I'd like to start playing IIDX

Hi everyone!

I have Beatmania US, and I'm growing tired of the songs on it(even if there are some really good ones too!) so I'd like to import probably Gold DistorteD Red and Happy Sky, the problem is I don't have a modded PS2. Is it hard to buy what I need to mod it and is it hard to mod it or can I find someone somewhere who can install it for me? Where can I buy the games and whatever I need to mod my PS2?

Also do you think I'd rather buy a japanese PS2 instead?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I have a similar interest, though I'd rather import a japanese PS2 than mod. So I'd be happy if you could post links to known good dealers.
I'm also kind of afraid of getting RSI from playing too much though. I can feel the tendons in my hands moving funny after playing too much Stepmania 2-hand spread. >_<

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It'd cost just as much to mod your ps2 than to just buy a Japanese ps2. Also if you're a noob then avoid RED because the old system is much more confusing than the new one.

http://www.play-asia.com is probably your best bet.

which version of the ps2 do you have, the fat or slim model?

I say just get a SwapMagic. It's just a disk that allows you to run burned and imported PS2 games. The only thing is, you'll need to do some quick modding on the PS2, fat or slim. It runs you about $40 rather than spending nearly $200 to get a JP PS2. If you're still interested in getting a JP PS2, then you might want to pick up more than just IIDX or any other Bemani games to make it worth your time.

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I agree with delirious, however I would suggest getting a flip top for your ps2. It is sooo much easier than a slide card.

I wish I had a slim My friend forgot to get me the slide card, so I just leave my PS2 with the top off...

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I have a slim PS2 and I'm improving in the game, I can do most 5 and some 6 even one or two 7 on Hyper only though. What's different in RED? And how does Swap Magic work? And where can I get it? Thanks for all your tips BTW!

From RED to HAPPY SKY, the rating system was changed. The highest difficulty in RED was 8, and in HS it was expanded to 12 to display difficulty much more clearly.
Kind of like what people think DDR is in need of.

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I see! But I got a really important question : does clearing a song have the same requirements as Beatmania US, cause I think having to stay over 80% for the end of the song is sometime really cruel I'm just thniking about Bad Boy Bass or Fly Through the Night Hyper, where I get at 100% without a problem up to the end of the song where the song gets real harder! Well it's not that bas in Fly Through the Night but Bad Boy Bass is a little crazy in the end!

Yeah, that's the same in all the other games, sorry.
It is really annoying when the song is easy until a giant WTF stream of notes comes by at the end which sinks your life bar down.
I usually use the Hard modifier for these sorts of things.. It starts your bar at 100% and you only need to make sure it doesn't go down to 0% and you'll pass.
I use it as a sort of handicap

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Great! Thanks for the tip!

I like giving myself challenges. Try this:

HISPEED2.0
RANDOM
MIRROR
HARD

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Ouch, playing with the Hard modifier made me realize I needed a lot more practice after all! I'll keep the usual scoring system I think!

BTW, can anyone tell me how the Swap Magic works? Is it a CD and can I get it too from Play-Asia? Cause I'd take them all at the same time to minimize the shipping costs!

Thanks again in advance!

Don't try the HARD modifier if you are confident that you miss only 1 note every 50 notes at least.

I have beatmania US too, I can only do a 3 which I bet is completely newby. I've been praticing, I can now beat V from DJ Taka with a B, yay

Awesome, keep going.

I suggest modchip.ca, shipping is cheap and fast (only took a week), only bad side no paypal.

Swap Magic works by inserting the the DVD Driver and when it stops, you swap it with the import(or backup) DVD and press X.

I have swap magic, and I was thinking about getting Happy Sky, just for one reason. I like the theme. I was also thinking about getting the one which has Bloody Tears on it.

Thanks!

Don't worry simply beating a song is good! And V isn't exactly the easiest, so I think you deserve congratulating! Since when did you start playing? I've been playing for some months, and I had a real hard time going from Normal to Hyper, and I still can't pass more than 3 or 4 songs on Hyper...