Kingdom Hearts Final Mix / Imported PS2 games

[Umbra]

So I have a question for everyone here. I have a few questions about importing Japanese PS2 games. Firstly, if anyone here has played the Final Mix versions of the Kingdom Hearts games -- would it be worth importing them? Like, is there any decisive advantage of Final Mix over the US versions? (I've heard that KH2 Final Mix was noticeably better but wanted some input) They're not very expensive to import from what I've seen, around the same price if not cheaper than getting the games in the US.

Also, assuming that I have a means to play Japanese PS2 games (either by getting an import console or simply emulating via ripping ROMs), does anyone know of any import-friendly PS2 games? Or any PS2 games that have had translation patches (similar to the patches for FF5 on SNES)? I've heard of translation patches for certain PS2 games so I imagine there are some that I've not heard of.

[Mel]

Do you have Kingdom Hearts Remix games for PS3 because those included the Final Mix versions?

[Umbra]

I don't have a PS3, so no. I was thinking of importing the Final Mix games and just emulating them via PC since removing the region-lock seems like a lot of hassle and risk just for two games, and importing a NTSC-J PS2 is still pretty costly.

I already own the PS2 versions of Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2, just wondering if the Final Mix would be worth importing since I've heard KH2 Final Mix is a noticeably better version of the game.

[RealPlumpBox]

Also, assuming that I have a means to play Japanese PS2 games (either by getting an import console or simply emulating via ripping ROMs), does anyone know of any import-friendly PS2 games? Or any PS2 games that have had translation patches (similar to the patches for FF5 on SNES)? I've heard of translation patches for certain PS2 games so I imagine there are some that I've not heard of.

Just get a hard mod kit.  They are cheap and easy to do.   Get the case mod and Swap Majic.

[Umbra]

Unless I'm mistaken the thing with Swap Magic is that the tray plate has to be removed and the swap trick has to be done every single time you play an import, correct?

[RealPlumpBox]

Unless I'm mistaken the thing with Swap Magic is that the tray plate has to be removed and the swap trick has to be done every single time you play an import, correct?

Yes.  It is a bout a 10 minute process to actually change out the casing, and when you want to use imports you just put in swap magic and swap it out for the correct game.  That part takes 30 sec.  I have been using it for 5 years and never once had an issue.

[Umbra]

I'll consider it. Any games other than Final Mix that are actually import-friendly / have translation patches?

[RealPlumpBox]

I'll consider it. Any games other than Final Mix that are actually import-friendly / have translation patches?

Not sure.  All my Imports are Shmups so there really is no reading involved.  Other here may have some suggestions though.

[Umbra]

Didn't know there were many shmups on PS2... I've been wanting to expand my collection (regardless of region) but I only really know of the main releases that pretty much everyone has (including me).

[RealPlumpBox]

PS2 has a massive amount.  Well not nearly as many as the Saturn but it is a close 2nd, or 3rd with the amount it has. 

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sony/ps2/the-playstation-2-ps2-shmups-library

I own almost all of them.  Also I DO NOT count side scrolling games as shmups not games on rails lke Starfox.

[Thom Grayson]

Do you have Kingdom Hearts Remix games for PS3 because those included the Final Mix versions?

This really seems like the best solution quality-wise, unless you are really concerned about getting it on the original console.

At least until Square Enix hits us with Kingdom Hearts Final Remix on the PS4

[Umbra]

This really seems like the best solution quality-wise, unless you are really concerned about getting it on the original console.

I'm not exactly concerned about getting on the original console per se; It just so happens that I don't have a PS3 and don't really have much reason to get one. Like I said, I already have Kingdom Hearts / KH2, just wondering if the Final Mix versions were worth the import, or if there are any other good games worth importing. I've been trying to work on collecting little by little for PS2 but I don't really know enough about the console to know where to look (I was always an Xbox kind of guy).

[Mel]

The text in the Kingdom Hearts Final Mix is still in Japanese but, the voice overs are in English for Kingdom Hearts Final Mix games for the Playstation 2.

[Umbra]

The text in the Kingdom Hearts Final Mix is still in Japanese but, the voice overs are in English for Kingdom Hearts Final Mix games for the Playstation 2.

For both of them? I know about the first game, wasn't sure about the second.

[Mel]

Yes, The second game is the same Kingdom Hearts Final Mix with English voice overs and Japanese text.