Well you could mod a psx but a modded ps2 will also play both ps2 and psx originals, imports and backups. I have a ps2 with dms3 and I haven't found a game it won't play yet. It plays anti-mod games too. You can pick up a non working console sold as parts on ebay cheap if they are selling it because of the dreaded "disc read error" and it's a ps2 version 1-3 you can mail call up sony's 1-800 number tell them the model # and tell them it's giving you "disc read error" and they will fix it for free. Now that's a cheap ps2. Sony had a class action lawsuit that they lost on these early consoles. They may not like it but they have to fix it for free if it's the right model number. Most people don't know this so very few get turned in. You can then either sell as a working ps2 or get it modded by someone reliable like
www.norcalmods.com or
www.socalmods.com. You can look up on google yourself. Just type in sony class action and you should be able to find the info. Go to the ps2 section and read ultimate info sticky. That will help too. Any questions reply or pm me.