Magic 3.1 Test Review

[charlie_ps2]

Here is the game test result for the original, genuine MAGIC 3.1 tested on a US v7, GH-019. The chip was kindly supplied to me by Console24.com

My overall impression is that the Magic 3.1 is an improvement on Magic 3.0, albeit with some inability to boot certain games in common with Magic 3. DVD9 support has been added as with a magic 3.1 chip switch off mode for booting anti-mod protected games.

Xenosaga DVD9 NTSC-J Direct Boot------------------------OK
Xenosaga DVD9 NTSC-J Booted behind AR2/GS2--------------OK
Gran Turismo Concept DVD9 "Silver" NTSC-J Direct Boot---1 in 6

FF X NTSC-U DVD original---------------------OK
GTA3 PAL DVD original------------------------OK
DOA2 NTSC-J DVD Original---------------------OK

GTA3 PAL DVD-R (Princo)----------------------2 in 8
Tony Hawks 3 PAL DVD-R-----------------------OK
Headhunter PAL DVD-R-------------------------OK

EA NBA Street NTSC-U CD-R--------------------OK
Twisted MB Kalisto Rip CD-R------------------OK
GT3 Rip NTSC-U CD-R--------------------------NO (RSOD)
Tony Hawks 3 Rip NTSC-U CD-R----------------NO (RSOD)
Woody Woodpecker NTSC-U CD-R-----------------NO (RSOD)

FF IX NTSC-J PS1 Original--------------------OK
FF IX NTSC-U PS1 CD-R------------------------OK
Syphonfilter 3 NTSC-U PS1 CD-R---------------OK
Spyro NTSC-U PS1 Original (Anti-Mod)---------Switch Off Mode
Spyro NTSC-U PS1CD-R (Anti-Mod)--------------NO

AR2/GS2 GTA3 Orig. With Codes----------------OK
AR2/GS2 GTA3 DVD-R With Codes----------------2 in 8

Toystory NTSC-U Movie------------------------OK
PAL Movie------------------------------------Not Tested

Boot on EJECT--------------------------------NO
Always Boot on Reset-------------------------NO
Switch off Mode------------------------------YES

I regard the Messiah 2 as the benchmark modchip. All the games in the list that either didn't boot or which booted occasionally but not always on Magic 3.1, booted perfectly first time every time with Messiah 2. The magic family booting strategy still needs improvement in my opinion.