I'm thinking about translating PS2 Standard Daisenryaku: The Lost Victory for my next project.

I have extracted the files in the iso and found the shift-JIS text that appears to be used in
the dialog screens and mission briefings.  I would like to try to make some changes,
reinsert the files into the iso and see if the translated text is displayed correctly or
it breaks the program.

I believe that the .iso format compresses the files, so I will need some utility to
reinsert the modified files back into the .iso.

I have seen some programs called MagicISO, PowerISO, and UltraISO that claim to
allow you to edit ISOs.  However the maximum file size that the trial version lets
you work with is 300 Meg.  I would hate to drop $30 on the full version, only to find
out that it is not suitable after all.

Another thread here mentioned the CDMage tool.  I don't know whether it can
handle iso file sizes that approach a DVD's capacity.

I would appreciate it if anyone that has worked  with modifying PS2 isos
would weigh in with their experiences and recommendations.

I could try to edit the iso file directly with a Hex Editor, but it is over 3GB in size.  I don't know
if my Hex Editor will handle it.  One of the files where I located shift JIS text is only 64K in size.
It would be easier to work with that file and then replace the old version of the file with the
new one in the iso.

In my current project, I am editing a Dreamcast .cdi file directly.  That is a pain, because
every 2K or so they throw in a junk 288 bytes of filler.  I was worried about the same
thing in the .iso format.

Thanks for your reply.

As I feared, my regular Hex Editor choked on the 3GB iso file.  XVI32 can only handle files up to 2GB in size.

But I found a different free Hex Editor on the Web that can handle files of any size.  It is called
Hex Editor Neo.  I was able to open up the iso file, and search for the first row of the
starting campaign briefing.  I changed the text, and the modified iso started up fine and
displayed the characters correctly.

I was worried about whether the PS2 would display the half width 7 bit ASCII characters OK,
but it was fine.

I would still like to know if there is a good utility for replacing files in a large iso file,
but it looks like I can get by without it. 

Now the temptation will be to start working on this new project before I finish up the current project.
That always seems to happen for some reason...

I agree. I've done some disc editing in my time, and this method is the safest possible for ISO editing.

MagicISO and UltraISO can both reinsert the files too but sometimes they change the disk layout and that could let u with a disk that is not working anymore on real hardware.

I've been playing around with translating some PS1 games.  Based upon what I've read and come across, as long as you aren't importing files that are LARGER than the originals, CDMage works like a charm.

Otherwise, you'll need to use tools like the TOC Changer or mkisofs to do the dirty work because larger files mess up the LBA or something.  I've obviously been avoiding that like the plague so I can't offer more help (yet).  Read Cless's PSX Translation Doc for some more info as well.

Lol.  What up, Gid.  Overtasked as always, I take it?   ^ ^

Never really left, I guess.  Just realized my limitations and let the real nerds do the hacking.  That said, I got a bit of my groove back, so I plan on glancing over a few games as time permits.  Digging my way through PS1 technical docs is already making me regret that decision, though...   :beer: