PS1/2 Is there a way to play imports with an original disc?

[UltraSUPRA]

I have a US fat PS2.
I'm planning on installing FreeMCBoot on it eventually.
I really want to play Beatmania IIDX 3rd Style.
I'm gonna get an original disc.
I'm not gonna get another system for only a few games.

I've heard that Swap Magic works well, but that would need me to modify the exterior of the system and it'll just look ugly. So I'm not doing that.

Basically, I want to use actual Japanese discs without ripping them into ISOs, without an ugly mod or a second system.

 

[tech3475]

AFAIK with originals, no.

I'm curious, why does it HAVE to be originals? Personally I would on a fat opt for an internal HDD.

edit:

Of course there is also the modchip route, but I've heard that can be a pain.

 

[UltraSUPRA]

AFAIK with originals, no.

I'm curious, why does it HAVE to be originals? Personally I would on a fat opt for an internal HDD.

edit:

Of course there is also the modchip route, but I've heard that can be a pain.

I don't want to keep a useless game but I want to play Beatmania 3rd Style.
I also have no soldering skills or experience whatsoever.

 

[Ryccardo]

Strictly speaking you don't need a case mod to do the swap trick (as long as you're fine leaving off the top cover of the console and the drive)

...and that's the best you can get within your arbitrary limits of (played directly from original disc) and (no chip), since discs are verified in hardware by the mechacon as they are inserted

 

[Alexander1970]

AFAIK with originals, no.

I'm curious, why does it HAVE to be originals? Personally I would on a fat opt for an internal HDD.

edit:

Of course there is also the modchip route, but I've heard that can be a pain.

Yes,you say it...

 

[Lumstar]

I thought there was a way to use a slide card to install imports to HDD.
It's something of a chicken-or-egg problem. Although games installed on a hard drive are region free, the HDD doesn't let the DVD drive read imports or backups to install them directly.

 

[tech3475]

I thought there was a way to use a slide card to install imports to HDD.
It's something of a chicken-or-egg problem. Although games installed on a hard drive are region free, the HDD doesn't let the DVD drive read imports or backups to install them directly.

It can be done over a network or taking the HDD out and plugging it into a PC, using the PC to rip the disc.

 

[UltraSUPRA]

Strictly speaking you don't need a case mod to do the swap trick (as long as you're fine leaving off the top cover of the console and the drive)

...and that's the best you can get within your arbitrary limits of (played directly from original disc) and (no chip), since discs are verified in hardware by the mechacon as they are inserted

My mom cares about the appearance of a game room. I don't think I'd be allowed to take off the disc tray cover.

 

[TunaKetchup]

My mom cares about the appearance of a game room. I don't think I'd be allowed to take off the disc tray cover.

Wait...what?