Now that the release is imminent, I have a few questions.

[Demitel]

I've been following this site on and off for nearly seven years now (after I played ToP for the first time), and now that the project is nearing completion, I'm a little curious about some things. I've already bought my copy of the PSX ToP, and I was wondering how the patch will be applied. I've understood thus far that it's something like an ISO image or something that could be patched to the disc itself, right? If so, what kind of software would be required to do so? I have the unregistered version of PowerISO (which will write/edit up to 300MB), so would that work for the patching process?

Also, I thought I'd seen this somewhere in this forum before, but I couldn't find the topic with the search function. This disc should be able to play on a PS2 or a backwards-compatible PS3 (both NTSC, so no worries), correct? I have an emulator that seems to run the game just fine (with an occasional/rare graphics glitch), but if anyone has definite knowledge regarding it, that'd be cool too. It would just be nice to play ToP on a console for the first time (for me, anyway). 

Anyway, thanks in advance.

[ForceCube]

I've understood thus far that it's something like an ISO image or something that could be patched to the disc itself, right?

The "ISO image" isn't the patch. It's the image of the disc itself, which you must rip using a program such as ImgBurn (which I recommend) or PowerISO (which you have). Then you will have to apply the patch to the image.

And btw, ISOs are only used to DVD games. For a CD game like ToP you will have to create a BIN and a CUE file. But the process is about the same.

As for the patching process, you shouldn't worry. Cless will surely include a readme with instructions along with it, and it should be fairly simple anyway.

I have the unregistered version of PowerISO (which will write/edit up to 300MB), so would that work for the patching process?

I'm almost sure you won't be able to create a ToP ISO with that size limit. If I recall it's about 350MB in size, so the program won't convert it. Search for similar programs that are freeware (such as the one I mentioned, ImgBurn) and you will be able to make your image just fine.

This disc should be able to play on a PS2 or a backwards-compatible PS3 (both NTSC, so no worries), correct?

Not sure about PS3 (Cless might know), but I'm pretty sure it will run on a PS2. As long as it's modded, of course.

[habilain]

Basically, you have to be able to rip the disc in BIN/CUE format. I think ImgBurn is what's being recommended for Windows users for this. (BTW, ImgBurn is probably a better choice than PowerISO for most things, as it's freeware and has most of the actually useful features of PowerISO). After that, we should have our own patcher program which takes the image you made and patches it. If you then wanted it on a CD, you'd have to burn the image.

As for playing on a real console, if the console is able to play backups it should work. The topic where there was a lot of discussion about this is here. An executive summary is that PAL PS3's may experience some issues, and PAL PS2/3's experience the usual slowdown, but other than that it should all be good.

Edit: Also, the image is about 600MB. Not 350.

[Demitel]

Thanks for the quick replies and the clarification. I'll look into ImgBurn. Also, I knew I had seen a discussion of the PS3 issue somewhere, I just couldn't remember where. But yeah, I have a NTSC 60GB model, so I hopefully shouldn't run into any snags. If not, like I said, oh well. I'll play it on an emulator.

[Kratos Aurion]

So I need to get me a Copy of the Game to play this when it’s done? Or will it be a ROM release.   Sorry I’m new and I’m not quiet sure how this will all works yet.  Also if I do need the original game what programs will my computer and playstation or ps2 need?  Do I need a Japanese PSX or PS2?

[habilain]

We'll be supplying a patch. To use the patch you need a correct BIN/CUE image of the game, and the way that we're recommending people to get this is by ripping a game CD, though it can be obtained from other sources. If you're ripping the game yourself, you'll need something that can rip CDs; we're recommending ImgBurn. To play the game on a PS you'd need to have a mod chipped PS1, PS2 or PS3 of any region (though PAL region PS2/PS3 consoles may have some problems). However, you should be able to also play it on a PSX emulator, even on relatively old machines now, or you can use a PSP.

