Fortunately, PCSX2 comes with built-in support for gamepads, with the ability to re-map controller functions. Using Gamepads for Playstation 2 Emulationįor the authentic PS2 experience, a keyboard and mouse is less than ideal. For a thorough look at this software, check out our PCSX2 review. There are several configuration guides available on the PCSX2 website. A DVD drive plugin means that it is simply a matter of placing the PS2 game disc in your PC’s drive and you are ready to play. Plugins are available to control the PS2 emulation’s graphics, map controllers and even mimic the USB and Firewire ports of the original console.
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The software uses a plugin-based architecture, so additional functions are easy to add to the emulator. PCSX2 acts as a fully-fledged Playstation 2 on your PC, and is free to download.
The majority of emulators ceased development, leaving only one: PCSX2. However, the PS2’s unusual multi-core architecture made it both difficult to emulate and demanding on CPUs and graphic cards. During the early 2000s, several PS2 emulators were under development, such as neutrinoSX2 and PS2 Emu.
A History of PS2 EmulatorsĪs soon as PC hardware was powerful enough in the 1990s, PC coders set about recreating their favourite classic videogame consoles in software form. One solution is to turn your PC into a PS2 using free emulation software. Many gamers have built up large collections of classic PS2 games, but with their Playstation 2 consoles getting old and Sony’s controversial decision to remove backwards compatibility from the PS3, they are worried how much longer they can play them. The Playstation 2 is one of the most popular game consoles of all time, with more than 140 million sold up to the end of 2009.