The fact the PCSX2 emulator exists pretty much explains why I rarely power up my PlayStation 2.
It’s taken more than two decades, but the PlayStation 2’s library is now almost completely preserved — at least in emulated form. The developers behind PCSX2, the long-running PS2 emulator, have announced that the project now supports over 99.5% of all known PS2 titles.
That is a remarkable milestone in console emulation. There’s not much chance that you own any of the .5% of the 4350-ish PS2 games, after all. (Although that’s about 24 games, so don’t rule it out entirely.)
So this means that blockbusters like Shadow of the Colossus and Metal Gear Solid 3 and obscure Japanese exclusives are now playable from start to finish on modern hardware. While not every game is perfect, this figure represents functional, full-game completion for all but a tiny handful of titles. In short: if it ran on a PS2, chances are it now runs on PCSX2.
Two decades of persistence pay off
Originally launched in 2002, PCSX2 was almost immediately popular. I recall colleagues had it installed on their work PCs during the 2000s (IT and technical staff, of course!), and everyone was impressed with what it could do.
Since then, the emulator has grown from a barely functional proof-of-concept to one of the most polished emulators ever released. Its developers have spent years reverse-engineering Sony’s notoriously complex hardware (the Emotion Engine and GS graphics hardware), all to recreate the quirks that made PS2 titles both magical and maddening to port.
Here’s a look at NBA Live 2002, recorded running on the PCSX2 emulator.
Today’s version features everything modern players expect — widescreen patches, save states, texture filtering, and support for modern controllers — while maintaining an obsessive dedication to authenticity. The emulator’s developers continue to fix bugs, refine rendering accuracy, and improve performance across all platforms.
The gold standard for PlayStation 2 preservation
With PS2 discs becoming harder to find and original hardware increasingly fragile, PCSX2 ensures that the system’s library isn’t lost to time or dying CD-ROM drives.
And with modern PCs, handhelds, and even Android devices capable of running the emulator smoothly, the PS2’s catalogue is more accessible now than it’s ever been.
PCSX2 can be downloaded for free via pcsx2.net.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
