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PCSX2-QT is a Sony Playstation 2 emulator.

Website: https://pcsx2.net/

PCSX2-QT Releases: https://pcsx2.net/downloads/#nightly-anchor

Github: https://github.com/PCSX2

Compatibility List: https://forums.pcsx2.net/Forum-Public-compatibility-list

PCSX2 Wiki: https://wiki.pcsx2.net/Main_Page

PCSX2-QT Table of Contents

  1. Getting Started with PCSX2
  2. Common Issues
  3. PCSX2 Tips and Tricks

Getting Started with PCSX2

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PCSX2 is a fairly straight-forward emulator to set up. Place your ROMs in Emulation/roms/ps2. Place your BIOS directly in Emulation/bios. Read the Configuration section to learn more about PCSX2 and its folder locations.

To launch your ROMs in game mode, use Steam ROM Manager and use one of the following parsers to play your PS2 ROMs:

  • EmulationStation-DE
  • Sony PlayStation 2 - PCSX2
  • Emulators

PCSX2 Configuration

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  • Type of Emulator: AppImage
  • Executable Location: /home/deck/Applications/pcsx2-Qt.AppImage
  • Config Location: /home/deck/.config/PCSX2
    • Contains the following folders:
      • cheats
      • gamesettings
      • inis
      • inputprofiles
      • logs
      • Note: If the cheats_ni and cheats_ws folder are here, do not use these folders. PCSX2 will not recognize any files placed in these folders
  • Storage Location: Emulation/storage/PCSX2
    • Contains the following folders:
      • cache
      • covers
      • snaps
      • textures
  • ROM Location: Emulation/roms/ps2/
  • BIOS Location: Emulation/bios/
  • Saves: Emulation/saves/pcsx2/saves
  • Save States Emulation/saves/pcsx2/states

Note: ~/.config is an invisible folder by default. In Dolphin (file manager), click the hamburger menu in the top right, click Show Hidden Files to see these folders.

Important Info: Prior to version 0.17.6 of EmuDeck, we used the Flatpak version of PCSX2. This was installed from the discover store. We have since moved away from this release for performance reasons, and usability reasons (menus not opening).

Works With

  • Steam ROM Manager
  • EmulationStation-DE

PCSX2 Folder Locations

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These file locations apply regardless of where you chose to install EmuDeck (to your internal SSD, to your SD Card, or elsewhere). Some emulator configuration files will be located on the internal SSD as listed below.

$HOME refers to your home folder. If you are on a Steam Deck, this folder will be named /home/deck (you will likely not see deck in the file path when navigating using the file manager).

Paths beginning with Emulation/.. correspond to your EmuDeck install location. If you installed on an SD Card, your path may be /run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/roms/... If you installed on your internal SSD, your path may be /home/deck/Emulation/roms/..

Note: Folders with a . (.var, .local, .config, etc.) at the beginning are hidden by default. In Dolphin (file manager), click the hamburger menu in the top right, click Show Hidden Files to see these folders.

$HOME/.config/PCSX2

PCSX2
├── cheats
├── gamesettings
├── inis
│   └── PCSX2.ini
├── inputprofiles
├── logs
├── memcards
├── patches
├── sstates
└── videos

Emulation/storage/pcsx2

pcsx2/
├── cache
├── covers
├── snaps
└── textures

How to Update PCSX2

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How to Update PCSX2

  • Through the Update your Emulators & Tools section on the Manage Emulators page in the EmuDeck application
  • Manual file replacement of pcsx2-Qt.AppImage

How to Launch PCSX2 in Desktop Mode

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How to Launch PCSX2 in Desktop Mode

  • Launch PCSX2-QT AppImage from the Applications Launcher (Steam Deck icon in the bottom left of the taskbar)
  • Launch the script from Emulation/tools/launchers, pcsx2-Qt.sh
  • Launch the AppImage in /home/deck/Applications/pcsx2-Qt.AppImage
  • Launch the emulator from Steam after adding it via the Emulators parser in Steam ROM Manager

