How to play Sony PlayStation 2 Games on your PC
In the previous installment of these emulation series, you saw how to play Sony PlayStation (PSX) games on your PC.
Many of you told me (in the comments here and on Digg.com) how the first PlayStation was too outdated, and thus not interesting. ‘Passé’, one might say.
Because of that and because it was planned anyway, we’ll raise the stakes a bit. This time, we’ll be discussing emulation of PlayStation 2 games.
How to Playstation 2 Games on PC
First of all a warning. Many of you will not be able to run these games properly. They’ll lag on a lot of PC’s. On some of them they’ll lag even more. When emulating PlayStation 2 and Xbox games, you always have to keep in mind the next equasion:
To remove the above mentioned ‘-1‘ factor, you can pay more attention to the specific type of game you’re trying to play. Naturally, visually simple games like ‘Disgaea’ will run smoother than 3D, over the top graphical shooters, like ‘Black’. In short, your computer will never completely be a PlayStation 2.
We’ll be guiding you through this process in a few simple steps.
Step 1 - Download and install PCSX2
PCSX2 comes in two packages. A binary package (which you have to un7zip) and an installation file. Just install or extract it to the folder of your choice.
Step 2 - Getting the BIOS files
Contrary to the first PlayStation, the PlayStation 2 uses several BIOS files. Basically, these are the hardest to find. Because they are copyrighted material, you are only allowed to own these files if you also own a PlayStation 2. MakeUseOf does NOT encourage piracy! This is also the reason why it’s illegal to host these files online. If you actually own a PlayStation 2 though, it’s not illegal to download them (laws may differ in your country).
So now you basically have two options layed out for you. You can either dump them from your PlayStation 2 yourself, or find someone else who dumped them and who put the files online. On this last website you can find the ROM1, eROM and the SECAM-, NTSC- and PAL BIOS files you’ll need. Again, you must’nt download them if you don’t have a PlayStation 2. You can put these files in a folder of you’re choice.
Step 3 - Running PCSX2 and configuring BIOS, video and controller input
The program comes in two different versions. One version uses TLB (pcsx2t.exe), the other one Virtual Memory (pcsx2.exe). First of all, try running the VM version. The program will try to reallocate the memory, after which you have to log off and on again. If it fails to do so, you’ll have to use the TLB version. This one is somewhat slower, but according to the developers the speed difference is not that great.
After you’ve started up, select ‘Config’ -> ‘Configure’.
First, we’re going to configure our BIOS. Press ‘Set Bios Directory’ and select the folder where you’ve put your BIOS files. Back in the Configuration screen, select the correct region from the Bios drop-down menu. You might want to change this now and then, depending on your games.
Next, the video plug-ins. PCSX2 comes with ZeroGS KOSMOS and GSdx9 plug-ins. A ‘Ps2 Output’ window (which looks similar to the command screen) normally opened when you started PCSX2. Else, temporarily close the Configuration screen, select ‘Misc’ -> ‘Enable Console’ and restart the program. In this Ps2 Output screen, look if ‘Detected SSE2′ is stated under Features. If not, you might want to choose the ‘no SSE2′ video plug-in.
If you press the ‘Configure…’ button under the video drop-down menu, you can tweak graphic related options like screen size, toggle full-screen, anti-aliasing and more.
As for the controller, I highly recommend LilyPad. This is one of the most adjustable plug-ins. You can use keyboard, mouse and controller input. There even is a setting so you can use your Guitar Hero guitar.
Just download it here, and drop it in the plugins directory. If you’ve used the installer, that would be C:\Program Files\Pcsx2_0.9.4\plugins .
Re-open the Configuration screen, select LilyPad from the drop-down menu and press configure. In the ‘General’ tab, you can tweak various settings. Select the ‘Pad 1′ or ‘Pad 2′ tab to configure the keys.
Step 4 - Test-driving and alternative plug-ins
With everything set up, it’s about time for a test-drive. We’re going to look if everything works as it should, and look which points need more improvement.
