PlayStation 2 Homebrew & Softmod

PS2 homebrew setup with FreeMcBoot and OpenTuna, native ELF apps, NES and Sega emulators, SuperTux, Quake ports and OPL themes with exact downloads and storage requirements.

PlayStation 2 Homebrew & Softmod

Start with your PS2 model

Memory-card boot tools, file managers, loaders and save utilities for real PlayStation 2 hardware.

  1. Check the model and boot methodRead the SCPH model on the console. On a system that already launches homebrew, use wLaunchELF or PS2Ident to check the boot ROM. Late SCPH-900xx systems with ROM 2.30 or newer and PS2 TV cannot autoboot FreeMcBoot.
  2. Prepare a homebrew entry pointUse an already prepared, compatible memory card or an existing ELF launcher to start the installer. Copying an installer file onto an ordinary USB drive does not itself make an unmodified PS2 boot homebrew.
  3. Back up the memory cardKeep a separate copy of your saves and existing setup before installing. OpenTuna’s installer removes APPS, FORTUNA and OPENTUNA folders from the selected card.
  4. Choose FMCB or OpenTunaUse FreeMcBoot for a compatible automatic memory-card boot menu. For a supported later Slim or another OpenTuna-compatible model, follow the OpenTuna installer documentation and its browser trigger.
  5. Add your appsExtract downloaded archives on your computer and transfer their ELF files and required data folders. Launch apps through your prepared menu or wLaunchELF; keep each app’s accompanying files together.

Memory-card softmods & boot tools

Official OpenTuna memory-card installer artwork

OpenTuna installer

Memory cardBrowser exploitFat & SlimOpenTuna

Memory-card browser exploit for supported Fat and Slim PS2 systems, including later Slims that cannot autoboot FMCB. The project lists SCPH-18000 through SCPH-90010 and PS2 TV. Back up the card: installation deletes existing APPS, FORTUNA and OPENTUNA folders.

PS2 apps & homebrew tools

Choose the console build and read its requirements before copying files to your storage.

Open PS2 Loader logo

Open PS2 Loader

OPLApp launcherUSBSMBHDDVMC

Game and ELF application loader with USB, network and internal-HDD options, virtual memory cards and controller features. Storage support depends on your hardware and build; this download is the stable 1.1.0 release.

Apollo Save Tool PS2 main menu screenshot

Apollo Save Tool · PS2

Save managerPS2 & PS1Memory cardVMCImport & export

Manage PS2 and PS1 saves, import or export supported save formats, work with virtual memory cards and apply supported save patches. Keep original saves before editing or restoring them.

Official blue circuit-board background used by PS2Ident

PS2Ident

Hardware infoBoot ROMDiagnosticsRetail PS2

Inspect console identifiers, ROM versions and hardware information. The retail-console build also supports creating dumps from your own system for research; the separate PS2TOOL and desktop database builds are different downloads.

Expand your PS2 library

14 additional resources: six tools, three emulators, three games and two OPL themes.

14 resources

More PS2 apps & tools

Native console builds, with the exact package and hardware requirements.

Memory Card Annihilator original illustrative artwork

Tools · 2.2.0

Memory Card Annihilator

Create or restore full memory-card images and format cards on the PS2. The package separates normal retail cards from arcade, developer and prototype cards.

  • Card images
  • Backup
  • Retail PS2
  • exFAT
Requires
A homebrew ELF launcher, a PS2 controller and storage for card images. Select mca_new for normal retail cards with the modern USB drivers; it supports exFAT and SCPH-10000/15000.
Setup & verified files

Keep the package as a backup, then copy the mca_new folder and its language files to USB. Launch its ELF. Dump the original card first. Restore, format and unformat operations change the selected card, so check its slot and keep a second backup.

USB:/APPS/MCA/ (copy contents of mca_new, including language files)
MemoryCardAnihilator_v2.2.0.zip6.44 MB · ZIPSHA-256 86c2302454fbedd6168f02fc6992e4b93a8cf9f375122b01f12a0bc611558fb0Original release file
mca-new-retail-v2.2.0.elf564.3 KB · PS2 ELF · extracted ready ELFSHA-256 def84b075f9352c2c66aa49de51d7257d878306d9bc838638d35eb8d9fd0fc72

Extracted unchanged from MemoryCardAnihilator_v2.2.0.zip: mca_new/mca-packed.elf. The original package is also preserved.