PCSX2 File Formats

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  • .iso
  • .bin
  • .chd

PCSX2 Hotkeys

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Hotkey PCSX2-QT
Menu Start + L3
Full Screen Select + R3
Exit Select + Start
Pause/Unpause Emulation Select + A
Fast Forward Select + R2
Slow Motion Select + L2
Load State Select + L1
Save State Select + R1
Next Save Slot Start + R1
Previous Save Slot Start + L1
Increase Upscale Multiplier Start + DPad Up
Decrease Upscale Multiplier Start + DPad Down
Cycle Aspect Ratio Start + DPad Right
Toggle Software Rendering Start + DPad Left

Note:

Common Issues

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Controller isn't working?

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Try turning off multitap. Certain games may not handle it.

  1. Open PCSX2-QT
  2. Open the Controllers settings menu
  3. Disable Multitap

Black screen immediately or just after the game boots?

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This indicates a bad dump. Please validate and redump your game files.

How to validate your ROMs

After starting a game it goes back to Steam or EmulationStation-DE?

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This usually means you haven't placed your bios in the right place.

Where to place your BIOS: Configuration

Why do some of my multi-disc games not show up in Steam ROM Manager?

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Primarily with the Playstation 2 parser, turning on Remove (...) and [...] brackets will trim the ROM name and cause Steam ROM Manager to deem multiple discs of the same game as the same file. When you generate an app list, only one of your discs will show up.

To fix this, do one of the following solutions: * Remove the () in the file name * Open the respective folder with the ROMs, and rename each disc to remove the () * Example: * Original File Name: Xenosaga: Episode 2 (Disc 1) and Xenosaga: Episode 2 (Disc 2) * Updated File Name: Xenosaga: Episode 2 Disc 1 and Xenosaga: Episode 2 Disc 2 * Turn off Remove (...) and [...] brackets in the respective parser * Visual Reference (Using Playstation 2 as an example): * Note: With this setting off, Steam ROM Manager will include any content in the parantheses of the file name when parsing ROMs. This means that if you include region names or any other information in parantheses, your ROM will include this information in a generated app list

PCSX2 Tips and Tricks

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How to Verify ROMs

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If you have a ROM that is not launching, you can verify your ROM directly in PCSX2. Verifying your ROM confirms whether you have a good dump or a bad dump. If you have a bad dump, you will need to re-dump your PlayStation 2 ROM, following PCSX2's guide. For the dumping guide, see https://pcsx2.net/docs/usage/setup/#dumping-ps2-discs-via-imgburn.

If you have a good dump, your issue lies elsewhere. Make sure you have PlayStation 2 BIOS directly in the Emulation/bios folder and make sure PCSX2 is up to date. If neither of these resolve your issue, make sure to either check Google or retrieve a PCSX2 log so you can share it with the PCSX2 team.

How to Verify ROMs

Note: Make sure PCSX2 is up to date first. Verifying ROMs directly in PCSX2 is a fairly new feature.

  1. Open PCSX2
  2. If you are in Big Picture mode:
    • Press the square icon in the top right
    • Click View at the top
    • Click Game List
  3. Right click a game
  4. Click Properties
  5. On the Summary tab, click Verify on the right of the screen and wait a few moments
  6. After a few moments, you will see either a green checkmark or an x in addition to a message indicating if your ROM was verified
    • PCSX2: How to Verify ROMS

How to Optimize Performance (Power Tools)

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Visit Power Tools to learn how to optimize performance using Power Tools.

How to Optimize Storage (Compression Tool)

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To optimize storage, you can use the EmuDeck Compressor within EmuDeck.

The EmuDeck Compressor will compress your Playstation 2 ROMs from ISO or BIN/CUE to CHD. If your ROM is a BIN/CUE, the Compression Tool will only compress it if you have both the BIN and the CUE files for a ROM. If the ROM is in a zip file or is missing a paired BIN or CUE file, the Compression Tool will not detect the ROM.

