I really want to play Tales of Symphonia, which is out on PS2 in Japan, and not the US. And, I own a PS2, but not a Gamecube.

So, I want a mod chip so I can import it. Does anyone know how to get one so I can play Japanese games?

(Or somehow play Gamecube games without a Gamecube?)

Do you speak enough Japanese to play a game in Japanese?

Also, I thought Japan used the same format for games as America (NTSC).

No, I don't. But it hasn't stopped me before. I have four Super Famicom games and I play them with a walkthrough/translation. (Star Ocean 1, Tales of Phantasia, Seiken Densetsu 3, and Ys 5).

So, are you saying I could just import a PS2 game and play? Because my friend needs a mod chip to play Gradius Gaiden.

Haha, playing with a translation guide. It would only be marginally more effort to learn the language.

I've always thought that Japan and America had the same video format, and I'm still pretty sure they do. But Sony might have something programmed into their games (both first- and third-party) that prevents games from one region being played on a console from another.

If so, I don't think I can help you. I don't have connections with modders in Boston.

I'm fairly certain most games are region coded, so you would either have to mod your PS2.

It would probably be cheaper to buy a used Gamecube.

I wonder how cheap those would be...(I'm trying to avoid that because I don't want to buy a Gamecube just for a single game).

Right now I'm trying to see if I can borrow one from my father's girlfriend's kids, if they haven't gotten rid of it for some reason yet.

Buy a cube, man, for three games: u can find one for way less than $100 probably 30-60, really: Tales of Symphonia, Fire Emblem, and The New Legend of Zelda. not to mention zelda master collection, windwaker, f-Zero, super smash bros., Tales is worth it, too...