Even though Sony has launched more upgraded versions of their epic PlayStation consoles like PlayStation 3, 4, 5 and etc, the craze of PlayStation 2 games never fades.
That’s the reason why many PlayStation 3 owners still finding out ways to play their desired PlayStation 2 games on their current PS3 consoles. But the only reason they can’t play PS2 games on the PS3 is that the PlayStation 3 lacks backward compatibility across several models.
There are numerous hacks accessible on the internet, but most of them need the use of extra hardware such as the Cobra-USB Dongle and others.
To make you fulfill your wish to play PS2 games on PS3, we’ve devised two methods and listed step-by-step guides to use them without any hassle. Hi
Ways To Play PS2 Games on PS3?
There are two ways to play PlayStation 2 games on the PlayStation 3.
Continue reading this tutorial to learn more about these strategies and how they function.
Method 1:
The first approach necessitates the use of a PS3 that is backward compatible. The first and most important step is to determine whether the PS3 Console you are using is a ‘fat’ PS3.
For the uninitiated, there are only a few ‘fat’ PS3s that are backward compatible. The only reason we are asking you to check whether your console is fat or not is that thin and extremely slim models are not backward compatible.
If you don’t have a PS3 with backward compatibility, you’ll have to buy and download games from PlayStation to play PS2 games.
You may jailbreak a PS3 in order to play PS2 games. Notably, doing so may result in your account being banned from the PlayStation Store.
The presence of four USB ports on the PS3 Console is the simplest method to determine if it is ‘fat’ or not.
The next step is to inspect the sticker on the back of the PlayStation 3. The final digits of the sticker indicate whether you are using full hardware backward compatibility or restricted software emulation:
Take a look at the PS3 sticker codes and their meanings:
- CECHAxx (60 GB) and CECHBxx (20 GB) – it has full hardware backward compatibility.
- CECHCxx (60 GB) and CECHExx (80 GB) – it has limited hardware emulation. So, it suggests that you can encounter issues with some PS2 discs.
- CECHGxx and above – it is not backward compatible.
Now it’s time to see if the PS2 game you wish to play on the PS3 is compatible. We frequently insert the PS2 disc into a compatible PS3 and begin playing the game immediately. Notably, certain PS2 games are incompatible with one another.
This issue occurs while using a CECHCxx (60 GB) or CECHExx (80 GB) device.
You must now plug your PS2 disc into your PS3 console. If the game you insert is compatible with your PS3 model, you can play it just like any other PS3 game.
Now, to activate the controller, press the PlayStation button. When the game starts, you’ll be asked to insert a controller. Assign the controller to Slot 1 once it has been activated. This will recognize your DualShock 3 or SixAxis controller.
You should avoid using any third-party controllers because they will prevent you from playing PS2 games smoothly.
You must construct a PS2 virtual memory card in order to save your PS2 games. If you don’t know how to make it, just follow these steps:
Step 1: Press the PS button to launch the XMB.
Step 2: Open the game menu and select “Memory Card Utility (PS/PS2).”
Step 3: Select ‘New Internal Memory Card’, followed by ‘Internal Memory Card (PS2)’.
Step 4: Assign the Memory Card to Slot 1, which will allow the game to access the new Memory Card.
The final step requires you to change a few settings on your backward-compatible PS3. This will increase the overall quality of PS2 games.
- In the XMB, go to the Settings menu and select “Game Settings.”
- Choose your Upscaler Options. When you select ‘Off,’ the game will be displayed in its original resolution.
- When ‘Normal’ is selected, the resolution will be increased to match your screen size.
- Set the resolution to ‘Full’ if you truly want it to suit your screen.
- Choose “Off” if the game does not look nice when upscaled.
- PS2 games can now be played on the PS3 system.
Method 2:
If you don’t like the previous way or it didn’t work for you, you can try this one to play PS2 games on your PS3. To do so, simply launch the PlayStation Store.
Notably, all PlayStation Store PS2 Classics may be played on the PS3 machine.
You must navigate to the ‘Games’ section after browsing the PlayStation Store.
There are other categories to choose from, but you must select “Classics.”
You must now filter the results by selecting “PS2 Classics”. Notably, PS One Classics can also be played on the PS3.
Add the game you wish to buy to your shopping basket. Notably, the game choices may vary based on your location.
Purchase the game you placed in your shopping cart. You can begin playing the game on PS3 once you have successfully downloaded the purchased PS2 games.
In the XMB’s game section, the just downloaded PS2 Classics game will be listed with your other installed games. To store your PS2 Classics games, you must first build a virtual Memory Card. If you are unsure how to proceed, we have provided a technique above.
Final Take
These are two simple methods for playing PS2 games on the PS3 device. If you wish to learn more methods, save this page because we will be adding more methods shortly.