After running the EmuDeck Compression Tool, re-run Steam ROM Manager to update your ROM shortcuts to the newly compressed ROM.

Visual Reference:

How to Configure Multiplayer

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Multiplayer for PCSX2 is configured out of the box, no additional configuration is needed.

You may need to re-arrange the controller order in Game Mode for your controllers to function as expected. See How to Re-Arrange the Controller Order for more information.

How to Manage Multiple Discs

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PCSX2 does not support M3U files.

You can manage multiple discs two ways:

Method 1: Hotkeys

  1. While in game, when you are ready to switch discs, press Start + L3 at the same time
  2. Select Change Disc and select your next disc

Method 2: Separate Game Entries

  1. When you are ready to switch discs, save and exit out of your game
  2. Open the next disc entry, either as a separate shortcut through Steam ROM Manager or a separate entry through EmulationStation-DE

How to Switch to Folder Memory Cards

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By default PCSX2 stores each memory card as a single file. This doesn't have any compatibility problems, but means that once you hit the 8MB limit you'll have to start manually swapping cards. You can get around this by converting to folders for your memory cards:

  1. Open PCSX2
  2. Settings menu > Memory cards
  3. Eject the memory cards you wish to convert, by clicking the appropriate eject icons near the top of the window
  4. Right click each card to convert, and select "Convert"
  5. Ensure the conversion type dropdown is set to "Folder" and click OK
    1. This process will create a new folder that is a copy of the original memory card file. The file will be left intact as a backup.
  6. Right click the newly converted memory card folder, and select Use for slot 1/Use for slot 2 as appropriate
  7. At the bottom of the window, ensure "Automatically manage saves based on running game" is checked

PCSX2 will now give each game it's own separate memory card automatically.

How to use Cheats

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Important

Individual Widescreen and "No Interlace" cheats are no longer supported. These are now officially bundled with PCSX2 and can be enabled in the per-game settings menu. For a tutorial on how to use these in PCSX2, read How to use Widescreen or No Interlace Cheats.

For more detail, read https://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-Sticky-Important-Patching-Notes-1-7-4546-Pnach-2-0

Note: This change means that the cheats_ni and cheats_ws are no longer used by PCSX2. Do not use these folders. PCSX2 will not recognize any files placed in these folders.

Cheat Resources

This list is not comprehensive

You can find more information about PCSX2 cheats here: https://wiki.pcsx2.net/Game_cheats.

Tutorial

Information on Cheats

Cheat files have a .pnach file extension. Sometimes websites will provide the raw content of a cheats file. You can copy and paste these contents into a text file, and save the file as CRC-descriptivename.pnach.

The website will usually provide the crc as an 8 character long alphanumerical string. Replace the CRC with the alphanumerical string and replace the descriptive name with the function of the cheat.

For example, a Controllable Party Members cheat for Persona 3 FES could be named: 94A82AAA-Controllable Party Members.pnach

Preparing the Cheat File

This section goes over identifying and creating headers for your cheats. Creating headers is not necessary to do but allows for easier cheat management in PCSX2. Headers allow you to toggle cheats on a per-cheat basis and allow you to identify your various cheats directly in PCSX2's GUI.

If you would simply like to add the cheat to PCSX2 without adding headers, skip to How to Use the Cheat File.

  1. Download the cheat file
  2. Open it in a text editor of your choice

  3. Check to see if the cheat file has headers at the top of each cheat bundled in the file.

    • The header is typically the name of the cheat in [] with an optional description or author
      • For example: 
        [Controllable Party Members]
author=TGE
description=This cheat allows you to control your party members in Persona 3 FES

  4. If the cheat file does not have headers, you can manually add them

    • The header is not required but allows you to toggle cheats on a per cheat basis in PCSX2
    • Note: If a cheat file has multiple sections for the same cheat, you can choose to add one header at the top of the file. This header will treat the cheat file as one cheat in PCSX2
    • You can now split cheats out into multiple files
      • Use the format: CRC-descriptivename.pnach
    • To add headers, use the following format, note that the author and description fields are optional:
      [NAMEOFCHEAT]
author=NAMEOFAUTHOR
description=DESCRIPTIONOFCHEAT

