PlayStation 2 emulators

PlayStation 2

Original PlayStation 2 with vertical stand
Developer	Sony Computer Entertainment
Manufacturer	Sony Electronics, Foxconn
Type	Home video game console
Generation	Sixth
Release date	4 March 2000
Discontinued	JP: 28 December 2012 WW: 4 January 2013
Predecessor	PlayStation
Successor	PlayStation 3
Emulated	✓

For emulators that run on the PlayStation 2, see Emulators on PlayStation 2.

The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a sixth-generation console released by Sony on October 26, 2000, retailing for $299.99 ($561 in 2026). It featured the Emotion Engine CPU (based on the MIPS R5900 at 300 MHz) with 32 MB of RDRAM system memory and 4 MB of eDRAM (VRAM). Its GPU was a custom Graphics Synthesizer running at 150 MHz. Based on "official" production figures (totaling exactly 160,636,885 units produced between January 2000 and March 2013), the PS2's sales record stands as a significant statistical anomaly. This is particularly evident when compared to popular modern hardware like the Nintendo Switch, which has yet to surpass the PS2's total despite operating in an era with a global population nearly 25% larger and a vastly expanded "gamer" demographic. By capturing such an immense share of a smaller global market, the PS2 achieved a level of market penetration that remains unmatched in the industry, solidifying its position as the highest-selling console of all time and the definitive hardware of the Y2K era.

Announced in 1999, Sony developed the console following the immense success of the original PlayStation. The PlayStation 2 offered backward-compatibility for the DualShock controller as well as its predecessor's game library. A primary driver of its adoption was the inclusion of a DVD player; at launch, the PS2 was often more affordable than standalone DVD players, allowing it to serve as a "Trojan horse" for home entertainment in millions of households.

The PlayStation 2 received widespread critical acclaim upon release. Ultimately, over 4,000 game titles were released worldwide, resulting in over 1.5 billion software copies sold. In 2004, Sony released a smaller, lighter revision known as the PS2 Slim. Even after the launch of the PlayStation 3, the PS2 remained popular well into the seventh generation. Production continued until 2013, marking a twelve-year lifespan—one of the longest of any video game console. By the end of its cycle, the console's influence was so enduring that its final two games were released posthumously.

Comparison

Before editing, review the getting involved and recommended pages. See system requirements page for performance demand of the emulators.
See tables for enhancements, hardware features & peripherals, and arcade hardware variants.
For more details such as licensing, programming language, emulation method, visit each emulator’s dedicated page.

Standalone emulators

Name		Platform(s)	Active?	Latest version	License	Compatibility	PSX DVR	Recommended? (overall)
PC
PCSX2-based	PCSX2		✓	2.8.2 Older builds for obsolete hardware	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	99.59% 2679 out of 2690 reported titles Playable state in the PCSX2 compatibility list purposely doesn't include minor performance and graphical issues. PCSX2 team do not accept issues relating to upscaling at this time. While the compatibility list categorizes majority games as playable, some users may encounter issues that impact their individual experience and consider them unplayable. If you count the Games with known issues from PCSX2 wiki: ~88.44% 2379 out of 2690 reported titles	✗	✓
	PCSX2 Reliquary		✓	1.8.2	GPLv3 (Copyleft)		✗	✓
	PenguinScreen2		✓	1.0-rc2	GPLv3 (Copyleft)		✗	✓
	ARMSX2		✓	2.6.2 (macOS) 2.6.2 (Linux) 2.6.2 (Windows)	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	2.45% 66 out of 2690 titles 66.67% 66 out of 99 reported titles	✗	~
	AetherSX2		✗	1.5-3668 (apk) (no ads) Builds 1.5-4248 (play store latest with ads)‡	Proprietary (stolen PCSX2 code)	16.77% 451 out of 2690 titles 74.06% 451 out of 609 reported titles	✗	✗
Play!			✓	0.77	MIT (Permissive)	47.92% 1289 out of 2690 titles 48.5% 1289 out of 2658 reported titles	✗	~
DobieStation			✗	git Builds	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	0.22% 6 out of 2690 titles 0.5% 6 out of 1212 reported titles	✗	✗
hpsx64			✓	v0490	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	0.11% 3 out of 2690 titles ??% 3 reported titles	✗	✗ (WIP)
Iris			✓	0.20-alpha	MIT	?	✗	✗ (WIP)
NeutrinoSX2 (nSX2)			✗	0.08	GPLv2 (Copyleft)	N/A	✗	✗
orbum			✗	git	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	N/A	✗	✗
PS2emu			✗	0.1	Proprietary	N/A	✗	✗
Mobile
PCSX2-based	NetherSX2		✓	Main git (4248-based) Classic git (3668-based) Turnip (Snapdragon only)	Unlicense (Public domain equivalent) (patch for AetherSX2)	16.77% 451 out of 2690 titles 74.06% 451 out of 609 reported titles (AetherSX2)	✗	✓
	ARMSX2		✓	2.6.9 (Android) 2.5.2 (iOS)	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	2.45% 66 out of 2690 titles 66.67% 66 out of 99 reported titles	✗	~
	EmuCoreX		✓	0.1.4	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	?	✗	~
	AetherSX2		✗	1.5-3668 (apk) (no ads) Builds 1.5-4248 (play store latest with ads)‡	Proprietary (stolen PCSX2 code)	16.77% 451 out of 2690 titles 74.06% 451 out of 609 reported titles	✗	✗
Play!			✓	0.77	MIT (Permissive)	47.92% 1289 out of 2690 titles 48.5% 1289 out of 2658 reported titles	✗	~
Cosmic			✗	git	MIT (Permissive)	14%	✗	✗
DamonPS2 (呆萌PS2模拟器)			✓	5.0	Proprietary (stolen PCSX2 code)	0.59% 16 out of 2690 titles ??% 16 reported titles	✗	✗
Alune			✓	[1]	?	?	✗	?
GamePlaytoo			✓	1.1.3	Proprietary	?	✗	?
iPSX2			✓	v0.2.0dev	?	?	✗	?
Browser
Play!			✓	0.77	MIT (Permissive)	47.92% 1289 out of 2690 titles 48.5% 1289 out of 2658 reported titles	✗	~

