AppBreakup
Submit an app
PCSX2 logo

PCSX2

Free, open-source PlayStation 2 emulator for playing PS2 games on a computer.

Open sourceEmulators
Visit PCSX2See 5 alternatives
Verified facts
4 of 4
Alternatives ranked
5
Approved reviews
0
Visits sent from here
0

About PCSX2

PCSX2 is the long-running open-source emulator for Sony's PlayStation 2. After nearly two decades of development it runs the large majority of the PS2 library at full speed, including demanding titles that once barely booted. On a computer you can raise the internal resolution well beyond the console's output, use save states, keep virtual memory cards, apply game patches, and record gameplay with its built-in lossless recorder. A compatibility list and detailed documentation help with setup. You need a BIOS dumped from your own PS2 to play. Builds are available for Windows, Linux and macOS, and it costs nothing. It's widely used on handheld PCs like the Steam Deck. Compared with multi-system frontends, it's a dedicated app with deep, PS2-specific settings, which also means a steeper learning curve for fine-tuning problem games.

Best for: Anyone who wants to replay their PS2 library at higher resolutions on a PC or handheld PC.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Most of the PS2 library is playable
  • Upscaling, save states and patches improve on original hardware
  • Long history and thorough documentation

Why people leave

  • Requires a BIOS dumped from your own PS2
  • Some games still need per-game tweaks to run correctly
  • No official mobile version

Top PCSX2 alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1RetroArch logo
    RetroArch

    Includes a PS2 core plus many other systems, if you'd rather manage everything in one frontend.

    66.5
  2. 2Dolphin logo
    Dolphin

    The equivalent for GameCube and Wii, covering many games from the same generation.

    62.6
  3. 3xemu logo
    xemu

    Plays original Xbox games, including many multiplatform titles of the PS2 era.

    59.6
  4. 4PPSSPP logo
    PPSSPP

    Emulates Sony's PSP handheld, which got many PS2-era spin-offs and ports.

    57.2
  5. 5Play! logo
    Play!

    Open-source PS2 emulator that needs no BIOS and also runs on Android, iOS and in a web browser.

    40.0

Why people left PCSX2

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from PCSX2, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers

Write a review of PCSX2
Your rating of PCSX2

Never shown publicly. A work email helps us verify you.

What did you use it for, and what was good or bad? At least 40 characters.

A GitHub username, your company domain, or say you can send a screenshot. Verified reviews count more.

By submitting, you confirm you're at least 16 and agree to our terms. Your name, rating, review and the date are published; your email isn't. See our privacy policy.

PCSX2: common questions

Is PCSX2 free?

Yes. PCSX2 is free, open-source software.

Is PCSX2 open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at PCSX2/pcsx2.

What platforms does PCSX2 run on?

PCSX2 is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to PCSX2?

The highest-ranked PCSX2 alternatives right now are RetroArch, Dolphin and xemu. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 PCSX2 alternatives