Original container
Package layout
  • mca_legacy/lang_de.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_en.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_es.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_fr.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_it.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_jp.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_pl.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_pt.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_pt_alt.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_ru.lng
  • mca_legacy/lang_tr.lng
  • mca_legacy/mca-packed.elf
  • mca_legacy/mca.elf
  • mca_new/lang_de.lng
  • mca_new/lang_en.lng
  • mca_new/lang_es.lng
  • mca_new/lang_fr.lng
  • mca_new/lang_it.lng
  • mca_new/lang_jp.lng
  • mca_new/lang_pl.lng
  • mca_new/lang_pt.lng
  • mca_new/lang_pt_alt.lng
  • mca_new/lang_ru.lng
  • mca_new/lang_tr.lng
  • mca_new/mca-packed.elf
  • mca_new/mca.elf
  • mca_Arcade/lang_de.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_en.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_es.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_fr.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_it.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_jp.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_pl.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_pt.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_pt_alt.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_ru.lng
  • mca_Arcade/lang_tr.lng
  • mca_Arcade/mca-packed_ARCADE.elf
  • mca_Arcade/mca_ARCADE.elf
  • mca_Prototype/lang_de.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_en.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_es.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_fr.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_it.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_jp.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_pl.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_pt.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_pt_alt.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_ru.lng
  • mca_Prototype/lang_tr.lng
  • mca_Prototype/mca-packed_PROTOTYPE.elf
  • mca_Prototype/mca_PROTOTYPE.elf
  • mca_Developer/lang_de.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_en.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_es.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_fr.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_it.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_jp.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_pl.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_pt.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_pt_alt.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_ru.lng
  • mca_Developer/lang_tr.lng
  • mca_Developer/mca-packed_DEVELOPER.elf
  • mca_Developer/mca_DEVELOPER.elf
  • mca-new-retail-v2.2.0.elf
HDDChecker original illustrative artwork

Tools · 0.964 · build c7679407

HDDChecker

Inspect internal HDD identity and S.M.A.R.T. status, scan surfaces and check APA/PFS structures. This is an internal-drive diagnostic tool.

  • Internal HDD
  • S.M.A.R.T.
  • APA / PFS
  • Diagnostics
Requires
An ATA-compatible internal PS2 HDD connection. Upstream specifies ATA-4, UDMA 4, S.M.A.R.T. and drives up to 2 TB; USB storage is not the target disk.
Setup & verified files

Extract the complete release and launch its ELF from your homebrew launcher. Begin with drive information. Back up saves and files before repairs: remapping writes to bad sectors, and zero-fill erases the disk. Keep generated scan logs with your backup.

Keep HDDChecker ELF and accompanying resources together
HDDChecker-c7679407.zip828.3 KB · ZIPSHA-256 7773ecbb9a443e7ad00b33ec2963ebecda8d191cd37f31457c7f277ad61fc724Original release file
HDDChecker-c7679407.elf1.28 MB · PS2 ELF · extracted ready ELFSHA-256 001033b8729c4be38e19fadcc3ed154caadc4e8ef4a84a490c66f57ce56c4655

Extracted unchanged from HDDChecker-c7679407.zip: HDDChecker.elf. The original package is also preserved.

Original container
Package layout
  • HDDChecker.elf
  • HDDChecker-c7679407.elf
PS2 HDD Tester original illustrative artwork

Tools · 1.1

PS2 HDD Tester

Compare sequential and random internal-HDD read performance, inspect sector size and see supported UDMA modes. The tests measure different transfer paths through the IOP and EE.

  • Read benchmarks
  • HDD
  • UDMA
  • ELF
Requires
PS2 with an internal HDD interface, a drive and an ELF launcher. These benchmarks do not measure USB or SMB and are not a promise of game loading speed.
Setup & verified files

Copy the ELF to your app folder and launch it with wLaunchELF or your boot menu. Select the read benchmark you need; compare like-for-like block sizes and transfer paths. Record the drive and adapter used.

USB:/APPS/HDDTEST/hddtester_compressed_v1.1.elf
hddtester_compressed_v1.1.elf72.1 KB · PS2 ELFSHA-256 fae9a01c7339a5410cfe9fe2402268d3b767a92ac400e2b0753572ff86f20367Original release file
Package layout
  • hddtester_compressed_v1.1.elf
PS2 Pad Tester original illustrative artwork

Tools · tests/pad release

PS2 Pad Tester

Test controller buttons and analog input with the PS2 build of PCSX2’s pad test utility. This is a console ELF, separate from the desktop emulator.

  • Controller
  • Analog sticks
  • Input test
  • Native ELF
Requires
A PS2 that can launch homebrew and the controller you want to test. Start with a wired PS2 pad; third-party adapter behavior is not verified here.
Setup & verified files

Copy padtest_ps2.elf into an app folder and launch it through wLaunchELF. Work through the buttons and stick range while watching the displayed input. No game data or external BIOS file is needed.