We can boot the games, depending on the plug-in we use, either by CD/DVD or by using an image file. The standard configuration uses Linuzappz, which is able to boot ISO’s and other image files. To do this, just select ‘File’ -> ‘Run CD/DVD’.
If you want to boot from a disc instead, go back to the configuration screen and select the P.E.Op.S driver from the Cdvdrom dropdown menu. Press configure to select an interface (based on your operating system) and the drive you want to use. Confirm your configuration and you’re ready to roll. Select ‘File’ -> ‘Run CD/DVD’ to boot from the chosen drive.
At this point you’ll be prompted for a date and a timezone, after which the game will start. If you’ve got problems with the graphics or sound, try using one of the the other plug-ins. You can get more additional plug-ins here.
If you’re still having problems, check the compatibility status of your game here.
Have fun!
About the (would-be) next article
Some of you might also remember that I had the intention of also publishing an article concerning Xbox emulation. We are, however, going to postpone this subject until it is in a somewhat more stable form.
3x Awesome! Cheers …
ATTENTION !
The direct download links DO NOT WORK! (redirect)
You’ll have to use the “who put them online” link. On this page you’ll be able to download the given files.
Sorry for the inconvenience
Please help me! I don’t have rom2.bin file. Please send to my e-mail…
(Comments wont nest below this level)Look on http://ps2emulators.narod.ru/index_files/page0001.htm
Simon i am downlading the bios file but which one is to download there are three of them????
(Comments wont nest below this level)PS2 is so cheap now that hardly worth the effort to emulate games on a pc
@Quitz
That’s a very dumb arguement. So isn’t a SNES, NES, and so on. But I’d rather play those on my PC than keep those old guys on my TV stand.
I second Ed, it’s a lot more convenient for me to have thos games on my PC
What’s the performance like on a modern PC? ala core 2 era.
I was able to run a pretty basic game on my laptop (Intel Medion) with about 10 fps. On my desktop PC (Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS) I’m able to run more graphical games at a decent speed.
I’ve tried this on my Athlon 3000+ single core, 8800GT 512 machine. Five frames per second just wasn’t doing it for me. Good thing I have a ps2 in the tv room.
This speed problem won’t be with your graphics card, that’s for sure. Instead, you’ll have to look at your CPU and your RAM memory. Especially Dual and Quad core processors are good for emulation. What game did you try to play?
is there a way to do this on a mac?
Not in a decent matter. The development never really kicked off. Even on the fastest of Macs, it wouldn’t run at a playable speed (if it even plays at all).
Maybe with the new Intel chips the Macs will get a proper chance. But as far as I know, no one has taken up this project.
can any1 help me? i can’t figure out how 2 dump the BIOS and the online thing is in this foreign language!! please can any1 help me!?
The direct links do not work (you’ll get redirected to an error page). You’ll have to press the “who put the files online” link, and download the files from that page.
yeah well the ps2 emulater isnt that great cause my computer can run ps3 games on my ps3 emulater (pcsx3) all plugins and bios included if you want it email me at cool.182@hotmail.com
Yeah, right. No such thing.
i downloaded the bios at the i dont know who page but i dont know how to get them in. when i conf it keeps saying cant find them, i tried to download again, but it wont show them in the conf screen under bios. what should i do i hav xp.
Hi, i downloaded the whole prgram and everything,but it says i need a file called “bios/” does aynone know where to get that from?
it is in the folder where u installed the ps2 emulator
nvm! i figured it out..but i don’t know how to use the whole lily pad thing..
The rom2 file seems to be broken. I get an error everytime i try to extract it.
It works without the rom2 file
i did all things but while playing it said rom 2 not found
(Comments wont nest below this level)what to do as it is broken
its very slow on my core 2 duo ……….help me with this ……….i tried god of war 2
help i dont know what to do with the things i downloaded on the who put them online link what are they i need help!!!!
It’s all explained in the article.
“You can put these files in a folder of you’re choice.”
“After you’ve started up, select ‘Config’ -> ‘Configure’.”