For an example of a full cheat file with a header: https://gist.githubusercontent.com/rawdatafeel/4ac815f27ace770a84fe1ad7937355c7/raw/ddcacfaf9a0ebf930d27f95c86507cd89e2db704/94A82AAA-Controllable%2520Party%2520Members.pnach

How to Use the Cheat File

  1. Place your cheat file, with a .pnach file extension in /home/deck/.config/PCSX2/cheats
    • ~/.config is an invisible folder by default. In Dolphin (file manager), click the hamburger menu in the top right, click Show Hidden Files to see these folders
  2. Open PCSX2-QT
  3. Click the fullscreen button in the top right
  4. Right click a game, click Properties

If you are using the Big Picture GUI:

  1. Click the frowny face
  2. Toggle the Enable Cheats button
  3. Toggle the cheats you would like to use
  4. Repeat as needed

If you are using the Desktop GUI:

  1. Click Cheats on the left
  2. Check Enable Cheats at the top
  3. Toggle the cheats you would like to use
  4. Repeat as needed

How to use Widescreen or No Interlace Cheats

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Important

Individual Widescreen and "No Interlace" cheats are no longer supported. These are now officially bundled with PCSX2 and can be enabled in the per-game settings menu. This section will go over how to apply the included cheats.

For more detail, read https://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-Sticky-Important-Patching-Notes-1-7-4546-Pnach-2-0

Tutorial

  1. In Desktop Mode, open PCSX2
  2. Click the fullscreen button in the top right
  3. Click View at the top, click Game List
  4. Right click a game, click Properties
  5. Click Patches on the left, and check the Enabled box for the respective cheats you would like to enable

How to Set Game Settings On a Per-Game Basis

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  1. In either Desktop or Game Mode, open PCSX2
  2. (Optional) Exit out of PCSX2's big picture mode by clicking the square box in the top right
  3. Right click a game
    • In Game Mode, hold Steam and click L2 to right click
  4. Click Properties
  5. Select your settings, any settings changed in this menu will only be applied for this specific game

How to Install Custom Textures

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Texture Pack Sources

This list is not exhaustive

How to Use Custom Textures Packs

  1. Download a texture pack
  2. Place it here:Emulation/storage/pcsx2/textures/GAMEID/replacements
    • The GAMEID will be unique to your game
    • Typically a texture pack download will come in this format: GAMEID/replacements
    • If the texture pack does not come in the standard format, you can locate the GAMEID by doing the following:
      • Open PCSX2
      • Right click the game
      • Click Properties
      • The GAMEID will be in the Serial box
  3. Open PCSX2
  4. Right click the game
  5. Click Game Properties
  6. Click Graphic Settings
  7. Scroll down to Texture Replacements and toggle Load Textures
    • Optionally, toggle Asynchronous Texture Loading
  8. Your game will now be using the custom texture pack

How to Mod Persona 3 FES

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Prerequisites

On Windows (Non-Steam Deck PC)

  1. Download Aemulus Mod Manager: https://github.com/TekkaGB/AemulusModManager/releases/tag/6.4.0
  2. Build a mod loadout: https://persona-3-fes-modding-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/installingmods.html
    • This guide will not go into detail on how to do this
  3. Your mod loadout will look similar to the below image:
  4. Transfer this folder to your Steam Deck

On the Steam Deck

  1. In Emulation/roms/ps2, create a P3FES folder
    • This is a recommendation, you may either use a different folder name or place the files directly into Emulation/roms/ps2
  2. Place your Persona 3 FES ISO in the P3FES folder
  3. Right click your Persona 3 FES ISO and click Open with Ark
  4. Extract these files to Emulation/roms/ps2/P3FES
  5. Delete all of the extracted files except SLUS_216.21
  6. Rename SLUS_216.21 to Shin Megami Tensei - Persona 3 FES - Modded.ELF
    • The important part here is the file extension. You may rename the file to whatever you would like, but for the sake of differentiating the ELF and the base game in Steam ROM Manager, this section adds a - Modded to the end of the file name