USB:/APPS/PADTEST/padtest_ps2.elf
padtest_ps2.elf194.4 KB · PS2 ELFSHA-256 0d0733034a3d0ad8b59f7daaea139c631caf466e3ade77405af495e1c441a41bOriginal release file
Package layout
  • padtest_ps2.elf
OPL 1.2 development option original illustrative artwork

Tools · 1.2.0 Beta 2271 · b3a2199

OPL 1.2 development option

A separately labelled development build for users who want the OPL 1.2 line, including the themes below. The existing stable 1.1.0 entry stays available above.

  • Optional beta
  • OPL 1.2
  • Themes
  • Separate build
Requires
A PS2 ELF launcher. This is a beta, not a replacement recommendation for a working pinned setup. Check per-game compatibility and the exact build’s storage behavior.
Setup & verified files

Keep your existing stable OPL ELF and configuration backup. Put this ELF in its own folder and add a distinct boot-menu shortcut. Test it separately before changing your regular setup. Theme authors target OPL 1.2+, but these themes have not been tested on a physical console here.

USB:/APPS/OPL-1.2-Beta-2271/OPNPS2LD.ELF
OPNPS2LD.ELF1.30 MB · PS2 ELFSHA-256 4b6d36eff917bbeb3d860fea7ca0b3dd38502c4f5b008803a1edf3f0edf12290Original release file
Package layout
  • OPNPS2LD.ELF

Emulators running on the PS2

These downloads run on a physical PS2. Add your own compatible ROMs, MIDlets or required BIOS files.

FCEUmm-PS2 original illustrative artwork

Emulators · 0.3.3 · USB ELF

FCEUmm-PS2

A native NES/Famicom emulator with a controller-friendly browser, save states, turbo buttons and multitap support. This is the standard USB-oriented ELF, not the separate CD/DVD build.

  • NES
  • Famicom
  • Save states
  • Multitap
Requires
An ELF launcher, PS2 pad and your own NES ROM dumps or compatible homebrew ROMs. Normal NES cartridges need no BIOS. Famicom Disk System software additionally needs your own compatible disk-system BIOS.
Setup & verified files

Copy the ELF and a separate ROM folder to FAT32 USB, launch it and choose a ROM in its browser. Configure a writable save path. Cross is A, Square is B and L1 opens the menu. ROMs and external BIOS files are not included. If upgrading from an old FCEUmm setup, back up the old FCEUltra.cnf and reset that configuration for this release’s controller mapping.

USB:/APPS/FCEU/fceu-packed.v0.3.3.elf + USB:/ROMS/NES/
fceu-packed.v0.3.3.elf603.1 KB · PS2 ELFSHA-256 a41a3c5dfc0b9283046b905a131a1044625acd67c48d9d1d18af65e12ec51f4aOriginal release file
Package layout
  • fceu-packed.v0.3.3.elf
PicoDrive · native PS2 original illustrative artwork

Emulators · 2.05 · 19d4108

PicoDrive · native PS2

The upstream PS2 build of PicoDrive for Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and related systems. Keep its skin and configuration files with the executable.

  • Genesis
  • Mega Drive
  • Mega CD
  • Standalone
Requires
A homebrew PS2 and your own supported game dumps. Cartridge games need no Mega CD BIOS; Mega CD requires a matching region BIOS dumped from your own hardware. See the included readme for supported BIOS filenames.
Setup & verified files

Extract the full PicoDrive folder to FAT32 USB and launch PicoDrive.elf. Select opens its menu. For CD games, keep BIN files with their CUE and load the CUE so track layout is preserved. BIOS files go beside the emulator as described in readme.txt. This standalone release does not use RetroArch BIOS filenames.

USB:/PicoDrive/{PicoDrive.elf,readme.txt,game_def.cfg,skin/}
PicoDrive_ps2_2.05-19d4108.zip1.00 MB · ZIPSHA-256 22f2abdf5a2f8a5f02c130c4722b7b08ddddd705a161c757c1e3917b0daf70e8Original release file
Package layout
  • PicoDrive/PicoDrive.elf
  • PicoDrive/game_def.cfg
PS2ME original illustrative artwork

Emulators · 1.4.0

PS2ME

Run compatible Java ME MIDlets through a native PS2 launcher and the phoneME virtual machine. It supplies the runtime; add your own JAR applications.

