RPCS3 is an open source PS3 emulator using which you can play Sony PlayStation 3 games on your Windows, Linux, MAC and FreeBSD devices. After the launches of popular PSP and PS2 emulator DH and Hykem developers started working on RPCS3 PS3 emulator to independently play its games on computers.
(PS2 Emulator) Running PCSX2(ver. 1.4.0) on Mac (High Sierra/Sierra Tested) How to Play PS2 Games on Mac (macOS High Sierra) + ZIP DOWNLOAD! PCSX2 Setup Keyboard & Mouse on Windows/Linux/Mac (PS2 Emulator Input) How to install the Play Station 2 Emulator on Mac (PCSX2 V1.4) PCSX2 Emulator for Mac OS X: Full Setup and Play Any Game (The Ultimate. File Name: pcsx20.9.7.dmg File Size: 11.38 MB System: Sony Playstation 2 Version: 0.9.7 Downloads: 446,343 Not what you are looking for? Check out our Mac emulator section!
RPCS3 is based on the C++ programming language and later back end graphics renderers such as OpenGL, DirectX 12 and Vulcan Libraries supports were also added to make it compatible with more playable games. Due to continuous peoples support RPCS3 has also extended its team. Currently RPCS3 has tested five thousands plus playable games.
RPCS3 emulation project was initially released and hosted on Google Code and was later moved to the GitHub. As of now its latest version just released in this August and many improvements, along with the game data tests can be found on RPCS3 official blogs. Now let’s go through RPCS3 minimum requirements and compatibility for your computer.
RPCS3 Compatibility and Minimum Requirements
Sony’s PlayStation 3 was launched with the intentions to make it compatible with high end games and hence certain high end resourceful device is required to emulate PS3 games on your computer. RPCS3 official build were launched for 64 bit Windows (10, 8, 7), Linux and BSD operating systems but you can make it compatible on MAC after emulating Windows or Linux on MAC. At least 2GB of RAM Memory will work but 4GB RAM is required for the smooth working. Any 64 bit dual core processor with integrated or external Graphics with OpenGL 4.3 support will work. You also need to meet certain software needs such as latest Microsoft Visual C++, DirectX support and compatible AppImage for Linux users.
You also need to download and link the latest PlayStation 3 firmware directory in RPCS3 settings. RPCS3 also suggest only to run purchased games titles through official game drive.
How to download and install RPCS3 on Windows?
RPCS3 is compatible with 64 bit Windows 10, 8 or 7 versions but it will work much better on the latest Windows 10 stable update. You will also need the latest software supports of Visual C++ and DirectX release. If your computer meets all the minimum requirements then let’s start with the RPCS3 installation on your Windows Computer.
- Download RPCS3 emulator for Windows from its official site.
- Extract it on your desktop.
- Download PS3 firmware from PlayStation Website.
- Open RPCS3 emulator folder and launch RPCS3.exe file.
- Click on File and select Install Firmware option.
- Navigate to the downloaded RPCS3 firmware PSPUPDAT.PUP file.
- Let it compile the PS3 firmware.
- Move your PS3 game to the dev_hdd0>disc folder.
- All the games will appear in the RPCS3 emulator Windows.
- Launch the game in order to play PS3 games on your Windows Computer.
- First launch will compile the game before launching and first play will render all the assets of the game. You need to relaunch the Game for the smooth Game Play.
So this is the procedure to install and play PS3 games on Windowss using RPCS3 emulator. You can copy PS3 games from the game discs you own or Google from where to download PS3 games to emulate using RPCS3. First make sure the game is compatible and playable using RPCS3 before downloading it from online sources.
RPCS3 on Linux
RPCS3 Developers has also made its AppImage file available for Linux based computers. RPCS3 AppImage file is available hence you do not need to install it in traditional way. First we will make it executable and then directly run it through command prompt.
- Download RPCS3 for Linux.
- Download the latest PlayStation 3 Update from Sony’s PS official site.
- Rename RPCS3 downloaded file as ‘RPCS3.AppImage’.
- Open command prompt and enter command to change the directory to the download folder.
cd ‘/home/user_name/Downloads’
Change the user_name with your computer’s user name.
