How to Play PS2 Games On PC.
What’s An Emulator?
Emulators do as their title suggests: they emulate dated gaming consoles , allowing users to play everything from Super Nintendo to GameCube games directly on their PC without the need of an actual console. They do this by reading the game’s disc image through special software, using your computer as a display and storage system, which allows people to use the emulator as one would a console.
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Furthermore, emulators often allow for various benefits to classic gaming. Resolution, filtering, and shader tweaks allow users not only to play their games, but to enhance the graphics of their games to closer achieve the quality demands of modern gaming and the potential of modern gaming rigs.
How to Play Sony PlayStation 2 Games on your PC
To play a game using an emulator, you will need a ROM (Read-Only Memory). ROMs work as game cartridges, compacting a games memory into a readable and usable ISO file . These ISO files are copies of the original game files. ROMs, through emulators, allow users to play their games. They are only usable with specific software or a process called
mounting.
Another necessity for PS2 emulators are the BIOS files. While the BIOS is more often associated with your PC, PS2 BIOS information is slightly different. Your emulator’s BIOS will dictate, to put it simply, the version of your PS2.
Now that PCSX2 has been installed onto your computer, along with the necessary BIOS, you are now ready to play your game. While ROMs are freely available online, MakeUseOf can’t help you find them. Downloading ROMs for games that you don’t own is piracy, and doing so is your decision to make.
It may take a while, as you’re downloading a whole game. ROMs are only playable using PCSX2 as an ISO file (not a ZIP file). Once you’ve obtained your ROM and extracted the ISO file, head to CDVD > Iso Selector > Browse
in the PSX2 window . It’s best to save all of your disc images in a single folder for easy browsing. Double-click on your ISO file. You will now be able to toggle which disc you would like to use using the same Iso Selector window.
Then, head to System > Boot/Reboot CDVD. Your game should begin now, barring a corrupted ISO file.
Now that you’ve installed your game, it’s best to mull over the controller settings to game with ease. To access controller settings, head to Config > Controllers (PAD) > Plugin Settings . There should be three tabs in the upper left-hand corner of the window.
Click Pad 1 and select Delete All . This will delete all default entries. To enter a new value for a button, click on a button on the right-hand side and enter the value on your keyboard or gamepad.
Part of the beauty of gaming on your PC is being given a larger range of graphics options to choose from besides the stock resolution and shaders. While third-party plugins are available for PCSX2, the stock GS plugin works great to enhance the overall quality of your game.
Access this plugin under Config > Video (GS) > Plugin Settings . While these settings may seem daunting at first, they are easy to configure and easy to switch back once changed.
Disclaimer: While there are PS2 BIOS files online, the only legal method of obtaining BIOS files is to rip the BIOS from your existing PS2. The program to do so is located on the PCSX2 website . Use the link provided at your own risk.
While BIOS files for the PS2 range from nation to nation and year to year, you only need one from your appropriate location to get started.
After you’ve ripped the BIOS files, copy and paste this zipped file to the following directory: C:\Users\[User Name]\Documents\PCSX2\bios . This is the default directory for your BIOS files. You can change this directory to one of your choice by unchecking the Use default setting option and selecting a directory of your choice.
Once unzipped, you’ll note a selection of folders. PCSX2 will only recognize files located in the root directory, not a folder. To activate your BIOS, cut and paste the contents of one of these folders (typically a BIN file) into the root bios directory. Once placed, click on
Refresh list in this window.
The region relates to language options, so pick the USA version for English. The version used above is located in the folder labeled
SCPH-70012 (from the previous BIOS pack). Click on your option and select Finish to complete the BIOS set up process.
Playing Your Game
Now that PCSX2 has been installed onto your computer, along with the necessary BIOS, you are now ready to play your game.
Enabling a Japanese BIOS version will allow users to change the in-game language to Japanese, while the American BIOS versions allow for English gameplay.
Installing PCSX2
PCSX2 is very simple to install. First, access the official PCSX2 website . PCSX2 is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download your appropriate file to get started. I will be using the latest Windows version to conduct the walk-through, although all installations are the same.
Once you’ve downloaded the EXE file, double-click it to initialize installation.
You will receive a first-time configuration page. Proceed until you see a window with a selection of drop down menus.
The great thing about PCSX2 isn’t just the fact that it’s the most stable PS2 emulator around. It’s also the amount of plugins and configurations you can choose from. PCSX2 allows control over everything from third-party shaders to in-game textures, all which provide a richer gaming experience.
These settings are reachable within the PCSX2 software, and will require additional configuring. For now, simply click Next to move on to the critical part of the process.
You will be prompted to input your BIOS files. These files will allow the program to assume where you are playing this game: North America, Latin America, Japan, etc. This controls various sound and text functions.