¶ Technical data
- Manufacturer: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Year of release: 2000
- Units sold: over 155 millions (best-selling console ever)
- Best-selling game: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- CPU: Emotion Engine (128-bit MIPS) @ 294.9 MHz
- RAM: 32 MB RDRAM
- VRAM: 4 MB
- Video: Graphics Synthesizer @ 147.456 MHz
- Resolution: 256x224 to 1280x1024
- Sound chip: SPU2, 48 channels
- Media: DVD-ROM and CD-ROM
¶ Presentation
The PlayStation 2, shortened to PS2, is a sixth generation video game console marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released on March 4, 2000 in Japan, on October 26, 2000 in North America and on November 24, 2000 in Europe. It succeeded the PlayStation, whose games it runs thanks to the backward compatibility provided by the physical presence of the PS1 processor, recycled as an input/output processor.
Its architecture is built around the Emotion Engine, a 128-bit MIPS processor backed by two vector units, and the Graphics Synthesizer, a graphics chip with considerable memory bandwidth for its time. The console was also one of the first affordable mainstream DVD players, a decisive selling point at launch, particularly in Japan where standalone DVD players were still expensive.
With over 155 million units sold and a commercial life stretching to 2013, the PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling console in history. Its library of more than 4,000 titles includes Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Shadow of the Colossus, God of War, Final Fantasy X, Metal Gear Solid 3, Kingdom Hearts, Gran Turismo 4 and the Guitar Hero series.
¶ Emulators
Emulator availability per board:
| Emulator | RPI3/RPI02W | RPI4/400 | RPI5/500 | OGA/OGS/RG351 | PC | RG353 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCSX2 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Libretro PCSX2 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Libretro PS2 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
The PlayStation 2 is available on PC (x86_64) only. It is offered on no ARM board: not on RPi3/RPi Zero 2, not on RPi4/400, not on RPi5/500, not on Odroid Go Advance/Super, RG351 or RG353. The system will therefore not appear in EmulationStation on those machines, even with roms in the folder.
By default Recalbox launches PCSX2 in its standalone version, the most complete and the fastest. Libretro PCSX2 embeds the same emulator inside RetroArch, which gives access to the common RetroArch features. Libretro PS2 is a lighter alternative based on another emulation project, worth trying on games poorly supported by PCSX2. Netplay and softpatching are not available on this system, and neither are RetroAchievements, CRT output or light guns.
PS2 emulation is demanding. Expect to need a recent x86_64 processor with strong single-core performance and a Vulkan-capable GPU to run most games at full speed. On a modest setup, lower the internal resolution before anything else.
A controller is mandatory, and you need a pad with two analog sticks and triggers to reproduce the DualShock 2, for example the 8BitDo Pro 3.
¶ BIOS
PS2 BIOS files are mandatory for PCSX2 (standalone and libretro): without them, no game will start. Install at least the one matching the region of your games.
| File name | Description | MD5 | Mandatory | Emulators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ps2-0230a-20080220.bin |
v2.30 BIOS, America region — recommended for better compatibility | 21038400dc633070a78ad53090c53017 | ✅ | PCSX2, Libretro PCSX2 |
ps2-0230e-20080220.bin |
v2.30 BIOS, Europe region | dc69f0643a3030aaa4797501b483d6c4 | ✅ | PCSX2, Libretro PCSX2 |
ps2-0230h-20080220.bin |
v2.30 BIOS, Asia region | 30d56e79d89fbddf10938fa67fe3f34e | ✅ | PCSX2, Libretro PCSX2 |
ps2-0230j-20080220.bin |
v2.30 BIOS, Japan region | 80ac46fa7e77b8ab4366e86948e54f83 | ✅ | PCSX2, Libretro PCSX2 |
Place your BIOS files like this:
/recalbox/share/bios/ps2/
├── ps2-0230a-20080220.bin
├── ps2-0230e-20080220.bin
├── ps2-0230h-20080220.bin
└── ps2-0230j-20080220.bin
The BIOS must match the region of the game: a Japanese game started with the European BIOS will be rejected. Install all four files and stop worrying about it.
¶ Roms
Put your games in:
/recalbox/share/roms/ps2/
All three emulators accept the same extensions:
.bin .chd .cso .gz .img .iso .mdf .nrg
The CHD format is recommended: it compresses a DVD image losslessly, which is far from negligible when a single PS2 game can weigh several gigabytes. The
.csoformat, also supported, compresses too but at a slight CPU cost when loading.
Redump dumps are strongly recommended. A PS2 game always fits on a single disc: there is no multi-disc handling to plan for, and no .m3u file on this system.
Also have a look at the PlayStation 2 guide for game preparation, configuration and system-specific tips.