PCSX2 - Play PS2 Games on PC
This guide will show you how to setup PCSX2 and play PS2 games on your PC. PCSX2 emulator is praised for its compatibility with the majority of PS2 games and great performance owing to its long lifespan of development. It comes with features such as cheats, save states, graphical enhancements and more. This guide will also show you how to use CodeBreaker for cheats and import save files into PCSX2.
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Solutions | Compatibility |
PCSX2 supports controllers and ScpToolkit can be used to make Dualshock controllers compatible with Windows 7 / 10.
Required Downloads:
- PCSX2
- PS2 BIOS (Mirror)
- Codebreaker ISO (Cheats)
- mymc & PSVExporter (Optional: for Importing Saves)
- ScpToolkit (Optional: for Dualshock controllers on Windows 7 / 10)
PCSX2 Emulator
- PCSX2 emulator is used to play PS2 games on PC
- A computer with moderate requirements is required to run PCSX2 with good performance
- The Codebreaker disc can be used to add cheats to games
ScpToolkit (Optional)
- PCSX2 is compatible with Dualshock 4 controllers natively on Windows 10
- ScpToolkit can be installed to make Dualshock 3 / 4 compatible with Windows 7 and 10
- ScpToolkit will emulate Xbox 360 controller inputs making Dualshock controllers compatible with all games that support controllers
Install PCSX2
- Launch
pcsx2-setup.exe
- Select [Portable Installation]
- Once complete, launch PCSX2
- Press [Next] then [Next] again at the plugin page
- Select [Open in Explorer] to open the
/bios/
folder - Copy
ps2-0230a-20080220.bin
fromPS2_BIOS.zip
to the/bios/
folder - Select [Refresh] then [Finish] once your BIOS is selected
- The main PCSX2 window and the Program Log containing useful information will open
- Select [System] -> [Boot ISO (fast)] and select your PS2
.iso
file to launch the PS2 game - Select [CDVD] -> [ISO Selector] -> [Browse…] to change game
Graphics Settings
Controller Setup
If you are using an Xbox 360 controller or ScpToolkit, PCSX2 will automatically configure your controller. If you are using a Dualshock 4 natively without drivers, you will have to map the buttons manually
- Select [Config] -> [Controllers] -> [Plugin Settings]
- Double-click Pad 1: Dualshock 2
- Select your controller from the drop-down menu by clicking [Allow All Devices]
- Map the buttons to your controller individually and click [Apply] -> [OK] when complete
CodeBreaker Cheats
- Launch PCSX2
- Launch
CodeBreaker v10.iso
via [CDVD] -> [ISO Selector] -> [Browse…] - Press [Cross] to save configuration
- Select [Select Cheats]
- Browse for your game
- Press [Right] to select your cheats
- Press [Start] to return to the main menuPress [Circle] in the Games and Cheats list to add new games or your own codes to the database.
- Select [Start Game]
- In PCSX2, select your game
.iso
via [CDVD] -> [ISO Selector] -> [Browse…] - Select [Swap Disc]
- In CodeBreaker, press [Cross] to start your game
- Your cheats will now be enabled in game
Import Save Files
PlayStation 2 save data files are stored in virtual memory cards (.ps2 file). Save data downloaded online can be imported into your memory card image (.ps2) that PCSX2 uses.
Format Memory Card (Optional: if needed)
- Launch PCSX2
- From the top menu, select [CDVD] -> [No Disc]
- Then select [System] -> [Run BIOS]
- From the PS2 System Menu, select [Browser]
- Select your memory card then select [Yes] to format the memory card
Importing .PSV Files
.PSV files must be exported with PSVExporter before they can be imported into your PS2 memory card file (.ps2).
- Download and extract the contents of
PSVExporter.zip
- Launch
PSVExporter.exe
If a Windows Defender prompt appears, click [More info] -> [Run Anyway] to proceed - From the top menu, select [File] -> [Open PSV] and select your .PSV file
- Once selected, click the [PS2] icon and export the save file as a
.max
file
Importing Save Files (.cbs / .psu / .max / .sps / .xps)
- In PCSX2, go to [Config] -> [Memory cards]
- Copy your memory card folder location to the clipboard (Ctrl + C)
- Download and extract the contents of
mymc.zip
to your PC - Launch
mymc-gui.exe
- Paste your memory card location into the Explorer window and select your memory card image file
- Select the [Import] button
- Select your save file to import
- Close mymc once the save data is imported
- Launch your game in PCSX2 and load the newly imported save data