Hey guys, long time lurker on these forums, but a big fan of PCSX2.
EDIT: FYI, I'm using PCSX2 beta r1888.
PCSX2 has finally reached a level where PS2 games are playable. What's more amazing is that it runs games at playable framerates even with 4 times the graphical fidelity of an actual PS2. I'm talking up to 1080p with 3x AA here.
The catch is that almost every game needs it's own custom settings in PCSX2 to run properly. A few games can share the same emulator configuration, but you'll find that one game is totally unplayable on those same settings, forcing you to go through yet another trail and error marathon with the emulator's options till the game runs right.
I'm writing this post as a reference for myself, as I have found quite a few variations for the various PS2 games in my collection that I have no hope of remembering for long.
Please note: The graphical settings I'm using to run PS2 games require a monster overclock and a top of the line graphics card. The speeds I'm getting right now were not even possible for me before I upgraded from an nVidia GTX280 to an ATI 5870. There's about a 20fps difference between the two cards in PCSX2, which meant I had to keep the "texture filtering" setting grayed out in order to play at 60fps stable on the GTX280 in the past.
These settings are still useful if you have a lower end rig, just don't crank up the graphics quality to 11!
Starting with the common settings:
Graphics plugin
CPU settings
Ok, here we go:
WIPEOUT PULSE
The precursor to Wipeout HD on the PS3. Game is fun, but it's easy to mess up the config and get jittery performance with this one.
Configuration
Advanced Settings, Speed Hacks
Screenshots:
1, 2
ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2ND RUNNER
One of the most amazing games on the PS2, has not been matched with a next-gen mech game to date in my opinion. This game is not perfectly emulated, any section in the game with blurring ends up running at very low framerates as seen on these shots:
1, 2, 3
Other than the slowdowns when there is massive blurring, the game is easily playable and running at 60fps stable. Fortunately the aforementioned blurring effects only occur during cut-scenes, so you can still play the game until the PCSX2 developers sort out this issue in a future release.
Configuration
Advanced Settings, Speed Hacks
Screenshots:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS
My favourite PS2 game by far, this is the most striking example of how great a last-gen game can look with just an increased resolution. Going from the title's original resolution of 512x512 on the PS2 to true high definition 1080p on PCSX2, this game can rival early PS3 titles.
Configuration
Advanced Settings, Speed Hacks
Screenshots:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Saved this for last...
GRAN TURISMO 4
The most notoriously difficult PS2 game to emulate, this title has eluded playable status on the PCSX2 for years. It's like the emulation scene's Crysis!
It's finally playable, and just check out the screenshots. Beautiful.
Configuration
Advanced Settings, Speed Hacks
Screenshots:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
That's it for now. Hope this helps someone looking to try out a few PS2 games on their gamer laptops or in HD.
EDIT: FYI, I'm using PCSX2 beta r1888.
PCSX2 has finally reached a level where PS2 games are playable. What's more amazing is that it runs games at playable framerates even with 4 times the graphical fidelity of an actual PS2. I'm talking up to 1080p with 3x AA here.
The catch is that almost every game needs it's own custom settings in PCSX2 to run properly. A few games can share the same emulator configuration, but you'll find that one game is totally unplayable on those same settings, forcing you to go through yet another trail and error marathon with the emulator's options till the game runs right.
I'm writing this post as a reference for myself, as I have found quite a few variations for the various PS2 games in my collection that I have no hope of remembering for long.
Please note: The graphical settings I'm using to run PS2 games require a monster overclock and a top of the line graphics card. The speeds I'm getting right now were not even possible for me before I upgraded from an nVidia GTX280 to an ATI 5870. There's about a 20fps difference between the two cards in PCSX2, which meant I had to keep the "texture filtering" setting grayed out in order to play at 60fps stable on the GTX280 in the past.
These settings are still useful if you have a lower end rig, just don't crank up the graphics quality to 11!
Starting with the common settings:
Graphics plugin
CPU settings
Ok, here we go:
WIPEOUT PULSE
The precursor to Wipeout HD on the PS3. Game is fun, but it's easy to mess up the config and get jittery performance with this one.
Configuration
Advanced Settings, Speed Hacks
Screenshots:
1, 2
ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2ND RUNNER
One of the most amazing games on the PS2, has not been matched with a next-gen mech game to date in my opinion. This game is not perfectly emulated, any section in the game with blurring ends up running at very low framerates as seen on these shots:
1, 2, 3
Other than the slowdowns when there is massive blurring, the game is easily playable and running at 60fps stable. Fortunately the aforementioned blurring effects only occur during cut-scenes, so you can still play the game until the PCSX2 developers sort out this issue in a future release.
Configuration
Advanced Settings, Speed Hacks
Screenshots:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS
My favourite PS2 game by far, this is the most striking example of how great a last-gen game can look with just an increased resolution. Going from the title's original resolution of 512x512 on the PS2 to true high definition 1080p on PCSX2, this game can rival early PS3 titles.
Configuration
Advanced Settings, Speed Hacks
Screenshots:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Saved this for last...
GRAN TURISMO 4
The most notoriously difficult PS2 game to emulate, this title has eluded playable status on the PCSX2 for years. It's like the emulation scene's Crysis!
It's finally playable, and just check out the screenshots. Beautiful.
Configuration
Advanced Settings, Speed Hacks
Screenshots:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
That's it for now. Hope this helps someone looking to try out a few PS2 games on their gamer laptops or in HD.
C2D E8400 @ 4ghz
Asus Maximus Formula
G.Skill 4gb (2x2gb) @ 1000mhz
XFX 5870 1gb
Intel X-25m 160GB SSD
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Dell 30" 3007wfp
Asus Maximus Formula
G.Skill 4gb (2x2gb) @ 1000mhz
XFX 5870 1gb
Intel X-25m 160GB SSD
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Dell 30" 3007wfp