Sony Console Region
From SDA Knowledge Base
Contents
Sega Consoles
todo: Add video links or website links showing detailed instructions.
Update PSP, PS3 and PS4 sections to include articles about DLC restrictions(?) and look up on region free bios chips for PS1 consoles and PS2 consoles.
Playstation One
| Identical names? | Varies on the model. Days before the PS2 was revealed, the console was called PSX. By the time PS2 was coming out, Sony released a smaller PSX model and they renamed it as PSOne. |
| Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC/PAL-M speeds? | No, it looks like there's inconsistent performance issues when using a PAL machine to run NTSC imports |
| PS1 console Method 1 (Japanese games playing on a Western System and vice versa) | Disk Swapping methods. Newer PS1 models |
| PS1 console Method 2 (Japanese games playing on a Western System and vice versa) | Region Free Bios mod like a ONEchip The main advantage it enables stealth mode and allows to play Anti-mod imports like Final Fantasy VIII and Metal Gear Solid. PS1 region lock history and new restrictions added to later games. |
| Playstation 2 Method 1 (Japanese PS1 games playing on a Western PS2 System and vice versa) | You need FreeMcBoot and psxlauncher.elf. This won't work on a PS2-9xxxx (newest model) as Sony fixed the exploit needed. FreeMCBoot video |
| Playstation 2 Method 2 (Japanese PS1 games playing on a Western PS2 System and vice versa) | Breaker Pro Click here |
| Playstation 2 Method 3 (Japanese PS1 games playing on a Western PS2 System and vice versa) | Modbo 4.0 chip compatible for V5-16 or a Modbo 5.0 chip which supports later models including the 90000 series. Click here to buy For model list, Click here or here For installation guide (slim) Click here (phat) click here |
PS1 notes:
Not every PS1 game is compatible on any/certain PS2 models. List
The smaller/newer PSOne model uses an external power supply so a NTSC console is compatible with a EUROPEAN/UK OFFICIAL AC adapter/power supply. Import friendly in UK/Europe
Physical PS1 games works on PS3 but the region compatibility is based on the console's region. UK/EU = PAL PS1, US = NTSC-U PS1 and NTSC-J = JP PS1
Playstation 2
| Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds? | Some PS2 games supports 60hz as PAL60 mode. Those games requires no modifications but other games like Metal Gear Solid are only 50hz click here to view incomplete list. It is better to get a NTSC console. |
| Method 1 (Western Console playing Japanese games) | Swap Magic, the instructions varies on the model used. PS2 Phat PS2 Slim |
| Method 2 (Western NTSC Console playing later Japanese games) | Modbo 4.0 or Modbo 5.0 (Unconfirmed) |
PS2 notes
Swap Magic method is not compatible with Dual Layered DVDs. List of Dual Layered PS2 games.
PS2 games can be region free on a PS3 but they have to be played through a USB device making it not SDA-Legal. A good amount of PS2 games are compatible to be played on very early PS3 models Click here to see the list
Playstation 3
| Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds? | The console is region free with the exception of two games. One is a defunct Karaoke game and the other (Persona 4 Arena) is out in Europe. |
DLC notes
Most games (99%) are region free. Meaning you can import them with no concerns. However, all PSN codes (inc DLC) are country-locked. Eg Titles from the UK will ONLY work with UK DLC codes. Also, UK DLC codes will only redeem from UK PSN accounts.
So to clarify, if you purchase a UK title, only UK DLC codes will work, and only a UK PSN can redeem the code.
If you purchase a title from the US, only US DLC codes will work, and only a US PSN account will be able to redeem the codes.
On PS3/ PS4, you can work around this. Once the content is downloaded to the console, all other users have access to the content. Should the game and DLC match (eg both from UK) all other users can play regardless of the PSN account set country.
You can create a new PSN account in a different country and use PSN cards to add funds to that account.
However since the Vita has some serious issues with changing PSN user, you should avoid this. If you want to purchase DLC, make sure you can redeem it from your PSN account.
That is to say if you have a UK PSN account, only buy UK games. As you will be able to buy and use the DLC easily. If you don't want to purchase any DLC, you can buy freely.
Playstation 4
| Can a PAL console be modified to function or even match NTSC speeds? | The console is region free for physical games and so far there isn't any region locked games. DLC content still follows the region lock formula, similar to Playstation 3. |