Multi-system emulators

Name		Platform(s)	Active?	Latest version	License	Compatibility	PSX DVR	Recommended? (overall)
PC
Mobile
Folium			✓	App Store ($) 2.0 Latest IPA	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	?	✗	?
Provenance			✓	3.3.0 git	?	?	✗	?

Frontend cores

API	Core(s)	Active?	Latest version	License	Compatibility	PSX DVR	Recommended? (overall)
	LRPS2	✓	v2.0.0-2796c00	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	98.18% 2641 out of 2690 reported titles	✗	~
	Play!	✓		MIT (Permissive)	47.92% 1289 out of 2690 titles 48.5% 1289 out of 2658 reported titles	✗	~

Emulators on other hardware

Name		Platform(s)	Active?	Latest version	License	Compatibility	PSX DVR	Recommended? (overall)
PCSX2-based	XBSX2		✓	2.0.8.4 New Fork	GPLv3 (Copyleft)	99.67% 2681 out of 2690 reported titles	✗	✓
	AetherSX2		✗	Alpha‡	Proprietary (stolen PCSX2 code)	16.77% 451 out of 2690 titles 74.06% 451 out of 609 reported titles	✗	✗
Official Sony emulators			~	FW 4.78 (PS3) SYRUP (PS4/PS5)	Proprietary	83.64% 2250 out of 2690 titles 83.89% 2250 out of 2682 reported titles PS4/PS5 27.81% 748 out of 2690 titles 57.58% 748 out of 1299 reported titles	✗	✓
Play!			✓	git (Switch) 2020 (Vita Port)	MIT (Permissive)	?	✗	~

Descriptions

PCSX2

Started sometime in mid 2001, with its first release on March 23, 2002. It was the first PS2 emulator to boot games on Dec 19, 2002. Succeeding their earlier PCSX PlayStation emulator, PCSX2 dedicated its development to faithfully replicating the PS2 experience thanks to the continuous improvements focusing on compatibility and performance. In the last years, PCSX2 nightly builds boast a sleek, modern QT GUI and a pluginless design, eliminating the headaches of plugin configuration and making all features readily available. PCSX2 also has lots of enhancements and supports some of the #Hardware features and peripherals for the PlayStation 2. While the emulator boasts excellent compatibility and can run most titles without major glitches, certain games still experience bugs due to the factors outlined in the emulation issues section.

PCSX2 Reliquary

A PCSX2 fork by DiscoStarslayer focused on the accurate emulation of security flows and esoteric, PS2-derived hardware. It targets platforms and software outside the usual retail console ecosystem, including arcade hardware variants. It also bundles Theimaster's ParaLLEl-GS renderer and supports other MagicGate-related functionalities, such as DVD Video playback. However, to utilize memory cards and other MagicGate-related features, it requires MagicGate files; see the DVD player section for more information. Additionally, this fork features an experimental implementation of the Soft Float Recompiler concept, as the main PCSX2 builds have not yet merged the relevant interpreter pull request. While EE and VU0 soft float can be used globally, it is currently recommended to enable VU1 soft float exclusively via per-game options rather than general settings to avoid performance issues in unaffected games; see the Floating-Point Accuracy & The "SoftFPU" Solution section for more information.