- Give the execution permission to the RPCS3 emulator.
chmod a+x ./RPCS3.AppImage
- Run the RPCS3 emulator.
./RPCS3.AppImage
- Select the first ‘file‘ option and click on install firmware.
- Chose the downloaded PS3 firmware and wait till RPCS3 finishes the compilation.
- Again select the file option and click on Add Game and select the directory containing one or more games.
So that’s how you can play PS3 games on your Linux Device.
RPCS3 on MAC
RPCS3 is officially not available for MAC but using a trick we can also emulate PlayStation 3 on MAC too. There are two ways to achieve this goal either by emulating Windows or Linux on your MacBook or by dual booting your MAC with Windows or Linux. Then you can easily install RPCS3 on your MAC by following our previous solutions.
There are range for compatible and easy to rely on software available to emulate Windows and Linux on MAC, let’s checkout the options. First and most used software is VirtualBox, it is most widely used by MacBook users to try out different Windows software on the apple devices and it works perfectly for most of them. VirtualBox is free to use also supports various Linux and old Windows versions.
Emulating Windows on MAC isn’t much reliable for playing Windows Games and hence dual booting MAC device with the Windows is the best option to go for. If you have enough experience with the command prompt then you can also multi boot your MAC with the Linux and enjoy the ultimate RPCS3 emulator on your MAC.
So this was the ultimate guide on using RPCS3 emulator on Windows, MAC and Linux. I hope that it prove you helpful in playing PS3 games on your computer. You can also inform us about better PS3 emulators in the comment section.
PCSX2 Ultimate for MAC - posted in PS2 Emulation: QuoteMany thanks to 'devilhunter' and 'Iska'. I want to give this to devilhunter for inspiring me to take a look at this kind of stuff.
Quick recap of this article and what you are about to read:
- Pcsx2 1.9.93 for Mac can be downloaded from our website for free. The most frequent installer filename for the program is: pcsx20.9.7.dmg. The following version: 0.9 is the most frequently downloaded one by the program users. Pcsx2 was developed to work on Mac OS X 10.4 or later. Pcsx2 for Mac lies within System Tools, more precisely Device.
- RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players. It enables you to run classic games on a wide range of computers and consoles through its slick graphical interface.
- Download PS2 Emulator for windows 10/8/7 or mac pc to play PS2 games on your Windows 10/8.1/7/Xp/Vista using PCSX2 Emulator 2020 Latest Version.
- Emulators » Sony Playstation 2 » Mac OS X » PCSX2. PS2 Emulator for Mac OS X. PCSX2 is a free and open-source PlayStation 2 emulator for.
Using a Sony PlayStation 2 emulator to play its video games on your personal computer can be more fun and exciting. Find out more and understand about using the top 8 PS2 emulators for PC & macOS and engaging in more thrills.
If you are an avid and enthusiast video game player and love playing video games on whatever device you can get hold of such as any exclusive video gaming console, your iOS or Android-based tablet or smartphone, or even a computer, you probably would have thought about one common question.
And that question is about why you cannot get to play all your games on a computer.
This question usually arises especially when you are playing your favorite game on a mobile phone or any other gaming console.
This is because it is a well-known and well established belief that playing video games on a computer is much more fun than playing it on any other platform.
So the next question that comes to mind is about if it is possible and how do you do it?
Well, technically it is possible through a software or hardware support called an emulator.
In this article, we look at what an emulator is and how it works, with a particular focus on the top 8 PS2 (PlayStation 2) emulators for personal computers (PC).
What is an emulator?
While it may have been pretty clear of what an emulator is from the words described above, in its simplest form an emulator is a piece of hardware or software installed on a personal computer to enable it to act as another device.
The personal computer in this case is called a host platform and the device it will support will become its guest.
Technically, by using an emulator, one platform can be adjusted to perform the functions of another platform, thus making it possible to run, read and write over its software and programs or video games in this case which we discuss later.
How does an emulator work?
Basically, an emulator is more of software that transforms or recreates the functions of one platform to create a virtual environment in which software from any other platform can work totally and easily in a way as if it was originally working on the platform for which it was intended to be.
