Any good PS2 hacks?

[LazerMaster5]

A few months ago, I picked up a well-worn PS2 Slim at a rummage sale. I took it apart to get the disk drive working, which gave me a good idea. Does anyone know some cheap, easy hacks for the PS2 Slim, both hardware and software, that don't involve tracking down ancient devices, such as Swap Magic? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Arashikage]

Hacks like what?  The rules of SFO prohibit discussion of warez or anything leading to it such as emulators and such, IE ways to play games without actually paying for them.

[Redeemer]

Hacks like what?  The rules of SFO prohibit discussion of warez or anything leading to it such as emulators and such, IE ways to play games without actually paying for them.

 

This. Be careful with this topic.

[LazerMaster5]

Maybe mod would be a better word. I think things like an advanced firmware or improved firepower are what I'm going for.

[Terramax]

I don't know if this is the answer you're looking for, but I recently acquired a multitap and am preparing some controllers and games together for some 4 player action.

 

Quake 3 Arena, Ghost in the Shell: SAC, Everybody's Tennis and Everybody's Golf. I'd like to get hold of Fur Fighters at some point too.

 

The PS2 has some untapped potential when it comes to multiplayer.

[Arashikage]

I've hooked my PS2 up on my 120 inch projector screen for 4 player multiplayer action.  Each player gets a TV sized screen

[LoneWolf]

Best 'hack' that didn't involve running roms, at least for the PS1, was modchipping the console to be able to run imported Japanese/Euro games. If you've got some basic solder skills you can get the chips pretty cheap, at least, those for the PS1.

 

However, for the PS2, it looks like as you said, SwapMagic is the most well-known mod - check on eBay and see if you can find a disc. They should be all over. But if you're not interested in that, look into modchipping the console. PS2 modchips are pretty unusual given that disc-based exploits have been around forever, and the fact that you have a slim makes it all the more difficult. You'll also need some soldering skills unless you have one of those shady cellphone shops that will jailbreak iPhones and other shady shit around, though I wouldn't trust them. There's also solderless chips, but I'm not sure how effective/pricey they are. Your only other option is to exploit the memory card, but I'm not sure if that can be used to unlock the console, or just run shady/pirated software. I have zero experience with the card exploit.

 

However if you're strictly looking to region unlock I believe either method should be legal. Chipping the console will also let you run PAL games, but you'll need either a PAL TV or a dual-purpose PAL/NTSC TV. Some cheapo brands actually offer TVs that support both protocols. Of course, easiest and most definitively legal way to play import games is to simply import a PS2. They're all over thrift shops in Japan, shipping will just gut you. I imported a Famicom and it was relatively easy. Plus, if you're in a major urban area, vintage gaming stores have plenty of import games, at least, here on the West Coast. You best be willing to learn Japanese though, as many of the games do not have English options.

 

If you have more questions about importing, let me know and I can help you. As far as chipping the console, you're on your own. I've never done. I'd really just advise importing a console if that's something you'd be interested in. The PS2's weird architecture basically prohibited other mods.

 

Mods, please don't shoot the messenger. If I've provided too much information, feel free to edit and censor this post as you see fit. We're kind of in a grey area for the rules here.

 

Edit: If you look around, SwapMagic is actually pretty cheap and relatively abundantly available.

[LazerMaster5]

I said I don't have access to Swap Magic, dammit. Modchips and such are also hard to come by in the Northeastern Ohio Suburbs. I appreciate the thought, though.

[Terramax]

I've hooked my PS2 up on my 120 inch projector screen for 4 player multiplayer action.  Each player gets a TV sized screen

 

What games have you played 4 players on it?

[Terramax]

SwapMagic is apparently illegal. I got told off by ebay for selling my copy (which never actually worked).

 

Living in Japan, I can vouch there's a number of Japanese exclusives worth getting, but some of them can cost you a pretty penny. The Cave shmups Mushihimesama, Ibara, and Espgaluda. The Sega Ages collections (I think there's about 30-40 of them). Lots of fighters.

 

If you really want hacks though, you're better off with something like a classic Xbox. Some people have hacked that to add a HD drive, and add various emulators onto it, as well as use it as their main movie player, and of course to put all their Xbox games on their hard drive. Speaking of which, that console has a lot of underrated gems.

[Dr. Orange]

Modchips and such are also hard to come by in the Northeastern Ohio Suburbs.

>Toledo, Ohio, Western-ish Cleveland

 

I should know I lived there. There are a lot of old retro VG stores around both areas that sell numerous games n shitte. I've seen SwapMagic personally in two shops in the Toledo area.

[LazerMaster5]

Dammit, I live on the east side, in a bland piece of suburbia known to the idiotic residents as Mentor.

[LazerMaster5]

On a separate note, are there any retailers that sell electronic soldering kits?

[Dr. Orange]

Dammit, I live on the east side, in a bland piece of suburbia known to the idiotic residents as Mentor.

I've been to Mentor a couple of times. And this is off topic when I saw; but that high school beat out Science Olympiad team every time we'd see them I hope that school burns like the fallen ones. 

 

And those Sauter kits? Google, eBay, uhh ... Google maps.

[LazerMaster5]

Dammit, High, my friends are in Science Olympiad! I don't want them o burn, for they are much smarter than the average human, and also much more polite, not to mention they have been my best friends for years.