PenguinScreen2

A Linux-only PCSX2 fork aimed at delivering real VR gameplay with virtual theater screen, stereoscopic 3D and head tracking (per-game reverse engineering at the render pipeline level, not screen-capture tricks, no post-process warp).

AetherSX2

A closed-source freeware emulator partially forked from PCSX2. It's designed to be optimal for ARM-based platforms, primarily those running Android. It has multiple versions; The latest Google Play version, which contains ads, while an ad-free Alpha version can be downloaded directly from the AetherSX2 website. Development was stopped due to various dramas: developers calls it quits, shuts down site leaving a message citing "complaints, demands, and death threats" made to him during development process and it is no longer on the Google Play Store. Using NetherSX2 patches is heavily recommended.

NetherSX2

A quality-of-life patch for AetherSX2 created by Trixarian that removes AetherSX2's ads and implements new features for AetherSX2. There are two versions: The main version is a patch for AetherSX2 v1.5-4248, and there is a "Classic" version for patching AetherSX2 v1.5-3668. For licensing reasons, Trixarian originally released NetherSX2 as a patch for AetherSX2 with a tool to build and patch AetherSX2 v1.5-4248 (main) or v1.5-3668 (classic). By v2.0, NetherSX2 and NetherSX2 Classic are released as full APKs, so users will no longer have to build an APK. However, Trixarian eventually plans on creating a proper successor to AetherSX2 and NetherSX2 called EtherealSX2 that can keep up with the latest features and updates of PCSX2.

LRPS2

A complete hard fork of PCSX2 for RetroArch and its own separate emulator at this point, so there is no point in chasing after any kind of upstream and it is under development. Consider using standalone PCSX2 or XBSX2 builds instead, since those projects are more actively developed, some fixes, enhancements and hardware features haven't been implemented in this one. However, because it's a libretro core, you can still leverage some of the libretro enhancement features with this core specifically.

LRPS2 has an active external repository outside the main libretro github repo. Also, Hans-Kristian Arntzen (Themaister)'s recent involvement has enabled the integration of the paraLLEl-GS renderer into the core.

Play!

Development is almost all done by the single maintainer jpd002. Also, unlike PCSX2 it supports Namco System 2x6 variations and it has a playable Android and iOS port.

Iris

Planning to use ParaLLEl-GS. placeholder text.

DobieStation

Many titles can go in-game, focused on accuracy, and therefore inherently slower than Play! or PCSX2.

HPS2x64

Can also run quite a few commercial games, but probably less so, and at slower speeds than Play!. It also emulates and focuses more on PlayStation emulation. There is also a mirror that has fixes done to it.

DamonPS2

Closed-source payware/malware emulator only for Android, illegally based on PCSX2, Play! and PPSSPP. It can hardly run any games and behaves very much like virus software. It is the worst PS2 emulator and as such, it is NOT recommended under any circumstance. DamonPS2 uses unnecessary DRM, making the emulator useless without an internet connection.

Enhancements

Please only include recommended emulators in this table. Do not bump or spam GitHub threads, issues, or feature request pages.

