Playing Japanese games... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

TheJig · 01-13-2005, 12:56 PM

I'm having a hard time finding an answer to this one.

I've got a PS2 and a GameCube and I was wondering what I need to do to be able to play the Japanese versions of games for these consoles. Do I need to buy the Japanese consoles, or modify the consoles I have? And where would be the best place to buy the games?

I realize that none of that stuff matters if I can't read Japanese, but I'm working on that one. Thanks for the help.

Amano · 01-13-2005, 01:50 PM

You'll need to modify your system, and I can tell you right now that it'll be much easier and cheaper to mod your GC. Sony is rather anal about Japanese games only being playable in Japan and US games only playable in the US. Back in the PSX days, they changed their territorial lockout codes every several months which would mean you'd have to change your chip to play new games. They also made it difficult to modify them

All of that information, I should say, is relevant to the PSX. It may or may not be the case for the PS2, since I bought a Jp Ps2 when it came out so I haven't followed Ps2 mods very closely. But I can tell you that as of a couple years ago, Ps2 were EXPENSIVE (like between $120-200). I don't know if that's still the case now.

As for your GC, it's much easier to mod, and Nintendo isn't all that anal about territorial lockout. But then of course, all the good Japanese games get ported to the US. That said, mods are still available and they usually cost about $50.

That said, it is possible to buy the chip yourself and install it yourself if you feel comfortable with opening up your consoles and soldering stuff.

As for recommendations on where to get your mods or to buy games, I know of one "physical store" that will do it in the SF area, and one online store that sells modded consoles and will mod your consoles if you send them in. I've dealt with a decent number of online and offline stores that specialize in import videogames, and I can safely say that these two are top notch and are very reliable. I've sent you a PM because I don't think I'm allowed to "advertise" these stores, even though I don't work for them. If anyone else wants their contact info, PM me.

Edit: Alternatively, you can buy the Japanese consoles and not have to worry about opening up your consoles to mod them. They usually come with a premium of about $25-50 above the US retail price. Also, you'll have to use separate memory cards for Japanese and US games.

TheJig · 01-14-2005, 05:39 AM

I checked out the site you gave me, and they have alot of awesome stuff. They also sell a thing called "Freeloader" which I guess is like a boot disk for the GameCube that allows you to play any US, PAL, or JAP games. If it actually worked it would save me alot of money.

Has anyone tried this out yet?

NeverBorn · 01-14-2005, 02:43 PM

I know someone (and witnessed) who has Freeloader, he got it to importat that Naruto game. It worked fine, I didn't notice any problems and allowed him to play. Like you said, its in essence a boot disk

Ganguro · 01-15-2005, 08:29 PM

I own a freeloader and a few jp cube games.. The freeloader works with 99% of the games but some games cant save while you use the freeloader (Donkey Kong Jungle Beat comes to mind). There are mods for the cube, but really.. why bother?

AS far as japanese ps2 games go, yu can mod your game, or do a swap with a boot disc found online, or bought from those type of retailers. I wont elaborate on this subject, but there are a LOT of good jp ps2 games out there just waiting to be imported. However expect to pay 65-70 dollars per game, and forget about any RPG's.. heavy Katakana and Kanji requirements there.

Good luck!..
If you need any rec's PM me

Wingless · 01-16-2005, 07:39 PM

A very very well known and reliable site of Japanese PS2/X-Box/GameCube games is www.lik-sang.com . They even sell Japanese PS2's and GameCubes (for a premium, of course...)

01-13-2005, 12:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
TheJig Crazy Location: The Marmalade Forest	Playing Japanese games... I'm having a hard time finding an answer to this one. I've got a PS2 and a GameCube and I was wondering what I need to do to be able to play the Japanese versions of games for these consoles. Do I need to buy the Japanese consoles, or modify the consoles I have? And where would be the best place to buy the games? I realize that none of that stuff matters if I can't read Japanese, but I'm working on that one. Thanks for the help. __________________ "Jenny, tell me, do you still walk, do you still get into sandwiches in a big way?" - Flight of the Conchords

01-14-2005, 05:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheJig Crazy Location: The Marmalade Forest	I checked out the site you gave me, and they have alot of awesome stuff. They also sell a thing called "Freeloader" which I guess is like a boot disk for the GameCube that allows you to play any US, PAL, or JAP games. If it actually worked it would save me alot of money. Has anyone tried this out yet? __________________ "Jenny, tell me, do you still walk, do you still get into sandwiches in a big way?" - Flight of the Conchords

01-16-2005, 07:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wingless Psycho Location: Metro Detroit, Mich, USA	A very very well known and reliable site of Japanese PS2/X-Box/GameCube games is www.lik-sang.com . They even sell Japanese PS2's and GameCubes (for a premium, of course...) __________________ Tommy Nibs is a funny word. So here I am, above palm trees, so straight and tall... You are, smaller getting smaller, but I still see... you. Jimmy Eat World - Goodbye Sky Harbor

01-13-2005, 01:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Amano Insane	You'll need to modify your system, and I can tell you right now that it'll be much easier and cheaper to mod your GC. Sony is rather anal about Japanese games only being playable in Japan and US games only playable in the US. Back in the PSX days, they changed their territorial lockout codes every several months which would mean you'd have to change your chip to play new games. They also made it difficult to modify them All of that information, I should say, is relevant to the PSX. It may or may not be the case for the PS2, since I bought a Jp Ps2 when it came out so I haven't followed Ps2 mods very closely. But I can tell you that as of a couple years ago, Ps2 were EXPENSIVE (like between $120-200). I don't know if that's still the case now. As for your GC, it's much easier to mod, and Nintendo isn't all that anal about territorial lockout. But then of course, all the good Japanese games get ported to the US. That said, mods are still available and they usually cost about $50. That said, it is possible to buy the chip yourself and install it yourself if you feel comfortable with opening up your consoles and soldering stuff. As for recommendations on where to get your mods or to buy games, I know of one "physical store" that will do it in the SF area, and one online store that sells modded consoles and will mod your consoles if you send them in. I've dealt with a decent number of online and offline stores that specialize in import videogames, and I can safely say that these two are top notch and are very reliable. I've sent you a PM because I don't think I'm allowed to "advertise" these stores, even though I don't work for them. If anyone else wants their contact info, PM me. Edit: Alternatively, you can buy the Japanese consoles and not have to worry about opening up your consoles to mod them. They usually come with a premium of about $25-50 above the US retail price. Also, you'll have to use separate memory cards for Japanese and US games.

01-14-2005, 02:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
NeverBorn I'm a pepper bitch..	I know someone (and witnessed) who has Freeloader, he got it to importat that Naruto game. It worked fine, I didn't notice any problems and allowed him to play. Like you said, its in essence a boot disk

01-15-2005, 08:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ganguro Army of Me	I own a freeloader and a few jp cube games.. The freeloader works with 99% of the games but some games cant save while you use the freeloader (Donkey Kong Jungle Beat comes to mind). There are mods for the cube, but really.. why bother? AS far as japanese ps2 games go, yu can mod your game, or do a swap with a boot disc found online, or bought from those type of retailers. I wont elaborate on this subject, but there are a LOT of good jp ps2 games out there just waiting to be imported. However expect to pay 65-70 dollars per game, and forget about any RPG's.. heavy Katakana and Kanji requirements there. Good luck!.. If you need any rec's PM me