  • Java ME
  • J2ME
  • MIDP 2.0
  • FAT32 USB
Requires
A homebrew-capable PS2, FAT32 USB, PS2 controller, memory card for RecordStore saves and compatible CLDC 1.1 / MIDP 2.0 JARs. No phone BIOS is required; compatibility varies by MIDlet.
Setup & verified files

Extract the release, put its ELF in mass:/PS2ME/ and add your own MIDlets to mass:/PS2ME/games/. bgm.adpcm is optional menu audio. Launch the ELF; Cross launches the selected game, Circle goes back and Select opens per-game options.

mass:/PS2ME/{PS2ME-v1.4.0.elf,bgm.adpcm,games/*.jar}
PS2ME-v1.4.0.zip1.95 MB · ZIPSHA-256 973d62fa632d92cf275c677bdbfd8c6ad0b9e6274a64e6d8a43c7dafc5bd0c54Original release file
PS2ME-v1.4.0.elf3.18 MB · PS2 ELF · extracted ready ELFSHA-256 53cacfc3360efeb8bcf9233289874ca402474076771c1528420aaa74d2f8e0c4

Extracted unchanged from PS2ME-v1.4.0.zip: PS2ME/PS2ME-v1.4.0.elf. The original package is also preserved.

Original container
Package layout
  • PS2ME/bgm.adpcm
  • PS2ME/PS2ME-v1.4.0.elf
  • PS2ME-v1.4.0.elf

Homebrew games & engine ports

SuperTux is complete. The Quake ports require game data from a separate copy.

SuperTux original illustrative artwork

Games · PS2 port 0.1.1a · USB bundle

SuperTux

An open-source platform game starring Tux. This USB release includes the game’s levels and assets, so it is a complete homebrew game rather than an engine-only port.

  • Complete game
  • Platformer
  • USB bundle
  • Open source
Requires
A PS2 homebrew launcher, FAT32 USB and a PS2 pad. Keep the supplied APPS tree; no commercial game files or external BIOS are needed.
Setup & verified files

Extract the USB ZIP to the root of your USB device, retaining both APPS/ and supertux.elf. Launch supertux.elf. Use Cross to jump and Square to run. The similarly named CD release has a different launch layout and is not this download.

mass:/supertux.elf + mass:/APPS/SUPERTUX/ (complete supplied tree)
supertux-ps2-usb.zip8.67 MB · ZIPSHA-256 822b041bbd85bced2ed99e494cd4184bfc5badf9e6be9344f5615de49d6fe70cOriginal release file
Package layout
  • supertux.elf
Quake · PS2 engine port original illustrative artwork

Games · 1.1.0

Quake · PS2 engine port

A native Quake engine port with controller support and USB/HDD loading. The release provides the engine and folder layout; game data is separate.

  • Engine port
  • Own PAK data
  • USB / HDD
  • Controller
Requires
Your own Quake data: id1/pak0.pak from a shareware or retail copy; retail content also uses id1/pak1.pak. PS2 controller and USB or supported internal HDD storage. No external BIOS file is needed.
Setup & verified files

Extract the release and keep the executable next to id1/. Add your PAK files without renaming them. Start the ELF from the same storage. Optional music goes in id1/music/ as documented WAV/ADP tracks; saves and settings use the memory card in slot 1 in this release.

Quake/{quake.elf,id1/pak0.pak,id1/pak1.pak (retail)}
q1ps2_release_1.1.0.zip619.8 KB · ZIPSHA-256 16e85c15b84a861a39b9b1ecf52f5401c91c654f325650b19849f3529f7fa29fOriginal release file
Package layout
  • q1ps2_release_1.1.0/id1/config.cfg
  • q1ps2_release_1.1.0/quake.elf
Quake II · PS2 engine port original illustrative artwork

Games · 3.22

Quake II · PS2 engine port

A native Quake II engine port for PS2, supplied as a release bundle without the commercial game data. The desktop host-tools archive is a separate project download.

  • Engine port
  • Own retail data
  • Native PS2
  • USB / HDD
Requires
Your own retail Quake II baseq2/pak0.pak, a PS2 pad and USB or supported internal HDD storage. This port’s documented layout and requirements differ from Quake I.
Setup & verified files

Extract the release, keeping quake2.elf next to baseq2/. Add your retail pak0.pak there. Optional video, music and player files remain in their documented subfolders under baseq2. Launch quake2.elf; do not substitute the separate Windows host tools for the console build.

Quake2/{quake2.elf,baseq2/pak0.pak}
q2ps2_release_3.22.zip770.5 KB · ZIPSHA-256 d9b3c6ded7c87edf212b6bd114f8f6dc36b8e9beda7147857bae543d44995b78Original release file
Package layout
  • q2ps2_release_3.22/quake2.elf
  • q2ps2_release_3.22/baseq2/config.cfg

OPL interface themes

Two real UI themes from PixeliGer, with official previews and complete release packages.