Name		PCSX2	PCSX2 Reliquary	LRPS2	Play!
Controls	Disguise peripheral support through passthrough Tricking the software into thinking that the original controller was connected even though they identify themselves with different device IDs. When a game tries to identify a connected 'nearly the same internally' controller, emulator will tell it that the equivalent original controller is connected instead, allowing it to work.	?		?	?
	Input lag mitigating	✗		?	✗
	Mouse injector	✓		✗	✗
	Real peripheral support (passthrough) Ability to passthrough USB HID devices or Bluetooth adapter for emulated system.	?		?	?
	Turbo button	✓		✓	✗
Graphics	Better texture filtering Enhancement option for providing better texture filtering methods comparing the original hardware had.	✓		?	?
	Force LOD/mipmap modes	There was a pull request for bringing back enhanced mipmapping modes to PCSX2 but it's closed. Recently LRPS2 libretro core got updated with Force Texture LOD0 setting.
	Pre-rendering anti-aliasing (SSAA, MSAA)	~ SSAA is possible with paraLLEl-GS builds. Also see PCSX2 Forum Thread: Future anti-aliasing implementations?		?	✗
	Ray tracing (DXR, VRT and MRT)	Implementing ray tracing in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future. However you can try "Screen-Space Ray Traced Global Illumination" shader using ReShade. See here, here and here
	Resizable internal resolution	✓		✓	✓
	RTX Remix	Implementing RTX Remix technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future. Besides, PCSX2 already supports most of RTX Remix features such as texture replacement etc. On top of that you can use ReShade for post-processing effects.
	Texture packs	✓		?	✗
	Widescreen hack	✓		?	✗
Performance	Frame generation (LSFG, DLSS-FG and SM, XeSS-FG, AFMF and FSR FG)	Implementing frame generation technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future, however post-processing techniques such as motion interpolation is quite possible. Input latency will be a crucial factor, but its impact likely varies depending on the specific technique employed, it's recommended to use after applying the "Internal frame rate hack" and "skip presenting duplicate frames option". While AFMF or LSFG can be used with PCSX2, please be aware that some visual glitches and artifacts may occur at this time. There is a feature request about integration of this feature.
	Internal frame rate hack	✓		?	?
	Overclocking	✓		?	✗
	Preload optical disc image to RAM For users with sluggish multi-platter HDDs or plagued by horrible seek times, this enhancement might offer smoother experience, potentially reduced power consumption; it also shines when disc images reside on a network drive. Although keep in mind that preloading image would take some time, and it will require additional amount of RAM capacity.	✓		?	?
	Rendering latency reduction technologies (LatencyFleX, Reflex, Xe-LL and Anti-Lag+)	While most emulators offer frame pacing or framebuffer latency control options, implementing rendering latency reduction technologies isn't currently feasible. This is likely doesn't offer enough benefit to justify the development effort.
Post-processing	AI-powered filter (Freestyle)	✓		?	?
	Deinterlacing / Progressive Scan Option to force progressive output for high-res (480i) titles to eliminate interlaced "combing" artifacts. Since most PlayStation 2 games run at interlaced resolutions like 480i, deinterlacing is a significant enhancement for PlayStation 2 emulators. See List of PlayStation 2 games with alternative display modes.	✓		?	?
	Filters	~		✓	✗
	Inverse tone mapping	✓ RTX HDR is compatible with PCSX2, there are feature request and pull request for direct HDR output support similar to Dolphin and Retroarch implementation.		?	?
	Post-rendering anti-aliasing (FXAA, TXAA, and MLAA/SMAA)	✓		?	?
	Post-rendering scaling (Sharp bilinear, Lanczos, and FSR 1)	✓		?	?
	Shader chain	✗ (WIP)		✓	✗
Quality of life	Automatic emulated controller connect/disconnect Automatically connects or disconnects emulated controllers when a new or current controller is connected or disconnected.	✗		✗	✗
	Automatic region switching	✗		?	?
	Automatic updater	✓		?	✗
	Big Picture Mode	✓		✓	✓
	Built-in cheat manager	✓		?	✗
	Built-in custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes For using this on Windows, you need CRT Emudriver. Another option is using EDID editor tool such as "Custom Resolution Utility".	✗		?	✗
	Built-in memory card manager	~ It can create, duplicate, and rename various types of virtual memory cards, but it is not capable of managing the game saves within them. You need to use system BIOS emulation capability of the PCSX2 or third-party application for that job.		✗	✓
	Built-in mod editor and manager	✗		?	✗
	Built-in patch manager	✓		?	✗
	Command-line options	✓		?	?
	Index/Compatibility databases Many modern emulators incorporate database-driven per-game overrides to apply targeted fixes or tweaks for quality-of-life (QoL) improvement without requiring users to manually edit global config files for each title. This approach allows quick, centralized application of workarounds for specific games, such as graphics fixes, timing adjustments, or compatibility flags, while keeping the emulator's default settings intact. This auto fix feature shouldn't be confused with "Per-game profiles" enhancement feature.	✓		✓	?
	On-screen display Showcases messages, controller input state which is useful for speedrunners, performance data, active settings, and various notifications.	✓		?	?
	Pause/Resume emulation	✓		?	?
	Per-game profiles	✓		?	?
	Portable and stealth Useful enhancement feature for non-personal computer use or plug-and-play scenarios. However, the software may still require the necessary prerequisites and dependencies for your operating system if it is not statically linked.	✓		?	?
	SDL backend support Provides controller plug-and-play and automatic input mapping through SDL GameController database.	✓		?	✗
	Streamable compression format	✓		?	✗
	Variable refresh rate	✓		?	~ Exclusive to libretro core version.
TAS features	Fast forward/Turbo speed	✓		?	?
	Frame step (forwards and backwards)	?		?	?
	Macros/Scripts/Lua	✓		?	✗
	Movie recording/playback	✓		?	✗
	Rewind	✗		?	✗
	Save states	✓		?	?
Misc.	Ambient sounds simulation Simulation of audio from original hardware and environments, such as mechanical hard drive, floppy diskette, and optical drive noises (e.g., head seeks, spin-up/down, tray loading, disc spinning, and clicking), variable CRT flyback transformer whine (the classic high-pitched "coil whine" that dynamically changes pitch based on screen brightness and content), arcade cabinet effects (e.g., fan hum or button rattles), and other background ambient noises.	✗		✗	✗
	Audio filters and presets Simulation of characteristic playback limitations and coloration of vintage consumer audio hardware, such as CRT television speakers, arcade cabinets, handheld consoles, early PC sound outputs, and low-fidelity integrated speakers. These filters are not intended to be perfectly accurate recreations, but rather to evoke the tonal qualities, distortion, bandwidth limits, resonance, and compression associated with 8-bit and 16-bit era devices. Examples include mono or narrow stereo output, reduced frequency response, speaker cone distortion, mild saturation, aliasing, and preset lo-fi profiles inspired by classic TVs, portable game systems, radios, and retro multimedia hardware.	Exclusive to libretro cores at the moment.
	Debug features	✓ Pull requests for PCSX2 debug features.		?	?
	EmuVR support	Exclusive to libretro cores at the moment.
	Free Look Free Look is an enhancement feature that allows manipulation of the in-game camera.	While freecam would be technically possible, it requires per-game patches like Gran Turismo 4 360 Chase Cam by "Vyerq/unko_". Said patches would require a significant amount of time to reverse the game's engine, which means that only someone talented with enough dedication to a single game could do it. There is a feature request for adding this enhancement feature to PCSX2 emulator. Also see ps2 cam acolyte project.
	Netplay Shouldn't be confused with Broadband Adapter or LAN tunneling, see Hardware features and peripherals for more information.	~		✗	✗
	RetroAchievements	✓		✗	✗
	Rich Presence (RPC) Allows the emulator to share real-time game session details (e.g., current game title, level, boss, playtime, or custom status) with external applications. This enables features such as displaying what you're playing on your profile, inviting friends to spectate, or triggering join-in-progress functionality where supported.	✓		?	?
	Screen translator Using optical character recognition (OCR) and other techniques, this feature can provide live translation of in-game text, text-to-speech for visually impaired users, and more — either on demand or automatically.	You can use RetroArch's AI Service or the standalone offline bquenin's Interpreter.

