Import Game playing?

[replicant]

Hey, using the emu and having no real issues thus far. Only problem I have encountered is that I own quite a few import (NTSC-J) games for my PSX. Some have the region lock out protection. Is there a way I can bypass the lockout within PSX (Didn't notice a toggle or similar) or do I have to rip the game and patch it as an ISO? My machine has a gameshark type mod I use to play Import games with.

Figured it might work with a JP Bios, but seeing as I have a standard US PSX that's not a real option.

Any help is much appreciated.

[hushypushy]

It should work. If not, try making an ISO with subchannel data (http://forums.ngemu.com/everything-else-psx/34515-how-make-perfect-backup-psx-games.html).

[JJXB]

umm... it should run fine without any problems (pSX plays my european games and a us import copy of chocobo racing i have)

[Wonder]

Just try a game, I've loaded ISO images of Japanese games without changing a single setting.

[replicant]

Well, I only have one to try at the moment. Others are in storage until I can get a chance to drop by the building to pick some up. It's "Bust a Groove 2: Dance Tengoku Mix". BAG2 was one of the first games I remember with the Anti-Modchip protection so you had to input a Gameshark/Pro Action Replay code to bypass the intro check. Although, I did hear there was a patch available you could apply to a ripped version of the game to allow it not to check.

When I put the game in and start up the emu it gets to the checkpoint and puts up the black screen with white japanese text and the red "NO" symbol. It roughly says the game requires a JP machine to work.

[hushypushy]

Try ripping the game with subchannel data, or enabling subchannel reading in your CD plugin. That gets rid of the EU games' protection (i.e. FF9), it might work for the J games as well.

[Melanogaster]

enabling subchannel reading in your CD plugin.

Heh... "pSX does not use blablabla (...)", but I understand you. :p

[hushypushy]

Oh yeah. I always forget what section I'm posting in :p

pSX reads subchannel data from ISOs, yeah?

[Melanogaster]

Since v1.7, yes...

[Gamesoul Master]

@replicant: I've never had a chance to test it, but considering that NTSC-U games with that exact kind of protection can be played with a PAL BIOS, I find it quite possible that a NTSC-J could be played the same way. Could you possibly test running the game with a PAL BIOS such as DTLH-3002 or SCPH-1002? I'd *really* like to know if the technique can be used to bypass copy protection in NTSC-J games. Honestly, I think it'll work, but I'd like to know for sure.

[replicant]

@replicant: I've never had a chance to test it, but considering that NTSC-U games with that exact kind of protection can be played with a PAL BIOS, I find it quite possible that a NTSC-J could be played the same way. Could you possibly test running the game with a PAL BIOS such as DTLH-3002 or SCPH-1002? I'd *really* like to know if the technique can be used to bypass copy protection in NTSC-J games. Honestly, I think it'll work, but I'd like to know for sure.

Through testing it does not work with either dtlh-3002 or scph-1002.
You still come up to the same anti-mod screen.

It also does not work with JP Bios SCPH-5000 or SCPH-7000.
The disc spins up and goes past the intro PSone splash screen, then it's the same anti-mod screen. I guess the way pSX goes through its cycles it still triggers like a modded machine. :(

[Gamesoul Master]

::Sigh:: That figures. Well, thank you at least for trying. I guess protected NTSC-J games are a monster all their own... :/