[Gamesoul Master]

Besides that, you'd also be able to play the game on a PS1 or PS2 (not slim) that isn't modded by using a boot disc (they make special boot discs that you can use, or you could even use something like a GameShark Lite (dirt cheap), which is what I use). Most of those boot discs you can buy online for $20-30. The GameShark Lite can be easily bought on eBay (still in its factory packaging) for $10 or less (and yes, that's $10 *after* shipping costs). I know that particular item works on the original PS1 and PS2, and doesn't work on the slim PS2 (haven't had a chance to try the slim PS1).

[I.S.T.]

And btw, ISOs are only used to DVD games.

This is incorrect. ISOs came to be known as the catch-all name for disc images due to being one of the first(If not THE first) types of images that you can make from CDs.

[habilain]

This is incorrect. ISOs came to be known as the catch-all name for disc images due to being one of the first(If not THE first) types of images that you can make from CDs.

If you really want to be correct, ISO in this context actually refers to a specific type of disc image, that specified in the ISO-9660 Specification (ISO is an abbreviation of International Organisation for Standard Setting, although the abbreviation comes from its French name, if memory serves). A CUE-based image is NOT usually an ISO image; the ones referred to here certainly are not as they'd include EDC/ECC data, and maybe other things as well (I'm not an expert on what's in those files, really).

As to if ISOs are useful for DVD games? Not certain, really, as I've never looked into it. As an educated guess, I'd say that it all depends on the type of copy protection that needs to be beaten. For PSX games it seems BIN/CUE is necessary to beat the copy protection.

Edit: Urk. Forgot that ISO images can be in different modes, i.e. potentially include EDC/ECC data - though it's not intended to be as such. Still, ISO-9660 is not equivelant to CUE-based, I think.

[I.S.T.]

If you really want to be correct, ISO in this context actually refers to a specific type of disc image, that specified in the ISO-9660 Specification (ISO is an abbreviation of International Organisation for Standard Setting, although the abbreviation comes from its French name, if memory serves).

That's what I said. >.>

[habilain]

That's what I said. >.>

I'm just correcting you on saying that ISO is a "catch all" name. It isn't, though some people use it as such, and this tends to lead to confusion. That's all, and apologies as I didn't make myself clear in the first post.

Anyway, let's move on as the entire conversation is off topic.

[Esper]

Does the PS2 HAVE to be modchipped? I have a Slim PS2 with two Swap Magic 3 CDs (one is for CDs and the other is for DVDs) with a Flip Top. Will a patched imported ToP or burned game work on it? I have ToDr: DC in the mail and the Swap Magic CD itself works...

Also, if I patch the ToP PSX game itself, is that permanent? Will I be able to unpatch it?

[Rmarques]

Does the PS2 HAVE to be modchipped? I have a Slim PS2 with two Swap Magic 3 CDs (one is for CDs and the other is for DVDs) with a Flip Top. Will a patched imported ToP or burned game work on it?

A burned PS2 game will, but a burned PSOne game will only work if you get the PSone Equivalent to Swap Magic. I can't remember the names of the ones available right now, but I'll look into it.

[Kogahazan]

There's a ps1 swap disc called breaker pro I think. But if you have swap magic set up, you can do the ghetto risky method for ps1 games. Have a real ps1 disc and load it up. When it gets to the playstation logo screen, take it out (yes, the disc is spinning, that's the risky part) and put in the other game and it should work. Again, this should work if your ps2 is already set up for swap magic.

[Esper]

Wait, but the Swap Magic site says my version of Swap Magic (3.6 plus) supports "almost all SEGA ROMS, SNES ROMS, PS1 & PS2 Games!!"? Well, okay...

Just incase, I'll try and get a cheap import copy... In the read-me, I hope the patch instructions will be simple enough for someone who has no idea what they're doing to follow. xD

[Kogahazan]

Yeah, that site's wrong. Swap magic is for PS2 games only.