Hardware features and peripherals

Please only include recommended emulators in this table. Do not bump or spam GitHub threads, issues, or feature request pages.

Name				PCSX2	PCSX2 Reliquary	LRPS2	Play!
Hardware features	Alternative display modes			✓		?	?
	Controller	Pressure-sensitive buttons		✓		✗	✗
		Vibration		✓		?	✓
	Dolby Pro Logic II / Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS Surround (DVD-Video only)			~		?	?
	DVD player			~	✓	✗	✗
	PlayStation backwards compatibility			~		?	✗
	System BIOS			✓		✓	✗
Peripherals	Controller port	DualShock (PS1)		✗		✗	✗
		DVD remote control / IR receiver		✗		✗	✗
		Guitar		~		✗	✗
		i-mode adapter		✗		✗	✗
		Jogcon		~		✗	✗
		Light gun	Konami Justifier/Hyper Blaster	✗		✗	✗
			Namco GunCon	✗		✗	✗
		Maestro Baton		✗		✗	✗
		Mouse (PS1)		✗		✗	✗
		Multitap	Controllers	✓		✓	✓
			Memory cards	~ Must be enabled in the config file.		✗	✗
		NeGcon		✓		✗	✗
		Pop'n Music controller		✓		✗	✗
		Taiko no Tatsujin Drum Controller		✗		?	✗
	i.LINK	i.LINK P2P		✗		✗	✗
	Network adapter	Ethernet LAN tunneling		✓		?	✗
		Modem		✗		✗	✗
	Storage	Hard disk drive		✗ Supported, but doesn't seem to work in games and in the system BIOS.	✓	?	✗
		Memory cards		✓ Fully supported capacities: 8, 16, 32, and 64 MB. Limited support of 128 MB, which can be used for saving, but unavailable in images creator and does not identify it in the emulator's card list.		?	✗
	USB	Buzz! controller		✓ You can turn any phone into a Buzz! quiz controller for PCSX2 with buzzcast app.		✗	✗
		Dance mat	Dance:UK XL (Party) mat	✗		✗	✗
			Dancing With the Stars mat	✗		✗	✗
		DJ Hero turntable		~		✗	✗
		Flight joystick	Hori Flight Stick	✗		✗	✗
			Logitech Flight Force	✗		✗	✗
		Gametrak		✓		✗	✗
		GunCon 2		✓		✗	✗
		Headset		✓		✗	✗
		Hub		✗		✗	✗
		Karaoke microphone	Konami	~		✗	✗
			Logitech	~		✗	✗
			SingStar	✓		✗	✗
		Keyboard		✓		✗	✗
		KeyboardMania		✓		✗	✗
		Mass storage devices	Iomega Zip-100 (Generic)	✓		✗	✗
			Olympus camera	✓		✗	✗
			Olympus Turbo MO	✓		✗	✗
			PictureParadise	✓		✗	✗
		Modem		✗		✗	✗
		Mouse		✓		✗	✗
		ParaParaParadise controller		✗		?	✗
		PlayStation Portable		✗		✗	✗
		Printers	Epson printer	✗		✗	✗
			GamePrint①	~		✗	✗
			GamePrint②	✗		✗	✗
		Racing wheel	Logitech Driving Force	✓		✗	✗
			Logitech Driving Force Pro	✓		✗	✗
			Logitech GT Force	✓		✗	✗
		RealPlay	Golf	✓		✗	✗
			Pool	✓		✗	✗
			Racing	✓		✗	✗
			Sphere	✓		✗	✗
		Rock Band & Guitar Hero drum kit		~ The extra Orange Cymbal is currently unmappable as an additional input.		✗	✗
		Sega Seamic		✓		✗	✗
		Sony PUD-J5A		✗		✗	✗
		Taito Voice Recognition controller		✗		?	✗
		Train controller	Master Controller	✓		✗	✗
			Ryojōhen	✓		✗	✗
			Shinkansen	✓		✗	✗
			Train Mascon	✓		✗	✗
			Type 2	✓		✗	✗
		Trance vibrator		✓		✗	✗
		Webcams	EyeToy	✓		✗	✗
			Konami Capture Eye	✓		✗	✗
Misc.	2 multitaps			✓		✓	✗
	Development kits			~		✗	✗
	Disc scratch			No emulator currently includes built-in disc scratch simulation, as it would require low-level emulation of optical drive error correction, which is not implemented. As a workaround, you can try the external Real-Time Corruptor (RTCV) tool. It is a real-time memory/data corruption tool for inducing glitches during emulation, which might mimic some effects of a scratched disc (e.g., visual/audio artifacts or crashes). However, it is not a true "disc scratch" simulator, as it works on live memory rather than simulating physical disc read errors.
	Linux for PlayStation 2			✗		✗	✗
	System lights			✗		✗	✗

