I think I am using the ntsc version from here. my PS2 is SCPH-77001. I didn't think it was a laser issue because the problem also occured when loading the game from my PC with SMB. I will re-grab the ntsc version and do some testing. I really do want to play this game. I may just install the PC version on a laptop that I recently acquired. This is the only game that this problem occurs in. On my PS2 it isn't exactly lag that occurs. It is a looped noise that overlaps itself over and over till its garbled noise. I always thought it was a bad rip that caused it.... but you may be correct about certain model PS2 causing it.
Twenty Minutes Into The Future