PCSX2 - General Guide

PCSX2 is a free and open-source PlayStation 2 (PS2) emulator.

PCSX2 Links

Resource	Link
PCSX2 Compability List	Link
PCSX2 Documentation	Link
PCSX2 Github	Link
PCSX2 Website	Link

Where to put the games

Playstation 2 games should be put under the retrodeck/roms/ps2/ directory.

What file formats are supported?

File Format	Description
.iso	Standard ISO disc image
.bin + .cue	Binary disc image file with cue sheet
.chd	Compressed Hunks of Data (Recommended)

Does PCSX2 require BIOS or Firmware?

Yes, there exists several PS2 BIOS from different regions and hardware versions.

You need at least one.

Region	Typical BIOS Region / Use Case
NTSC-U (USA / North America)	Used for North American PS2 games (60 Hz, NTSC format)
PAL (Europe / Australia)	Used for European / PAL-region games (50 Hz)
NTSC-J (Japan / Asia)	Required for Japanese PS2 games and imports (NTSC format)

Read more here:

PCSX2 - BIOS Guide

Where to put the PS2 BIOS?

Directly into the folder

retrodeck/bios/

Directory structure

Type	Directory	Comment
BIOS	`retrodeck/bios/`
Cheats	`retrodeck/cheats/PCSX2/`	PCSX2/cheats
Config	`~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck/config/PCSX2/`
Logs	`retrodeck/logs/PCSX2/`	PCSX2/logs
Mods	`retrodeck/mods/PCSX2/patches/`	PCSX2/patches
ROMs	`retrodeck/roms/ps2/`
Saves	`retrodeck/saves/ps2/pcsx2/`
Memory Cards	`retrodeck/saves/ps2/pcsx2/memcards/`
Screenshots	`retrodeck/screenshots/PCSX2/`
States	`retrodeck/states/ps2/pcsx2/`
Texture Packs	`retrodeck/texture_packs/PCSX2/textures/`	PCSX2/textures
Videos	`retrodeck/videos/PCSX2/`

Enable Cheats

Place your .pnach files in: retrodeck/cheats/pcsx2/

Open PCSX2 via the RetroDECK Configurator.
Right-click the game you want to configure and select Properties.
Open the Cheats tab and enable Cheats.
Check Enabled next to the cheat you want to activate.

Enable Patches: Widescreen and more

Open PCSX2 via the RetroDECK Configurator.
Right-click the game you want to configure and click on Properties.
Open Patches and enable the patch (if there is one) by checking Enabled.

Different Settings Per Game

Open PCSX2 via the RetroDECK Configurator.
Right-click the game you want to configure and click on Properties.
Adjust any settings you want and apply.

Emulate the Multitap (PCSX2)

Multitap allows up to 8 players on the PlayStation 2 by connecting 4 controllers to each controller port.

Note: Most games do not support this feature, and some may not work with it enabled.

Open PCSX2 via the RetroDECK Configurator.
Go to Settings → Controllers → Controller Multitap.
Enable/disable Multitap for Port 1, Port 2, or both by checking the box.
New controller slots (1A-1D and 2A-2D) will appear for mapping.

Emulate the EyeToy (PCSX2)

Requires a USB webcam or integrated webcam.

Open PCSX2 via the RetroDECK Configurator.
Go to Settings → Controllers → USB Port.
From the dropdown, select Webcam (EyeToy).
Choose the Device Name of your connected camera.

Configuring Language Settings

PCSX2 GUI Language

PCSX2 typically follows your system locale if supported.

Open PCSX2 via the RetroDECK Configurator.
Navigate to Settings → Interface → Interface.
Under Preferences, select your preferred language from the drop-down menu.
Close PCSX2.

BIOS / In-Game Language

Open PCSX2 via the RetroDECK Configurator.
Go to Settings → BIOS.
Under Options and Patches, uncheck Fast Boot, then close the menu.
Go to System → Start BIOS.
In the BIOS, navigate to System Configuration → Language and select your preferred language.
Exit the BIOS, return to Settings → BIOS → Options and Patches, and re-enable Fast Boot.
Close PCSX2.

Adding Texture Packs

Note: Some texture packs are made for specific game versions or regions. Ensure you have the correct game and textures. Each game has a unique TITLEID.

Enable Custom Textures

Open PCSX2 via the RetroDECK Configurator.

Globally for All Games

Go to Settings → Graphics → Texture Replacement.
Enable Load Textures and Async Texture Loading.

Per Game

In the PCSX2 interface, right-click the game and open the menu.
Go to Game Properties → Graphic Settings → Texture Replacement.
Enable Load Textures and Async Texture Loading.

Adding Texture Packs

Extract texture pack files from .zip or other compressed formats.
Navigate to retrodeck/texture_packs/PCSX2/textures/.
Locate the correct TITLEID for your game.
Move the texture files into: retrodeck/texture_packs/PCSX2/textures/<TITLEID>
If the textures match the game, they will load the next time the game is launched.

Disc Swapping (In-Game)

Follow these steps to swap discs in PCSX2 without restarting your game:

Pause the game at the "Insert Disc" screen.
Open the PCSX2 menu (press Esc or your the Open Menu Hotkey).
Navigate to System → Change Disc → ISO Selector.
Select the next disc file (ISO or CHD) you want to load.
Resume the game, it should continue seamlessly from where you left off.