loading retail ntsc-j on ntsc-u system?

[vegeta4ss]

I recently won a ntsc-j game on ebay (Marisola Stars 2 Chu!) but I cannot get it to load on my system, which is NTSC-U. I can't find any info online about it being a known issue that just doesn't work so I joined and posted here to see about some other options to get it running. I realize most of the forum is emulation based but I hope some of you still play with the actual system too that could maybe help me.

Utopia stops loading at ~95% but it does identify the disc and change the disc artwork while loading.

I see mentioned a "Action replay cdx demo" that is supposed to allow ntsc systems to load import titles but I can't find a good copy that works out on the web.

Are there any other options out there other than these two without doing a modchip or a bios region change?

[BlueCrab]

You could try my PSO patcher, as it loads many import games just fine. Just ignore the messages about the game not being PSO, and it should "just work", as long as the game itself isn't odd in any way.

Here's the link: http://code.google.com/p/sylverant/downloads/list

[vegeta4ss]

thanks BlueCrab

[cube_b3]

Even if there are light scratches on the game.
Utopia used to choke.

I just used Cd-X in cases like this.