Also Read: Best PS3 Emulator for PS3 that works
Best 8 Sony PlayStation (PS2 Emulators) for Personal Computer
Since using an emulator means virtually recreating a different platform’s working environment onto another platform, it should be no wonder that selecting the right PS2 emulator for your PC can be quite tricky and hard.
For this reason, we have carefully selected and briefly reviewed the following 8 best PS2 emulators for PCs to choose from.
In addition to this, we have also listed down a few pros and cons for each of the recommended PS2 emulators for PC to help you decide and pick the right one.
1. PCSX2
Initially released in March of 2002 with its stable version launched in May of 2020, it has almost been 2 decades since PCSX2 has been there as a PS2 emulator for personal computers.
It is also one of the most famous and widely used emulators for playing Sony PS2 games on a PC.
But just like any other PS2 emulator, it also is a combination of some good points as well as bad points which we have mentioned below –
Pros
- It is free to use and an open source emulator.
- Currently it is available in 22 languages.
- It supports Windows, Linux and macOS.
- It offers support for a wide number of video games, almost up to 90% of them. For complete details and list of supported video games, visit their website for latest updates and news.
- By being out there for almost 2 decades now, it makes it one of the most sorted and well tested PS2 emulators you will ever come across.
- Its supported custom resolution is 4096 x 4096 pixels.
- Game saving and retrieving at any point is easy and smooth.
Cons
- PCSX2 is technically better for playing simple games. When it comes to playing complicated and more advanced games, it might lack to some extent.
- There are still some complex nature issues with its code and plugins which make it unbearable at times.
Download(Windows) (macOS)
2. ePSXe
ePSXe is another well-known and almost 2 decades old, free to use, and quite reliable Sony PS2 emulator for personal computers.
It was initially released in October of 2000.
Pros
- It is compatible with most of the games for Sony PS2.
- Aside from being available on the personal computers (Windows, Linux and macOS), it is also available for Android users.
- Menu system and settings control is much easier to adjust on the ePSXe emulator.
Cons
- Most games run smoothly with the basic configuration that comes as a default, but some games might have issues running flawlessly. If this happens, download the individual game patches and plug-ins available online for a better experience.
- Auto-saving and auto-loading issues may arise in certain cases.
- Leaving the system idle for some time may close the ePSXe emulator and crash the currently running game as well.
Download(Windows) (macOS)
3. RetroArch
Our third selection for the PS2 emulator is RetroArch. RetroArch was originally released in May of 2010 and since then have released many versions which make it one of the most stable and smoothly functioning PS2 game simulators for PC users.
It is also free to use, based on an open-source program and is a front end for cross platform emulation.
Pros
- In addition to playing PS2 games, RetroArch can also cater video games from other famous gaming consoles, whether new or old classic ones.
- It can run on Windows, Linux and macOS.
- It also offers a great and stress-free way of settings and controls. Just configure it once in the beginning and then it will adjust on its own every other time.
- Although quite lengthy for beginners, its user interface is easy and user friendly.
Cons
- Hardware configuration and finding the right core for a game might not be easy especially when RetroArch has so many to offer.
- In the beginning, it can be quite complex to handle. Therefore, it is generally considered not a good choice for those who are more used to playing on standard configurations and old emulators.
Download(Windows) (macOS)
Pcsx2 For Mac High Sierra
4. BizHawk
Although it might sound something like a business app, it is not.
BizHawk is another one of the most popular and widely used PS2 emulators for PC users out there.
It is also packed with multi-system emulation and offers some cool features and functions such as playback, recording and debugging tools.
Pros
- Users can control the speed of the video game they are playing like frame stepping and rewinding. This helps a lot since playing on a personal computer and a gaming console like Sony PS2 are basically two different systems with different hardware configuration by default.
- Users can also take screenshots while playing games as well as record gameplay videos together with audio. This is particularly useful for people who share such things on their social media with fans.
- Besides PS2, BizHawk supports a number of other platforms such as Apple II, Attari, NEC, Nintendo, Sega, Uzebox, etc.
Cons
- Game speed while playing some games might seem a bit too fast or slow. This means that it would need to be adjusted for different games every time.
