PS2 Solution comparisons:

Boots direct
Requires swapping
A patch is needed

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Solution Cost
Device Name
Developer
 
Media Compatibility
PS1 CD-R
PS1 CD silver
PS2 CD-R
PS2 DVD-R
PS2 DVD silver
PS2 CD silver
Boot of EA Sports games (backup)
Boot of EA Sports games (original import)
CD-R 80min support
PS1 original imports
PS2 original imports
PS2 DVD9 Format
 
Swap Disc
Requires swap disc
If yes, what can be used
 
DVD features
Disables Macrovision
Multi Region DVD playback
 
Installation
Number of wires
Number of soldering points
Installation grade
 
Hardware compatibility
V1 US/JAP NTSC
V2 US/JAP NTSC
V3 US/JAP NTSC
V4 US/JAP NTSC
V5 US/JAP NTSC
V6 US/JAP NTSC
V7/8 US/JAP NTSC
V9 US/JAP NTSC
V3 SCPH-30002 PAL
V4 SCPH-30002 PAL
V5 SCPH-30002 R PAL
V6 SCPH-30002 R PAL
V7 SCPH-39002 PAL
V9 SCPH-50002 PAL
Notes:
$40 or $170(inst)
BlueX-5
BlueChip
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
25
50
Professionals only
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Very reliable, Fast loading, V9 only, 100% no swap
mod chip.
$38 or $145(inst)
DUO Chip
Team Omega
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
17
34
Relatively skilled
 
 
Duo2 only
Duo2 only
Very reliable, & good Value for Money 100% no swap mod chip.
$30 or $145(inst)
Apple Pro
Apple Team
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
22
44
Professionals only
 
 
 
 
Very Reliable, & Best Value for Money 100% no swap mod chip.
$85 or $180(inst)
Messiah2 V2
Channel Technologies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
24
48
Professionals only
 
 
The Sequal to the first 100% no
swap mod chip.
$100 or $210(inst)
DMS3
DMS
Technologies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yes
 Yes - is flash
 upgradeable
 
 
22
44
Professionals only
 
 
DMS3 V9 only
DMS3 V9 only
Best Feature set, 100% no swap
mod chip. Is Flash upgrade able
$25 or $115(inst)
Apple Chip 2
Apple Team
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
22
44
Professionals only
 
 
 
 
For all Versions
Inc. V7 (39002)
More stable
than Magic3
 $35 or $130(inst)
Magic Chip 3.1
China-Magic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
22
44
Professionals only
 
 

Only GAP BIOS
 
 
For all Versions
Inc. V7 (39002)
$55 or $75(inst)
R-MOD V4
Unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
required!
Action Replay
DVD RegionX
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
 
 
Very easy
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Plug and Play

Cheat codes &
DVD Movies when
using an AR2 or RegionX

$55 or $75(inst)
R-MOD V5/V6
Unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
required!
Action Replay
DVD RegionX
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
 
 
Very easy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Plug and Play

Cheat codes &
DVD Movies when
using an AR2 or RegionX

$12.50 or $50(inst)
Neokey SBOX
NEO technologies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
required!
Action Replay
DVD RegionX
 
 
 
Only when using
AR2 or RegionX
 
 
1
2
Some Skill
 
 

 
Works but not 100% reliable
 
Works but not 100% reliable
 
If installed with an
R-MOD, all PS2 backups including EA and DVD-R will boot. Cheat codes & DVD movies when using the AR2 or RegionX