DVD remote control/IR receiver

This peripheral is mainly used for playing DVD-Videos on the PlayStation 2. You can even play games with it as long they support digital control, but it's not ideal. There's a setting in the system configuration menu that says, "Remote Gameplay Function." Set this to on for playing games with this peripheral.

EyeToy

The EyeToy is a device similar to a camera or a webcam. It's an accessory developed by Sony and manufactured by Logitech. It is used in mostly European-exclusive shovelware that require it. The EyeToy device can be emulated with PCSX2. It also works natively with the PlayStation 3.

Hard disk drive

The PS2 Hard Disk Drive was an official peripheral released by Sony for the PlayStation 2 console. It launched in July 2001 in Japan and March 2004 in North America. The HDD required the Network Adapter to function, because of this it's important to know that not all PS2 models supported the HDD. Only the fat models (SCPH-30000 to SCPH-50000 series) had the Expansion Bay needed to connect the Network Adapter for Hard Drive. As stated in the Network Adapter section, Slim models don't have an external interface to connect a Network Adaptor. Instead, the Ethernet functionality of the Network Adaptor has been integrated onto the motherboard, while the ATA/IDE interface was dropped, because of this slim models have no Hard Drive support.

PlayStation 2 hard drive offered;

• Ability to install and run Linux using Linux for PlayStation 2 disc
• Extra network functionalities, such as: accessing online content (game demos and updates etc) from platforms like PlayStation Broadband Navigator and PlayOnline Viewer. Also some of the titles such as: Pop'n Music Puzzle-dama Online requires an installation to the PS2 HDD in order to play, as the game boots from the PlayStation Broadband Navigator or HDD Utility Disc, and does not require the game disc or a registration code.

PCSX2-reliquary fork have support for game installs, dvd update disks with Retail HDD emulation.

i.LINK

i.LINK cable for connecting two or more PS2 consoles together and play split screen on separate TVs. Similarly to NAOMI Multiboard, it can also be used for multiple screen play replicating modern ultrawide experience hooking up three PS2 consoles Not all games supported it, and it was dropped in later versions of the console. Currently no emulators support it.

LAN tunneling

Offline multiplayer gaming on the PS2 home console over a LAN (local area network) multiplayer games, just like System Link for XBOX systems. Over time, most private game servers have been shut down. However, computer programs such as XBSlink, SVDL and XLink Kai allow users to play multiplayer for LAN supported PS2 games by using a network configuration that simulates a worldwide LAN.

• PCSX2 XLink Kai Setup.

• XLink Kai: PlayStation 2 supported games
• PlayStation 2 LAN titles can be played online using the XLink Kai service. Some games only had LAN play available in specific regions.

Linux for PlayStation 2

For Recommended Linux distributions, see Recommended Linux distros.

For Ports of the Linux kernel on consoles, see Homebrew and ROM hacks#Operating_systems.

For Running Linux on PlayStation 3 (using OtherOS), see PlayStation 3 emulators#OtherOS.