“First, we’re going to configure our BIOS. Press ‘Set Bios Directory’ and select the folder where you’ve put your BIOS files.”
I did everything right and even downloaded a better plugin and it keeps poping up with and error note saying “error opening GS plugin
Then it says I need the version 2 of the GS plugin. Where do I get that?
Do you also have this problem when using one of the default video plug-ins?
It says it can’t run without NPPTools and that reinstalling the program may work, but it doesn’t. Is it something I need to download?
NPPTools.dll is a file that apparantly isn’t present in Windows Vista anymore.
1. Download npptools.dll. It’s very easy to find on e.g. google.
2. Drop it in your PCSX2 main directory.
3. Try again.
If it doesn’t work, try dropping it in the C:\WINDOWS directory.
yes but i am trying to reinstall it
It is still doing it.
Does it matter if I have a DVD drive or a CD drive or niether?
I also downloaded the tool and everything possible off this site.
Honestly, I don’t know what the problem could be. Neither am I able to find any documentation on this.
If I were you, I’d take this problem to one of the dedicated forums.
Good luck, and please let us know if you find the solution.
Hi Nathan, I am facing the same problem, did you find any solution. please guide me. thanks
So now I’m able to get a screen up that looks like the Playstation start screen thing, but it only goes to the screen that says Browser/System Configuration, and not to the actual game.
HElp me out i dont have the PCSX2 Bios file. where should i get these files
It’s specified in the article.
“So now you basically have two options layed out for you. You can either dump them from your PlayStation 2 yourself, or find someone else who dumped them and who put the files online. “
HEy…i have installed PCSX2 on ma computer…i want to play tekken 5 and i have the DVD..back ofthe cd written USA..
So i changed the console to USA. nd i inserted the dvd to computer..nd changed the cdvdrom to PoeP…like tht. but afta tht when i run the cd/dvd its saying like this
Rom2 not found
****************
Gif reset
Ntsc
Error loading
PLease help me to get ROM2..or please help me how to run ma dvd games….pleaseeeeeeeeeee
The rom2 file can also be found through http://www.ps2bios.cjb.net
sory didnt read this b4
(Comments wont nest below this level)On my screen show browse/configuration setting….so what”s next?.My games was not displayed…Please ,,,help…
ok, i have all the files (including rom2) and set them up. i changed my configurations to the P.E.Op.S because i’m trying to run a CD, and set the configurations to windows xp and the drive but now when i Run CD/DVD i get:
Bios Version 1.0
GIF reset
NTSC
in the ps2 output window. a window also pops up that says:
Error Opening CDVD Plugin
any ideas?
and i tried changing the bios version. no success
I want games from internet burn to cd and then put on ps2 oka!!!
Okay so you’re saying that the better my processor, RAM, and VGA card, the more PS2-esque my PC will be?
I got Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 GhZ, 3 gigs of ram, and a GeForce 8800 GTS with 512mbs. That nuff? I don’t want to do the whole thing to finally get dumbstruck by in-game lagging or anything.
(keep in mind that I have not made the procedure of PS2 emulation yet, but I will soon)
Please keep in mind that even however strong your computer is, it wasn’t designed to do things like this. Also, about all of the drivers were programmed as homebrew and are merely ‘fake imitations’ of the originals.
That said, even with a strong computer like yourself you shouldn’t expect to be able to run a highly graphical game like ‘Black’ the way your PS2 would.
I haven’t tried PS2 emulation on my desktop yet - which is pretty much the same setup as yours, so I can’t tell you exactly how good it’ll work.
I’d say to try it out. Watcha got to lose except a few minutes. I’d also like to hear how it worked out for you.
I’ll do it soon (can’t now, I got finals to worry about) but I’ll let you know once I’m done.
(Comments wont nest below this level)Hi,Simon.
I,ve done everything possible you advised to do and downloaded all available bios files(don’t ask how, but it was 14.35Mb)and whenever i try to run my dvd,it just tells me that pcsx2 has stopped working.I use a Compaq Presario v6560EA(running vista home premium).
