You no longer need to scour eBay for a reasonably-priced, well-maintained PS2 console to enjoy your childhood favorites or explore timeless classics for the first time. Thanks to the impressive capabilities of Apple Silicon Macs and the powerful PCSX2 emulator, PS2 emulation has become more accessible and efficient. This comprehensive guide shows how to set up PCSX2 on your M1, M2, or M3 Mac so that you can spend more time playing your favorite games and less time reading manuals.
Why the M1, M2, M3 Is Perfect for Emulating Games
Apple’s M1, M2, and M3 processors are true gaming powerhouses. Their CPUs deliver performance comparable to much larger laptops, and they boast more GPU power than a PlayStation 4.
This impressive processing capability not only allows you to play visually stunning native macOS games but also makes the emulation of older consoles a reality, even on thin and light computers like the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air.
But hardware is just one part of the equation, as there’s no PS2 emulation without PS2 emulators. Fortunately, Mac users can use PCSX2, arguably the best PS2 emulator available today, with ease.
PCSX2 Requirements
To run PCSX2 on your Mac, you’ll need to meet a few system requirements. First, ensure your Mac is running macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) or later.
The minimum requirements for PCSX2 include 8 GB of system memory, which all Apple Silicon Macs have. However, for optimal performance, the developers recommend using a Mac with 16 GB of system memory.
While you can control the emulator using a keyboard, it’s highly recommended to connect a gamepad for a more authentic and enjoyable gaming experience. The PS4 controller works great with PCSX2, but you can also use an Xbox gamepad or most other gamepads on the market and connect them via Bluetooth or USB.
How to Set Up PCSX2
To set up PCSX2 on your M1, M2, or M3 Mac, you’ll need a PS2 BIOS file and a ROM of the PS2 game you want to play. It’s always best to dump your own PS2 BIOS with a tool like biosdrain. Saving time by downloading PS2 BIOS files from sites like the Internet Archive could be illegal, depending on where you reside.
As for PS2 game ROMs, there are many comprehensive guides available to help you rip your own games, such as the one published on the Emulation General Wiki. It’s no secret that, just like BIOS files, PS2 ROMs can also be found online. However, downloading ROM files of games you don’t own is illegal in most countries.
Once you have everything you need, download the latest nightly release of PCSX2 for macOS from its official website.
After downloading the latest nightly release of PCSX2 for macOS, extract the downloaded archive, and move the PCSX2 application to your Applications folder. To launch PCSX2, either open it directly from the Applications folder, or use Spotlight. When asked if you want to open it, select Open.
Upon launching PCSX2 for the first time, a post-installation wizard will appear to guide you through the initial setup process. The wizard will help you choose a language and theme, select your BIOS image, set up game directories, and connect and map your controller. Click Finish to complete the initial setup.
Select and launch a game in the main PCSX2 window by double-clicking on it.
I decided to play Tom and Jerry in War of the Whiskers, a childhood favorite of mine. The game launched instantly on my 16 GB MacBook Air from 2020, and it ran at a steady 60 frames per second.
Additional PCSX2 Settings When Emulating
Running a game is only the first step. You’ll almost certainly want to explore the settings menu to adjust aspects of how the game runs.
For example, you may want to increase the game’s rendering resolution beyond the original settings and configure your attached gamepad. To reach the graphics options, go to Settings -> Graphics.
The only immediate change I’d recommend is changing the internal resolution to either 1080p or 1440p in the Rendering tab, which will dramatically improve the clarity of the game. Note that this does come with a performance hit that may be too heavy, depending on the specific game.
You can also change the aspect ratio in the Display tab. There are many PS2 games that support the modern 16:9 aspect ratio natively, and widescreen patches exist for some that don’t.
Different games may need different tweaks and settings to run correctly. It’s a good idea to check out the community compatibility list to see how well various games run and whether they need any specific tweaking.
Legal Considerations When Emulating
Depending on where you live, PS2 emulation may be legal, in a gray area, or against the law. It’s your responsibility to determine the legality in your region. In general, it’s legal to make backups of video games that you have paid for and use them with an emulator, but if you download games from the Internet without paying for them, it’s tantamount to piracy. Let your own moral compass be your guide.
PS2 emulation on M1, M2, and M3 Macs has never been easier, thanks to the powerful PCSX2 emulator. With a bit of patience, you can enjoy your favorite childhood games or explore new classics on your modern Apple Silicon Mac. And if PS2 games aren’t enough for you, check out our guide on PS1 emulation on Mac.
Image credit: DALL-E. Screenshots by David Morelo
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