Linux for PlayStation 2 (or PS2 Linux) is a kit released by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2002 that allows the PlayStation 2 console to be used as a personal computer similarly to OtherOS feature on PlayStation 3. It included a Linux-based operating system, a USB keyboard and mouse, a VGA adapter, a PS2 network adapter (Ethernet only), and a 40 GB hard disk drive (HDD). An 8 MB memory card is required; it must be formatted during installation, erasing all data previously saved on it, though afterwards the remaining space may be used for saved games.

• PCSX2 doesn't support Linux for PlayStation 2 emulation at the moment, according to the PCSX2 wiki. It likely requires MagicGate emulation and Full TLB Support to be implemented before further development can proceed.
• Official Sony emulators (ps2_emu for PlayStation 3) placeholder text. It's already supports OtherOS feature though.

PlayStation backwards compatibility

• PCSX2: Partially compatible. Only PS2 BIOSes from original fat models will be able to run PS1 games with PCSX2 due to the IOP changes Sony made on the slims. Those later models PS1 backwards compatibility feature simply not supported in PCSX2 right now.
• Play!: Play has no support for backwards compatibility.
• Official Sony emulators: PlayStation 3's ps2_emu firmware used for PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility and ps1_emu for PlayStation backwards compatibility. See Official_emulators for more information.

PlayStation Portable connectivity

• A more complete list of compatible titles is available in this video's description which replaces the old thread.
• PCSX2 has no support for PSP communication at the moment.
• Official Sony emulators: PlayStation 3's ps2_emu firmware supports PSP<->ps2_emu communication. This feature shouldn't be confused with PSP-PlayStation 3 direct communication.

PocketStation connectivity

• PCSX2: PS1 memory cards will appear in the PS2 BIOS as PocketStation devices. This is due to a hack that was required for some PocketStation-compatible games to detect memory cards, and is strictly a visual side-effect with no performance or compatibility issues.
• Official Sony emulators: PocketStation communication with PlayStation 3 system is possible with a "memory card adaptor for PlayStation 3".

Pressure-sensitive buttons

Main article: List of console games that support pressure-sensitive buttons#PlayStation 2

The DualShock 2 features analog sensors for all buttons (except L3, R3, Select, and Start), allowing the console to register how hard a button is being pressed. While many games utilize the analog sticks, a select number of titles utilize Pressure-sensitive buttons. Sony deprecated Pressure-sensitive buttons with the release of the PlayStation 4. For modern controllers, users must map the "Pressure Modifier" button in the PCSX2 controller settings to simulate light presses. This also works with analog triggers.;Current situation (PCSX2 2.8.2 stable version)

As of the move to the Qt6 interface and the integration of the SDL3 input backend, the process for using native pressure-sensitive hardware has been streamlined. Older situations and methods such as "XInput bridge" DLL method is now largely deprecated for modern builds.

• DualShock 3: Remains the most compatible hardware. It is natively supported via the SDL3 backend.
• DsHidMini: The recommended driver for DS3. It should be set to SXS (Sixaxis) Mode to allow PCSX2 to see the pressure axes correctly.
• DualShock 2: Requires a specialized adapter (e.g., Bliss-Box or high-end HID-compliant adapters). Generic "Blue Dual" USB adapters typically convert face buttons to digital signals, breaking this feature.
• Official Sony Driver: Support for the legacy PS Now (Sixaxis.sys) driver is considered legacy/deprecated. SDL3 is the modern standard for Qt builds.

Method 1 - DualShock 3

1. Install DsHidMini.
2. Set the HID Mode to SXS in the DsHidMini Control Pad.
3. In PCSX2, navigate to Settings > Controllers.
4. Ensure SDL is enabled under the "Global Settings" Input APIs ("Shared" universal input profile).
5. Go to Controller Port 1, click Automatic Mapping, and select your controller under the SDL category (Use "Automatic Binding" button and select SDL).
   • Note: If successful, the binding list for Square, Cross, etc., will display as "Axis" or "Slider" inputs rather than simple "Button" inputs.

Method 2 - Digital Controllers (Xbox/PS5/Standard Third-Party)

Since these lack the physical sensors, you must use a software workaround:

1. In Controller Port 1 settings, find the Pressure Modifier binding.
2. Map this to a rarely used button (e.g., R3 or a Bumper).
3. Adjust the Modifier Amount (typically 30-50%) to define how "light" the simulated press is.
4. In-game, hold the Modifier button while pressing a face button to perform "light" actions (like lowering a weapon in MGS3).

Arcade hardware variants

There are pull requests and feature requests for implementing some of these variations or its features to these emulators, so it is being worked on actively.

