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PCSX2 - General Guide

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


PCSX2 Documentation

PCSX2 Website

PCSX2 Github

PCSX2 Compability List


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 check the:

PCSX2 - BIOS Guide

Where to put the PSX BIOS?

Directly into the folder

retrodeck/bios/

Folder structure

Type Folder Comment
ROMs Folder retrodeck/roms/ps2/
Saves Folder retrodeck/saves/ps2/pcsx2/memcards/
States Folder retrodeck/states/ps2/pcsx2/
Config Folder ~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck/config/PCSX2/
BIOS Folder retrodeck/bios/
Texture Pack Folder retrodeck/texture_packs/PCSX2/ Represents PCSX2/textures/

How-to: Emulate the Multitap?

Multitap is a way to have up to 8 players on the Playstation 2, by hooking 4 players in each controller port.

Most games do not support this feature and some might not even work with it enabled.

  1. Open the Configurator and open PCSX2.
  2. Go to Settings -> Controllers -> Controller Multitap
  3. Enable/disable Multitap by clicking the checkbox for either Port 1, Port 2 or both.
  4. Several new controllers called 1A to 1D and 2A to 2D will be enabled to map.

How-to: Emulate in the EyeToy?

You need to have a USB Webcam connected or an Integrated Webcam.

  1. Open the Configurator and open PCSX2.
  2. Go to Settings -> Controllers -> Select USB Port -> Select Webcam (EyeToy) from the Dropdown list -> Select the Device Name of your connected Camera from the Dropdown list.

Change in-game language or system language

PCSX2 Interface

Normally it should follow your system locale if supported by PCSX2

  1. Open the Configurator and open PCSX2.
  2. Go to Settings -> Interface -> Interface
  3. Under Preferences you can change the language from the drop-down menu.
  4. Close PCSX2.

For the BIOS / Games

  1. Open the Configurator and open PCSX2.
  2. Go to Settings -> BIOS
  3. Under Options and Patches uncheck Fast Boot and close the menu.
  4. Go to System -> Start BIOS to open the BIOS.
  5. Within the BIOS navigate to System Configuration -> Language and change the language.
  6. Close the BIOS go back to Settings -> BIOS -> Options and Patches and check Fast Boot checkbox again.
  7. Close PCSX2.

How to add texture packs?

The ~/retrodeck/texture_packs/PCSX2/ represents the /PCSX2/textures/ folder in PCSX2.

Note:

Some texture packs could made for a specific version or region of a game. Make sure you have the right game and textures for it.

TITLEID is different for every game.

Enable Custom Textures

Open up PCSX2 from the RetroDECK Configurator by pressing Open Emulator - PCSX2.

You can either enable textures globally or per game.

Globally for all games

  1. Go to Settings -> Graphics -> Texture Replacement
  2. Enable Load Textures and Async Texture Loading.

Per game

  1. In the main PCXS2 interface Right Click the game you want to bring up the menu.
  2. Go to Game Properties -> Graphic Settings -> Texture Replacement
  3. Enable Load Textures and Async Texture Loading.

Add the texture packs to the correct folder

  1. Extract any texture pack files from compressed .zip or any other compressed format.
  2. Go into ~/retrodeck/texture_packs/PCSX2/.
  3. Find the correct TITLEID that mactches your game.
  4. Move textures into the right ~/retrodeck/texture_packs/PCSX2/<TITLEID> folder.
  5. If the textures match the game they should be loaded on next time you launch the game.