The legendary game cheat devices, Action Replay 2 (http://www.codejunkies.com/) and Game Shark 2 (http://www.gameshark.com/), have an important usage when combined with certain modification chips to boot up CDR/DVDR backups. However this is not what I want to discuss. In fact, I'd like to write a guide on how to determine the Action Replay 2 / Game Shark 2 versions.

These devices have many different versions. Does it seem Datel and Interact have never done it right for PS2 cheat catridge? No. This is only relevant to update of cheat codes, the software of AR2 as well as in respect to different PS2's versions. Available for Jap, US and PAL PS2.

The picture [A] on the left shows us the older version of ActionReplay2 v1.1-9x. Inside the box includes 1 dongle (memory card for ActionReplay2 cheat codes and software), 1 cheat codes disc for PS 2 games and 1 cheat codes disc for PSX games. This release is not compatible with PS model number with 'R' suffix.

The picture [B] shows us the newer version of Action Replay 2. This release has an important major upgrade of its feature, that is DVD Region X combined and compatible with PS2 model number with 'R' suffix.

The picture [C] shows us the box of GameShark2. Since its first release, it does not have a box's designed changes. Thus finding its version is even more difficult. It used to have a sticker on the box showing its version. However these days, you would probably find the version you want NOT from the big retailers, such as EB Games, GameStop or else. Modchip sellers, on the other hand, usually (not always) tell you what version they have.

You can find it anyway, if you break the manufacturer's hard plastic sealed package, open the box and take the cheat disc out. So if you guys buy a Action Replay 2 or GameShark2 and wonder what version you get, please look at the picture below.