what is the cheaper option?

[bob]

wondering if its cheaper (or better option) to have a ps1 modded to play JP games or just get a JP console.  i know people hate the playstation, but i need to try vib ribbon.
i see JP systems on ebay for $40+ with a quick search of sold listings, but i dont even know who does the mods.  (i aint attempting it)

[SuperDeadite]

Well with a modchip, you can play burns, so then you don't need to buy original jp games which will save the most money in the long run.  Though if you are planning to play originals only, then a JP ps1 is simply the easiest and best experience.  However if you already have a USA ps1 there are many ways to play original JP games without internal mods, depends on what model of PS or PSOne you have.

If you are going to go the import route, spending a bit more for JP PS2 will also allow for imported PS2 games as well, though a few of the popular ones like Gradius Gaiden have issues on a PS2.

[bob]

can you expand on "many options..." (internal mods not needed)

[xelement5x]

Best option would be a PS2 slim with a modbo I think.  It has played everything I have thrown at it so far. 

(many thanks to chop for helping me with this unit)

[bob]

Best option would be a PS2 slim with a modbo I think.  It has played everything I have thrown at it so far. 

(many thanks to chop for helping me with this unit)

i dont feel like typing the whole story while on my phone, but i dont want a PS2 unit.
thanks, though for the advice.

[SignOfZeta]

I can't imagine having a PS1 that wasn't modded, and once it is modded it plays anything so the original region of the console is meaningless.

[SuperDeadite]

Well, really old Playstations could play imports by simply swapping the disc at the right time during boot, removed from the next revision.

Playstations with the parallel port on the back can usually play imports by plugging in one of the various GameShark/ProAction Replay devices, but later Playstations removed that port.  For the PSOne, there were import boot discs that came with a little plastic sticker to fool the console into always being closed, so that it can boot imports using just the special boot cd in the package.

[Arkhan]

Best option would be a PS2 slim with a modbo I think.  It has played everything I have thrown at it so far. 

(many thanks to chop for helping me with this unit)

tell me more about this, you majestic f*ck

[ClodBuster]

My (PAL) PS2 SCPH-9x equipped with some Modbo chip (I guess some Matrix Infinity or Modbo clone or whatever) plays all regions of PS1 and PS2 games like a champ. Even JP Gradius Gaiden.
For some stubborn games, it helps to force the console into going certain modes by holding certain buttons on the controller at startup (documented in the Matrix Infinity docs). It also plays CD-/DVD-R...
It also features codefree DVD video playback, although some discs will still refuse to load, so don't put your bets on the PS2 as a DVD player.

[Mandlebaum]

PSX mod chips are $4 and I managed to solder one in when I was 11. Imports and burned games work great. There's also a couple different solutions that use the parallel port on earlier models and allow for a few different features depending on how much setup you want to do.

[wildfruit]

It's probably cheaper and easier to buy a pre modded ps1. I got one for about £10 a few weeks ago. Plays CD-R s nice.
Edit : I just checked it was actually £20 but still good.

[xelement5x]

Best option would be a PS2 slim with a modbo I think.  It has played everything I have thrown at it so far. 

(many thanks to chop for helping me with this unit)

tell me more about this, you majestic f*ck

Clodbuster covered most of it below, but you can buy the modbo original or matrix clones from aliexpress sellers extremely cheap and then install them into a PS2 slim and it plays almost anything.  Legit PS1/2 discs from either region, and the burns that I tried.  Chop even sent along some fan translated game that worked too.

I am pretty confident in soldering but these are tiny wires and I'd trust chop's dexterity over mine.  Here's a picture I stole from the internet:

[SignOfZeta]

PSX mod chips are $4 and I managed to solder one in when I was 11. Imports and burned games work great. There's also a couple different solutions that use the parallel port on earlier models and allow for a few different features depending on how much setup you want to do.

I agree with this. Just ask your local game shop if they have a PSOne already modded and buy that. When the PS was still going every single person I knew had their system modded. In fact many people I know ditched Saturn for PS just because all the games for PS were free. It was like all C64 times.

At one point NCS was selling internal VCD cards with mod chops for PSOne. I wish I had lept on that because I haven't seen them before or since. I just got a standard $8 chip when I got the system in...2003 or whatever.

Assuming fan translations aren't worthless to you I assume you'd want a chip.

[esadajr]

This reminds me I have an SCPH-7501 PS1 in need of repair. While replacing the optical drive the laser power socket came off the mainboard and I don't know where I'm supposed to solder it back.

[jperryss]

Just wanted to add that you should be able to play any region PS1 game on a PS2 slim using the disc swap trick with an original PS1 disc, once you block the disc lid sensors. No modchip required, just pop and swap when the 2nd Playstation splash screen comes up.