Japanese PS2 Games on US PS3 - Blu-ray Forum

jling84 · 12-05-2007, 07:42 AM

I just returned from a two week trip in Japan and picked up the International Versions of FFX, FFX-2 and FFXII as well as Kingdom Hearts I and II Final Mix. I was wondering if anyone knew of any recent solutions to play Japanese PS2 games on the PS3.

I don't understand why Sony decided to keep the region coding on PS2 games, but not on PS3 games. I love that I can play the Japanese games I picked up for my PSP and PS3, if I could play my Japanese PS2 games, I would be in heaven!

Icemage · 12-05-2007, 07:45 AM

The problem is that PS2 games (like Xbox and Xbox 360 games) are published on DVD, and are pretty much all region-locked as a result due to the specifications for DVD.

To receive legally support DVD playback, Sony (and every other manufacturer) has to abide by those region locks or risk getting their license pulled.

In short, it's not a problem specific to Sony or the PS2/PS3 - it's a problem specific to DVD.

w_tanoto · 12-05-2007, 09:43 AM

you'll need a japanese ps2/3. I always have japanese version of playstations, because they have better games.

no, there is no way to play JPN PS2 games on US PS2/3. unless you want to break the warranty and install swapmagic device. it is designed for ps2, but proven to work on ps3 (breaking your warranty)

Just like you, I own every international version of kh and ff (except XII, including ffVII), and the original version of games in japanese

jling84 · 12-05-2007, 08:18 PM

Darn...

So because of the region coding regulations that Sony must adhere to, there's no chance that Sony will ever add Import PS2 playback in a firmware or something huh?

I guess it's time for me to check Craigslist for a Japanese or modded PS2 then... Thanks!

w_tanoto · 12-05-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jling84

Darn...

So because of the region coding regulations that Sony must adhere to, there's no chance that Sony will ever add Import PS2 playback in a firmware or something huh?

I guess it's time for me to check Craigslist for a Japanese or modded PS2 then... Thanks!

all ps2 sold in indonesia are modded (including sony official shop). believe me, I got mine there. it cost idr 1000000 = about uss100

androvsky · 12-05-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jling84

Darn...

So because of the region coding regulations that Sony must adhere to, there's no chance that Sony will ever add Import PS2 playback in a firmware or something huh?

I guess it's time for me to check Craigslist for a Japanese or modded PS2 then... Thanks!

Well, the end result is the same, but I doubt DVD region coding has anything to do with it, since a lot of early PS2 games were released on CDs (the blue discs). Also, Japanese launch PS2s couldn't play DVD movies without a program installed on a memory card, so I doubt they share an encryption subsystem. I honestly think Sony could enable region-free ps2 playback on the PS3 if they (or, more accurately, publishers) wanted to.

But for now, barring a big surprise from Sony, a Japanese or modded PS2 is the way to go. And be sure to send them an email or post on their blog to let Sony know this is something people want.

CptGreedle · 12-05-2007, 08:50 PM

PS2's are cheap now, and you can mod them easily enough. I know of a few places that will do it (or rather I knew of them, not sure if they are still around). You can try Starland but I don't know if it is still around or how many there are.

Either way, it should be easy enough to get a Japanese PS2 or mod out a US PS2. Sorry, the PS3 can't do that yet. I doubt any official update will add that, but someone might someday hack it.

w_tanoto · 12-05-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Sorry, the PS3 can't do that yet. I doubt any official update will add that, but someone might someday hack it.

it can, but it will cost the warranty. you need to open the ps3 to install swapmagic.
official update enabling this? i doubt it very much. sony is very strict with region coding

Shin-Ra · 12-05-2007, 10:27 PM

SCE would need to get permission from every PlayStation/PlayStation 2 game publisher before they could remove the region lock for PS/PS2 games. Before they know it, some ex-publisher shows their face and claims they didn't give permission and Sony have some legal crap they could do without.

jling84 · 12-06-2007, 07:27 AM

Awwww that sounds like it could be really difficult to implement into the PS3. I know I could get a PS2 for pretty cheap, but the thing is without the PS3 upscaling, PS2 games look really horrible on my big screen.

