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How to Open PS2 Game Files on a Computer

Do you have a broken PS2 or wish there was a way to play your favorite Playstation 2 games on your PC? It's a bit complicated to set up, but there are ways to play your PS2 games on a computer. By simply inserting your Playstation 2 DVDs into your computer using special software called an emulator, you can make your PC think like a PS2 and enjoy your favorite games. Scratched or broken DVD? No problem: Here's a way you can play the games you own the rights to.

Things You'll Need

Windows operating system
Playstation 2 emulator
PS2-compatible PC gamepad
Playstation 2 game DVDs
MagicISO Maker or Daemon Tools software

Instructions

- 1
  Download a Playstation 2 emulator. These pieces of software contain all the directions for your PC to emulate the functions of a PS2. When checking the Internet for these completely legal pieces of software, beware of the sites you visit, as some may contain spyware or other computer attacks. A safe place to download tested PS2 emulators, Zophar's Domain, is listed in the resource section.
- 2
  Choose a Playstation 2 emulator based on your system speed. If you have a top-of-the-line system, PCSX2 is a good emulator to choose. This emulator has great compatibility but requires a lot of processing power. Another option is neutrinoSX2, which requires less processing power but does not have as good compatibility.
- 3
  Open your PCSX2 emulator of choice and you will be prompted to insert a disc. If you have the original PS2 DVD, you can open the game just as you would on a Playstation 2. Because of the complicated dual analog stick controls on most PS2 games, you will definitely need a PC video game controller compatible with your PS2 emulator. Both PCSX2 and neutrinoSX2 should support your PC game controller if it has a dual analog setup. The buttons and functions can be mapped inside your emulator software.
- 4
  Download .iso files for Playstation 2 games for use on your PC only if you own the rights to the game. Iso files are disc images of a Playstation 2 game burned on a computer using a piece of software that can create virtual DVD drives on your computer. Two compatible pieces of software are MagicISO Maker and Daemon Tools. In PCSX2 and neutrinoSX2, you will find an option to play a game from an .iso file. These game images can be found through peer-to-peer file networks, but keep in mind that it is against the law to download and play PS2 games you don't own the rights to.

PlayStation 2