XENOGC and Region Switch Mod?

Ok so I got a old GC laying around and i want to make the most out of it, so i recently bought a xenogc and aftermarket case for it, my question is can the xeno chip play Japanese GC backups or do i have to add the region switch in order to do so? any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

Some games require a Japanese BIOS, otherwise you won't be able to read the text.

 

Most games play well enough. A switch mod adds further benefits. Unlike modchips or Freeloader, it changes a console's internal region.
Your GC would actually boot to Japanese menus.

Like hexigon said text is the most common JP game compatibility issue.
It's also needed to save progress in some games.
The setting had rare intentional uses too. US/JP versions of Starfox Adventures change language.

Note you NEED two memory cards. Export and Japanese BIOSs can't read/write/create cards in the other format. If you've already saved Japanese games in the English BIOS, those English formatted files won't be usable with Japan mode. (the opposite would apply if starting from a JP GC)
Perhaps there's homebrew ways to move saves between card types...

 

so you're basically saying that either way its not really? an option but somewhat necessary in order to playback japanese back ups?

 

so even with a modchip installed, i would still need the region switch mod in order to play the japanese games?

 

No, they're different mods. The effects just combine.

With both mods you can play back ups and japanese mode together. :smile-new:

Modchip alone =
allows back ups
allows japanese originals
allows PAL originals
does not change GC language

Region switch alone =
can change GC language into japanese.
allows japanese originals
does not enable back ups or PAL originals

 

okay so modchip alone i'm still good to go? i can still play backups of both Japanese and NTSC games? :encouragement:

 

A modchip alone would work for originals and backups of all regions, but some Japanese games may have garbled text or other issues without the region switch. I would highly recommend having the switch to go along with the chip.

 

yes thank you that's exactly what i wanted to hear, i just needed a clarification 'cause to be frank i was having doubts whether to do the region switch mod or not since i've read somewhere that the xeno chip alone could play Japanese games and Japanese backups as well

 

No problem, glad to help. I have a starter list of Japanese games where English mode has some difference.

Donkey Konga
Donkey Konga 2
Donkey Konga 3
F-Zero GX
Giftpia
Homeland
Ikaruga
Kururin Squash
Mr Driller
Nintendo Puzzle Collection
Radirgy
Rockman EXE
Shikigami no Shiro 2
Sonic Mega Collection
Starfox Adventures
Starfox Assault
Zoids Vs 3

 

ok one more question though, will a S.P.S.T Rocker Switch be suffice? i mean for the mod, just making sure thanks