- It might crash at times while recording gameplay videos.
Download(Windows)
5. PS2Emu
The PS2Emu is a PS2 emulator for PC users by Shunt, Scar_T and Roor.
As a matter of fact, this emulator is comparatively newer so it is still a long way before its stable release.
Pcsx2 Download For Windows 10
Best Ps2 Emulator Mac
But despite this issue, PC video gamers having experience of using other PS2 emulators for PC have so far reported smooth and satisfactory gameplay modes with very few distractions or complications.
Pros
- It offers full screen and similar sound quality on the PC.
- Users can easily capture screenshots in multiple image formats.
- It also supports playing with a joystick via DirectX.
- It offers memory card support and good quality graphics.
Cons
- As it is new, you will only find a limited number of games that it supports currently.
Download(Windows)
6. PCSX-Reloaded
PCSX-Reloaded is another emulator for running Sony PS2 games on a personal computer.
Its stable version was released in 2013 which makes it quite reliable and free from major issues.
The PCSX-Reloaded is basically a free and open-source video game emulator.
Pros
- Is an excellent solution provider as its users do not need to dump PS BIOS. It can still replicate the Sony PlayStation 2 BIOS by using top-level emulation.
- It has gone through major software improvements and thus can strongly support running many games.
Cons
- Although it is now a stable version and does not need any fixes, it still is not suitable for every user due to its non-user-friendly interface and complicated options.
Download(Windows)
7. NeutrinoSX2 Emulator
Pcsx2 For Mac High Sierra
NeutrinoSX2 is another good option to use as an emulator for playing Sony PS2 games on a personal computer.
If you have used the PCSX2 emulator on a personal computer, chances are that you might find it easy to use.
NeutrinoSX2 is also open-source and free to use.
However, just like quite a few other Sony PS2 emulators, it is also under construction which means users will likely come across some issues related to gameplay and configuration, etc.
Pros
- Despite being not released in its stable form, it still offers high-quality sound for the games it supports.
- It features a saving state.
- Users can easily deploy cheat codes during gameplay to enhance their performance.
- Although it supports a limited number of games, its compatibility with them is can still be praised.
Cons
- Since it is still under developmental stages, users will still have to wait for it’s more stable and complete version before they can enjoy its full potential.
Download(Windows)
8. HPSx64
The full name of HPSx64 is basically ‘Highly Experimental PlayStation Simulator x64’.
HPSx64 is being developed by a single person whose online name is The Gangster 256. Although it was initially released somewhere about 8 to 9 years ago, it is still under development and experimental stage.
Pros
- Even though it is in its developmental stage, it still boasts a quite similar gaming experience as that of Sony PS2.
Cons
- The current version is available for Windows only and that too for the 64 bit version.
- It still is under development stage so some issues regarding compatibility may arise.
- It does not have a cheat system till yet.
- Graphic quality might not be that great for some users.
End thoughts
To end our discussion and recommendation list about the best 8 Sony PlayStation 2 Emulators, let us now look at two important concepts with regards to using emulators in general.
Is using an emulator legal?
While it is often argued whether using an emulator is legal or not, the fact is that a part of it is legal whereas a part of it isn’t.
Pcsx2 Download
Using an emulator itself is totally legal so you can actually download any of the above mentioned emulators for Sony PlayStation 2 and run on your personal computer.
But for the illegal part, remember that video games are copyright content under intellectual property rights.
Ps2 Emulator El Capitan
This means that sharing or downloading from the internet of ROMs for games is without any doubt illegal.
So make sure that the ones you use are the ones that you have bought and have the ownership of.
Is it worth using an emulator and does it provide with the same level of fun and experience
Pcsx2 M1 Mac
Another good point to remember here is that using emulators on a personal computer to play video games and playing a video game on a gaming console such as Sony PlayStation 2 are completely different things.
No matter how stable and well written the source code for an emulator is, it still won’t replicate or re-create the original and authentic experience of an actual gaming console.
Thus, there will always be some lacking on the part of it.
Ps2 Emulator No Download
We have covered the best PS2 emulator for you, now it’s your turn to select one of them and simulate PlayStation gaming on your desktop.