I will go and leave a message on the PS blog and message boards though. Except for the permission from all the developers thing, it would seem that including import PS2 compatibility would only serve to boost their sales in Japan since I'm sure many foreigners would buy games.

WickyWoo · 12-06-2007, 08:15 AM

They won't do it, period

And no, the foreign import game market is very tiny, especially for a system on the way out. Believe me Ifind this aggravating, I have this lovely copy of Tobal 2 sitting here and a broken PS1 that can play it (along with a dozen other imports)

12-05-2007, 07:42 AM	#1
jling84 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Los Angeles, California Trading Score:7	Japanese PS2 Games on US PS3 I just returned from a two week trip in Japan and picked up the International Versions of FFX, FFX-2 and FFXII as well as Kingdom Hearts I and II Final Mix. I was wondering if anyone knew of any recent solutions to play Japanese PS2 games on the PS3. I don't understand why Sony decided to keep the region coding on PS2 games, but not on PS3 games. I love that I can play the Japanese games I picked up for my PSP and PS3, if I could play my Japanese PS2 games, I would be in heaven!

12-06-2007, 07:27 AM	#10
jling84 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Los Angeles, California Trading Score:7	Awwww that sounds like it could be really difficult to implement into the PS3. I know I could get a PS2 for pretty cheap, but the thing is without the PS3 upscaling, PS2 games look really horrible on my big screen. I will go and leave a message on the PS blog and message boards though. Except for the permission from all the developers thing, it would seem that including import PS2 compatibility would only serve to boost their sales in Japan since I'm sure many foreigners would buy games. Last edited by jling84; 12-06-2007 at 07:29 AM.

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12-05-2007, 07:45 AM	#2
Icemage Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007	The problem is that PS2 games (like Xbox and Xbox 360 games) are published on DVD, and are pretty much all region-locked as a result due to the specifications for DVD. To receive legally support DVD playback, Sony (and every other manufacturer) has to abide by those region locks or risk getting their license pulled. In short, it's not a problem specific to Sony or the PS2/PS3 - it's a problem specific to DVD.

12-05-2007, 09:43 AM	#3
w_tanoto Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Hatfield, UK / Jakarta, Indonesia Blu-ray collection:37 Blu-ray reviews:47	you'll need a japanese ps2/3. I always have japanese version of playstations, because they have better games. no, there is no way to play JPN PS2 games on US PS2/3. unless you want to break the warranty and install swapmagic device. it is designed for ps2, but proven to work on ps3 (breaking your warranty) Just like you, I own every international version of kh and ff (except XII, including ffVII), and the original version of games in japanese

12-05-2007, 08:18 PM	#4
jling84 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Los Angeles, California Trading Score:7	Darn... So because of the region coding regulations that Sony must adhere to, there's no chance that Sony will ever add Import PS2 playback in a firmware or something huh? I guess it's time for me to check Craigslist for a Japanese or modded PS2 then... Thanks!

12-05-2007, 08:50 PM	#7
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	PS2's are cheap now, and you can mod them easily enough. I know of a few places that will do it (or rather I knew of them, not sure if they are still around). You can try Starland but I don't know if it is still around or how many there are. Either way, it should be easy enough to get a Japanese PS2 or mod out a US PS2. Sorry, the PS3 can't do that yet. I doubt any official update will add that, but someone might someday hack it.

12-05-2007, 10:27 PM	#9
Shin-Ra Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Feb 2007 Blu-ray collection:5 Trading Score:1	SCE would need to get permission from every PlayStation/PlayStation 2 game publisher before they could remove the region lock for PS/PS2 games. Before they know it, some ex-publisher shows their face and claims they didn't give permission and Sony have some legal crap they could do without.

12-06-2007, 08:15 AM	#11
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	They won't do it, period And no, the foreign import game market is very tiny, especially for a system on the way out. Believe me Ifind this aggravating, I have this lovely copy of Tobal 2 sitting here and a broken PS1 that can play it (along with a dozen other imports)

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