PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2

PS2 Specifications

Processor: Emotion Engine (128-bit)
Processor Speed: 294.912 MHz (299 MHz on new versions)
Co-Processor: Floating -point unit (FPU) (32-bit)
Co-Processor Speed: 147.456 MHz
System Memory: 32 MB RDRAM
GPU: Graphics Synthesizer
GPU Speed: 147.456 MHz
VRAM: 4 MB
Resolution: 256 x 224 to 1280 x 1024 pixels
Audio Processor: SPU
Audio Processor Speed: 8 MHz
Audio Processor Memory: 2 MB
Audio Channels: 48
Audio Sample Frequency: 44.1 kHZ or 48 kHZ

The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a sixth-generation console and was Sony’s successor to there incredibly successful console, the PlayStation 1 (PSX). The PS2 went on to be the biggest selling console of all time, selling an incredible 155 million units throughout its extended lifetime from the year to 2000 right up to 2013.

The PlayStation 2 went up against some of the stiffest competition in gaming history, as well as having to go up against surprise entry from software giant Microsoft. It competed against Sega’s final console entry, the SEGA Dreamcast, Nintendo’s GameCube and Microsoft Xbox.

A key feature to the PlayStation 2 was its ability to be fully backward compatible with the PlayStation 1 (PSX) games. This means a user who chose to buy the new console did not have to ditch there whole games library or retain the older console. This was in stark contrast to Sony’s competitors at the time, as a new console often meant all your games were rendered useless. The PS2 also managed to retain support for the previous generations’ Dualshock controllers.

Emulation of the PS2 has been somewhat successful, largely in thanks to the PCSX2 emulation project. PCSX2 was originally started by the development team, who made the PlayStation 1 (PSX) Emulator, PCSX.

PCSX2 proved that the emulation of the PS2 could be achieved. While it has taken a few years, the emulation of the PS2 has matured exceptionally well. Almost every single game now being playable and enough knowledge of the PS2 is now known to be able to emulate it while achieving great speed accurately.

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PS2 Emulators

PCSX2 Thumbnail

PCSX2 is the best available PlayStation 2 emulator. It boasts a high level of compatibility and features support for many of the more unique features of the PS2.

Play! Thumbnail

Play! is a PS2 emulator that aims to emulate the PlayStation 2 to a high enough level that it would not need to rely on the PS2 BIOS to operate as other PlayStation 2 emulators do.

PS2emu Thumbnail

PS2emu is an experimental PlayStation 2 emulator that was used as a testbed for techniques to speed up PS2 emulation. This emulator cannot run any PS2 games and is no longer in development.

NeutrinoSX2 Thumbnail

NeutrinoSX2 was one of the earliest open-source attempts to emulate the PlayStation 2 system. While unable to emulate commercial games, it helped create an understanding of how the PS2 could be emulated.