PCSX2 is an open-source PlayStation 2 emulator that uses a combination of MIPS CPU interpreters, recompilers, and a plugin-based virtual machine to manage the PS2’s hardware states and system memory.
With over a decade of development, PCSX2 is capable of running over 2000 games, many of them at full speed. 64-bit versions are currently in development and testing, with more details available on the official website.
It’s been almost a year since the release of PCSX2 2.0 , one of the most significant releases in the project’s history. Since then, the team has released version 2.2.0 and, most recently, 2.4.0, continuing to refine the features introduced in 2.0 and adding some bold new features.
This report follows the chronological evolution of the project, showing the progress made and previewing what to expect from version 2.6.0 , scheduled for release in late 2025.
With version 2.2.0, the team wanted to focus on polishing the experience after the massive release of 2.0. With some long-time contributors, such as lead developer refraction , reducing their involvement, the team chose to “polish” the software, improving details and stability.
Among the new features, contributor Florin9doi has implemented support for new emulated peripherals, such as the Trance Vibrator , the Gametrak/RealPlay device , Jogcon , NeGcon , Mascon train controllers ( Type 2 , Shinkansen and Ryojōhen ), the Konami microphone , Zip 100 and PictureParadise .
Additionally, the EyeToy emulation now supports audio and Buzz! devices have a custom interface, thanks also to the work of early contributor joestringer .
1 of 2
A significant improvement has been made to the handling of per-pixel alpha blending (PABE) by LightningTerror , the team’s graphics expert.
The new implementation combines software blending (more accurate but slower) with hardware blending (faster but less accurate), achieving a balance that improves both visual fidelity and performance for many PS2 blending configurations.
Additionally, contributor Chaoticgd has revolutionized the debugger, allowing MIPS, SNDLL, and ELF symbol tables to be read from game binaries, displaying global, local, and parameter variables in a tree structure, useful for games like Pac-Man World 2 and others that include debug symbols.
KamFretoZ has introduced compression options for savestates, with formats like Zstandard , Deflate64 and LZMA2 and four compression levels, also allowing for saving uncompressed states for those who prefer speed over space.
On the connectivity front, AirGamer has improved the DEV9 emulation, bringing PCSX2 one step closer to supporting PS2 Linux and PlayStation Broadband Navigator – the only remaining hurdle is full address translation buffer (TLB) emulation.
Version 2.2.0 also included numerous smaller improvements, such as endianness support in the debugger, fixed VAAPI support on Linux, the addition of selectable pixel formats for video capture, a direct link to a game’s wiki page from within the application, and many other optimizations and fixes.
With version 2.4.0, the team has once again innovated, introducing some impressive features. One of the most notable additions is support for “render target in render target” (RT in RT), completed by refraction as the final contribution after over twenty years of dedication.
This feature addresses rendering issues in games that use special techniques to draw portions of images, improving titles like Jak X: Combat Racing , Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex , Drakengard , and Hitman: Contracts .
Another new feature is the ability to set a custom real-time clock (RTC), introduced by TheTechnician27 . This allows you to manipulate the date and time in games, which can be useful for accessing exclusive content (like the Insomniac Museum in Ratchet & Clank or holiday events in The Simpsons: Hit & Run ) and for improving your assisted speedrun (TAS) capabilities.
Additionally, refraction has optimized the use of HDR textures to properly emulate the PS2’s numerical wrapping, improving performance in games like Sly 2 and Big Mutha Truckers .
LightningTerror has revitalized the Direct3D 11 renderer, fixing resource management issues and implementing optimizations that increase performance in numerous games.
On the macOS front, lead developer fobes introduced binary signing, eliminating issues with Gatekeeper. For Linux, GovanifY made Wayland the default, thanks to improvements in Qt 6.9, while still maintaining X11 support.
A new upscaling fix tool, called Align to Native with Texture Offset (AtNTO), has been introduced by refraction and JordanTheToast , improving sharpness in over 100 games, including Ace Combat 04 and Shadow of the Colossus .
The debugger was further improved by Chaoticgd with a redesigned and customizable interface, while the update to SDL3, led by AirGamer , brought full support for the DualShock 3 on Linux and a more modern API.
Finally, numerous small improvements, such as support for MemCard PRO2 , the addition of column titles in the debugger, audio fixes and an update to the redump database, complete the picture of a 2.4.0 version that demonstrates the team’s commitment to making PCSX2 an increasingly complete and refined emulator.
Source: pcsx2.net
Dịch Vụ Chép Game Tại TP.HCM – Hỗ Trợ Tất Cả Quận
Chép Game Ổ Cứng Ngoài Giá Rẻ – Hỗ Trợ PS, Xbox, Nintendo, PC
Dịch Vụ Chép Game PSP Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất
Dịch Vụ Chép Game PSVITA Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất
Dịch Vụ Chép Game PS2 Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất
Dịch Vụ Chép Game NINTENDO SWITCH Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất
Dịch Vụ Chép Game PS5 Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất
Dịch Vụ Chép Game XBOX 360 Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất
Dịch Vụ Chép Game PS3 Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất
Dịch Vụ Chép Game PS4 Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất
Dịch Vụ Chép Game PC Giá Rẻ – Game Việt Hóa Cập Nhật Mới Nhất