hi there,
I am buying a US set tomorrow, but I will not get the modified one, cos alot of complain and couldn't find the games. the DVD copied games is expensive too, around $30. and the CD copied game sometimes they axed away the movie.
Anyway, right now you can buy a device from US that can converted your PS2 into a modified set too, without changing the chip using the mod-chip. go to this link
www.mod-chip.comRight now, a m-set is around $780 to play all games and $688 to play certain games, but on top of that you must get the memory card, Action replay 2 which will goes to $900 or $1000.
See if help you.
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May the force be with you