Support

Hardware Name	PCSX2 forks		Play!	TeknoParrot
	PCSX2-reliquary	PCSX2x6
Konami Python / Konami Bemani Python / Konami Python Satellite Terminal	✓ Initial support for Konami Python 1 titles.	✗	✗	✗
Konami Python 2 / Konami Bemani Python 2	✓ Requires full BIOS dump using biosdrain and MagicGate keys.	✗	✗	✗
Namco System 246	✗	~ Work in progress.	✓ Requires files in arcaderoms subdirectory.	✓
Namco System 256	✗	~ Work in progress.	✓ Requires files in arcaderoms subdirectory.	✓
Namco System Super 256	✗	~ Work in progress.	✓ Requires files in arcaderoms subdirectory.	✓
Namco System 147	✗	✗	✓ Requires files in arcaderoms subdirectory.	✓

Game-specific features

Name	PCSX2 forks		Play!	TeknoParrot
	PCSX2-reliquary	PCSX2x6
Lamps and LED lights	?		?	?
Link cable	?		?	?
Magnetic card reader/writer	None of the emulators have built-in support. But, YaCardEmu project support emulating the various magnetic cards for arcade cabinets.
Motion sensor	?		?	?
Online connectivity	?		?	?
Perfect Pool Camera (USB)	✓	✗	✗	✗
Python 2 I/O Board (USB)	✓	✗	✗	✗
Python I/O board (i.LINK)	✓	✗	✗	✗
Satellite terminal	?		?	?
Trackball (USB)	✓	✗	✗	✗

PSX

Main article: PSX

Main article: Home media players

Not to be confused with the original PlayStation.

The PSX is a Sony digital video recorder with a fully integrated PS2 console. It was also the first device to use Sony's XrossMediaBar (XMB) graphical user interface, which was later used on the PlayStation Portable, the PlayStation 3, some Blu-ray Disc players, and 2008-era BRAVIA TVs.

The PSX is primarily based on the SCPH-50000 (50k) series architecture but features significant hardware deviations:

• Enhanced Memory: Features 72MB of main RAM and 8MB of IOP RAM.
• Internal Components: Utilizes a "Dragon" Mechacon, a pre-Deckard I/O Processor (IOP), and a small flash ROM (xfrom:/).
• DVR Integration: A dedicated DVR processor emulates a standard IDE hard disk at the hardware level.
• Optical Drive: Features a unique dual-head, single-spindle design. While the standard KHS-400C laser handles game and DVD playback, a second specialized laser is used for burning DVD-R discs. These burning lasers are prone to failure; users often utilize Free McBoot (FMCB) to force the console into "Game Mode," which defaults to the more reliable KHS laser.

The PSX's rom0: is largely standard but lacks the OSDSYS (the standard PS2 dashboard), FONTM, and several other modules. Notably, the DVD player is not stored in the ROM; it is part of the XMB operating system stored on the hard drive.

The system boot sequence functions as follows:

1. The console initializes via a memory card or the internal xfrom:/.
2. The xfrom:/ ELF displays a splash screen.
3. The system boots the XMB environment directly from the internal hard drive.

As of 2026, PSX-specific features have not been successfully emulated. Current technical hurdles include:

• Module Dependencies: Tools like KernelLoader require FONTM and other missing modules, preventing the boot process from completing.
• Debugging Constraints: The UART pinouts for the PSX are not yet fully mapped, making low-level development difficult.
• HDD Encryption: The internal hard drive is encrypted and hardware-locked. Developer @DiscoStarslayer has worked on bypassing this encryption, which is critical for both emulation and hardware preservation (allowing for HDD replacement).

Community members are encouraged to dump their PSX HDD contents using guides created by PCSX2 contributors such as 987123879113.

See also

• DualShock 2

External links

• PlayStation 2 DataCenter - Tons of PS2-related things. Emulator files like plugins, game manuals, game configurations, and many tutorials are just some of the things you'll find here.
• arcadeotaku: Namco System 246/256
• digitpress forum - Master List of PS2 CD-Based Games

Sony(edit)

• Consoles: PlayStation • PlayStation 2 • PlayStation 3 • PlayStation 4 (PS4 Pro) • PlayStation TV • PlayStation 5 (PS5 Pro)
• Handhelds: PocketStation • PSP • Vita • PS Portal
• Arcade: Namco System 10/11/12 • Capcom ZN-1/ZN-2 • Konami Twinkle • Konami System 573 • Konami Bemani System 573 Analog • Konami Bemani System 573 Digital • Konami GV & Baby Phoenix • Konami GQ • Taito G-NET • Taito FX-1A/FX-1B • Konami Python 1/Bemani Python 1/Python Satellite Terminal • Konami Python 2/Bemani Python 2 • Namco System 246 • Namco System 256 • Namco System Super 256 • Namco System 147 • Namco System 357 • Namco System 359 • Dissidia Final Fantasy Arcade variant