myself the cash. Yes - I could have held out for someone to do an FreeMCBoot setup for me in the UK, but PS2Guy got to me first. I could buy all of the required parts to do it myself, but it's stuff I would have to spend extra money on to meet the same end.

Thanks for reminding me about ESR, though - I may move up to getting a network adapter and a hard-drive, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

Thanks for your concern, I have a few consoles, an SCPH-30003, 7 SCPH-30002's, a white SCPH-30002R, an SCPH-35002, an SCPH-39002, an SCPH-50001 (broken), an SCPH-50004 (broken), an Aqua SCPH-50003, a Silver SCPH-50002 that's why I call myself PS2Guy, cause I love them!

I do realise that different regions use different formats, I wouldn't have offered otherwise!

 

Like I said, for FMCB, it does make a difference. ALL PS2 cards, other than the old ones needing a bootdisc, support magicgate. Otherwise it wouldn't work with FMCB! And I'm guessing that yours isn't one of the bootdisc ones... meaning that it does have Magicgate (or you couldn't install FMCB...). Magicgate encryption is used in all Sony software updates, and it also prevents you from copying a software install from one card to another, unless you have a pirated Chinese card (all have the same ID, it seems).

But the main point is, the region "locking" always applies... a card install made from one distinct region simply won't work on another, due to the different MG regions.

 

You didn't read what I said aye? The FMCB will work on his console cause I'll build on my ENGLISH (i.e SCPH-xxxx3) console, so it WON'T have a region lock!

 

I did... but I was just letting him know that region locks from other region consoles still apply, since he seemed to have disregarded what I said.

 

A region lock would only apply if I made it on my New Zealand console, but I won't!!

 

Yeah - sorry, forgot about the whole "bootdiscs use MagicGate" - glad someone was paying attention! :gravedigging:Thanks Elijah - and thanks PS2Guy for not being as daft as me!

 

If the freemcboot doesn't work out then you should be able to use the independence exploit and a PS1 game + memory card. That should have much less issues with regions. You can then try and run your own freemcboot installation.

 

It's funny, I don't think I'm being listened to!! It'll work because i'll make it on my English console!! I have his console model number so I can't go wrong!! I'd better do it for him tomorrow and send it back!!