DeckyOS · OPL theme official theme preview

Themes · 1.0 · default

DeckyOS · OPL theme

A handheld-style OPL interface with game artwork, designed by PixeliGer. The default package includes the actual theme configuration and assets.

  • OPL 1.2+
  • 4:3 / 16:9
  • UI theme
  • THM
Requires
OPL 1.2+ according to the theme author, with 4:3 or 16:9 display support. It is not verified for the stable OPL 1.1.0 build kept above. Game cover ART is separate and optional.
Setup & verified files

Extract the complete thm_DeckyOS folder into THM/ on an enabled OPL device. Restart OPL, then choose Start > Display Settings > Theme. Retain conf_theme.cfg, images and fonts. The author advises against installing this theme on a memory card.

mass:/THM/thm_DeckyOS/conf_theme.cfg + all theme assets
thm_DeckyOS.zip406.8 KB · ZIPSHA-256 23d3a957ae88b4af66e9c893bdcc05cca10278c5d69da72fad52bf36b88a723eOriginal release file
Package layout
  • thm_DeckyOS/conf_theme.cfg
PadOS · OPL theme official theme preview

Themes · 1.0 · normal 4:3

PadOS · OPL theme

PixeliGer’s tablet-inspired OPL interface. This is the normal 4:3 theme package, with its own fonts, images and configuration.

  • OPL 1.2+
  • 4:3
  • UI theme
  • THM
Requires
OPL 1.2+ and Widescreen OFF for this normal package. The author provides a different WIDE build for widescreen; that is a separate variant. Not verified for pinned stable OPL 1.1.0.
Setup & verified files

Extract the whole thm_PadOS folder into THM/ on your enabled OPL device. Restart OPL, then select it in Start > Display Settings > Theme. Keep every supplied file. Do not put this theme on the memory card; game ART and optional CFG information are separate.

mass:/THM/thm_PadOS/conf_theme.cfg + all theme assets
thm_PadOS.zip809.8 KB · ZIPSHA-256 255d205cdd2348e530a38c8d419fcb2fec61f1b01e6796147ab0722ab8b630c4Original release file
Package layout
  • thm_PadOS/conf_theme.cfg

Storage & dependency checklist

  1. Start with a working ELF boot methodA downloaded ELF does not make an unmodified PS2 boot homebrew. Use the model-specific FMCB/OpenTuna guidance above, then launch apps through wLaunchELF or a configured menu. No region bypass is required by these homebrew downloads; the boot method still depends on your model and ROM.
  2. Use a conservative USB starting pointFAT32 USB is the starting layout for these instructions. PS2ME explicitly requires it. Memory Card Annihilator’s mca_new supports exFAT. Do not assume that an older app gains exFAT, SMB or MX4SIO support because OPL can use a device.
  3. Keep package folders and assetsExtract ZIP or TAR.GZ files on your computer before copying them. SuperTux needs its APPS tree at the USB root. PicoDrive needs its skin/config files. A direct ELF is only convenient where its optional or external dependencies are explained on its card.
  4. Separate USB, SMB and internal HDD supportOPL 1.1.0 offers USB, SMB and internal HDD routes; these are OPL features, not universal app services. Internal-HDD tools need a real internal drive interface. The Quake ports document their own USB/APA-PFS loading paths. SMB requires working Ethernet and share settings.
  5. Bring the right data and savesNES cartridge ROMs, Mega CD BIOS files, Java JARs and Quake PAKs are different requirements. They are not included in these runtime downloads. SuperTux includes its free game data. Keep an original save backup and a memory card available for apps that save there.
  6. Match the display and controllerUse a PS2 pad for the documented controls. Follow each app’s PAL/NTSC options; do not force an unsupported display mode. PadOS normal is 4:3 with Widescreen OFF. A theme changes OPL’s interface and does not patch game rendering.

Choose storage for your setup

USB & app folders artwork

USB & app folders

Use storage supported by the app you are launching. Extract archives first; an ELF launcher starts the executable, while some apps also need their data folders in the documented location.

Saves & virtual memory cards artwork

Saves & virtual memory cards

Back up original physical-card saves before importing or applying patches. Apollo supports physical memory cards and supported VMC images; follow its documented save-format rules.

Images & project credits

Tool, emulator and game illustrations are original SVG artwork made for this catalogue; they are not gameplay captures. Theme previews are the maintainers’ screenshots.

Download versions and hashes were checked on 2 November 2026. Follow the linked release and setup documentation for known issues. Existing project artwork and credits remain in the original resources above.