Setting up the Mod Folders on the Steam Deck

  1. Move your mod folders to the extracted Persona 3 FES Extracted ISO Folder, Emulation/roms/ps2/P3FES

Setting up PCSX2

  1. In Desktop Mode, Open PCSX2
  2. Right click SLUS_216.21 in the game list, click properties
  3. Enable Cheats and Host Filesystem
  4. On the Disc Path field, select your Persona 3 FES ISO

Setting up Cheats

  1. Download the attached cheat file by right clicking anywhere on the page and clicking Save Page As
  2. Name the downloaded file 94A82AAA-hostFS.pnach
  3. Place the cheat file in /home/deck/.config/PCSX2/cheats/
    • ~/.config is an invisible folder by default. In Dolphin (file manager), click the hamburger menu in the top right, click Show Hidden Files to see these folders
  4. Right click Shin Megami Tensei - Persona 3 FES - Modded in the game list, click Properties
  5. Click the Cheats tab and enable Cheats
  6. Enable the following cheat: hostFS Patch
    • If you are in the Big Picture GUI, the cheats icon is a frowny face

Setting up Steam ROM Manager

If you would like to launch Persona 3 FES directly in Game Mode, follow the below steps. You may also choose to open PCSX2 in Game Mode and open the Shin Megami Tensei - Persona 3 FES - Modded.ELF from the PCSX2 GUI instead.

  1. In Desktop Mode, open Steam ROM Manager
  2. Select the PCSX2 parser on the left and add |.ELF to the end of the User's glob box. Click Save in the bottom left
    • You may need to change themes to Deck or Classic first in the Settings tab
  3. Turn on the PCSX2 parser and parse your games
  4. You will see a large amount of seemingly junk entries from your mod folder, this is expected behavior. You can identify what each entry is by hovering over the text in the top left
  5. Click the Exclude button at the bottom
  6. Select all of the entries generated from your mod folder as well as the Persona 3 FES entry and click Save in the top right
    • Do not exclude Shin Megami Tensei - Persona 3 FES - Modded.ELF
  7. If Shin Megami Tensei - Persona 3 FES - Modded.ELF does not match properly, read Steps 8-10. If it matches properly, skip to Step 11
  8. On the Shin Megami Tensei - Persona 3 FES - Modded.ELF entry, click the magnifying glass in the bottom left
  9. Search for Persona 3 FES in the search box, select it, and click Save and close
  10. Click Save to Steam
  11. You can now launch a modded version of Persona 3 FES directly in Game Mode

How to Roll Back PCSX2 to an Older Version

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Preface

Your ROMs launch using a script created by EmuDeck, pcsx2-Qt.sh in Emulation/tools/launchers.

The script launches the corresponding emulator in /home/deck/Applications and specifically looks for two traits:

  • The most recently downloaded version of the emulator in /home/deck/Applications, based on the file/release date.
  • The emulator name at the beginning of the file. Anything after the emulator name is ignored.
    • For example, if the latest version of the emulator is 1351 and you would like to downgrade to 1349. When you download version 1349, you could rename it to EMULATORNAME-1349.AppImage, and EmuDeck's script will ignore the -1349 in the file name, allowing you to record which versions of the emulator you are using through the file name.

How to Roll Back PCSX2

  1. Download the version of the emulator you would like to use from PCSX2's GitHub: https://pcsx2.net/downloads/#nightly-anchor
  2. Move the downloaded emulator from Step 1 to /home/deck/Applications
  3. (Optional) Rename or delete the original emulator file
  4. Right click the newly downloaded emulator, click Properties, click Permissions, check Is executable
  5. Your games will now launch using the version of the emulator you downloaded