Pls,what do i do(cos it’s driving me nuts!!)?
how will we can play takeen tag if i have 4 iso file of tekken tag
I wonder if anyone here knows a website with lots of roms
Ive tried many but never found games id like
Im referring to ps2 ones ^^
Hey,
Downloaded Pcsx2 0.9.6 installed it,
Downloaded all those BIOS files (I do own a PS2, just don’t want to keep going into my lounge to play it)
Rom2 fails to extract, but as above you say it doesn’t need it to play.
I’ve configured slightly differently, as i own a Intel Core 2 Duo E8200 (Overclocked to 3.731Ghz) and nVidia 9600GT…
I’m using the “GSdx 890 (MSVC 15.00,SSSE3) 0.1.14″ Graphics Plugin
Heres the Config I’ve done to it
Resolution: Windowed
Renderer: Direct3D9 (Hardware)
Shader: Pixel Shader 3.0
Interlacing (F5): None
Aspect Ratio (F6): 4:3
D3D internal res: Native
rest is as default
my problem seems to be with Gran Turismo 4, I see the first Screen (The one with White letters displaying the Game stuff with black background) for the amount it should, but then it just goes blank… displaying ~200FPS :l
maybe a stupid question but, how to get the game start with this emulator ??? i put the game dics in my dvd-rom and hit Run cd/dvd on the menu of the emulator. after set the bios, the emulator started with some sort of configuration (time, time zon etc…) but the game does not staarted at all……
If you want to boot from a disc instead, go back to the configuration screen and select the P.E.Op.S driver from the Cdvdrom dropdown menu.
thank you. can i have one more question pls : can i play PS one game with this emulator cause i got alt of PS one games dics and im actually own a PS one but it lens seems to be old and read slow with my games. If can, what the modification need to do with the emulator??
(Comments wont nest below this level)Also on MakeUseOf:
How To play Sony PlayStation (PSX) Games on your PC
My system crashes when I just try to conigure the keypad settings for any of the plugins… Do pirated ISO’s work if they’re re-recorded on a dvd-r on the real thing?
how i play ps2’s DVD in my pc??
i am having problem running ps2 games. it says upgrade your directx.
hello simon .please reply to the comment posted by me if you dont mind
With a little patience, absolutely.
Here’s the latest DirectX 9 distribution (vista+xp)
Hi can u send me rom2 bios need it
all link u have don’t work
I need the Room2 bios couse all the link u put dosent work???????
Hi,
must say that this article was extremely usefull. I am able to run the ps2 games in my PC. “able to run” means not exactly playable, since my system does not have a graphics card. but am going to get one though. Thanks !!
- Shankar.
as to rom2, i too had the issue …. what i did was, copied rom1, pasted in the same folder as “copy of rom1″ and renamed as rom2. Since rom2 is not exactly used as mentioned above, it din throw me any error.
I don’t get it to work….
i have all bios.. but it always says in memcards
“Faild loading MemoryCard From file: memcards/Mcd002.ps2″
and then : ” Error Opening CDVD PLugin”
why what can i do???? and can i just put a orginal ps2 dvd disc and play or?
I don’t get it to work….
i have all bios.. but it always says in memcards
“Faild loading MemoryCard From file: memcards/Mcd002.ps2″
and then : ” Error Opening CDVD PLugin”
why what can i do???? and can i just put a orginal ps2 dvd disc and play or?
…
@alex
May be you have to update your direct X and then in CD/DVD plugin choose Linuz and give the drive name of the iso image. you will be able to play it, You dont need a graphic card.
could i play ps2 games on pc without a graphic card.
pls i cant find any link to download bios directory pls end me a link where i can download .
Thanx in advance ^^
well i think its gud to play n having more fun
Got it booting up but it wipes the controller config everytime I start it up. Using lilly pad plugin but each time I exit its config all the settings are erased leaving me unable to do anything once it starts up since no keys are mapped to the keyboard. Any ideas ?