Best PS2 Emulator
PCSX2 is the best PS2 emulator on desktop. On Android, NetherSX2 leads, with PCSX2's own Android build catching up fast. Every one of them needs a PS2 BIOS, except Play!, which has one built in.
The right choice depends on your device, so this page gives the honest pick for each platform. It also shows which emulators need a BIOS, since that trips up most newcomers.
What makes a PS2 emulator good?
Accuracy, speed, active updates, and solid controller support.
The best options run games the way the console did, hold a steady frame rate, and get regular fixes. Free and open-source helps too, because it means no paywalls and a community keeping things current. That is why PCSX2 and NetherSX2 lead, and why abandoned or paywalled apps fall behind.
Best PS2 emulator for PC
PCSX2, without question. Nothing else comes close on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
PCSX2 is open-source, actively developed, and runs the vast majority of the PS2 library with high accuracy. It is the reference every other emulator is measured against. It needs a PS2 BIOS to run, which you add once. The PS2 BIOS for PCSX2 page covers that setup.
Best PS2 emulator for Android
NetherSX2 today, with PCSX2's Android build rising quickly.
AetherSX2 used to be the answer, but it is no longer updated, so NetherSX2, its maintained community fork, has taken over. PCSX2 also has its own official Android build now, and it is improving fast. ARMSX2 is a newer option worth watching. Avoid DamonPS2, which is old and widely criticized. All of these need the same PS2 BIOS, and the PS2 BIOS for Android page walks through it.
PS2 emulator for iPhone and iPad
Play! is the easiest, because it needs no BIOS. RetroArch and ARMSX2 also work, but they do need one.
On iPhone and iPad, Play! runs a slice of the library with nothing extra to add. For wider support, RetroArch or ARMSX2 need the same PS2 BIOS file as every other emulator. You can also stream PCSX2 from a PC. Ignore any app claiming to be "AetherSX2 for iOS," because no official version exists and those listings are scams.
PS2 emulator for Steam Deck
PCSX2, set up through EmuDeck. RetroArch is a solid second.
EmuDeck installs and configures PCSX2 on the Deck for you, and it uses the same BIOS as the desktop version. Drop the file in the EmuDeck BIOS folder and its checker confirms it. The install guide has the exact steps.
Can your device run PS2 games?
A modern PC handles PS2 emulation easily. A mid-range or newer phone runs most games well.
PS2 emulation asks more of a device than older systems, but the bar is not high anymore. Any recent PC runs it comfortably. On phones, a mid-range or newer chip plays a large part of the library, while the most demanding titles want a stronger device. PAL games run slower than their USA versions, so prefer the USA release when a game exists in both.
Which emulators need a BIOS?
Almost all of them. Play! is the only common exception.
| Emulator | Platform | BIOS needed? |
|---|---|---|
| PCSX2 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Yes |
| NetherSX2 | Android | Yes |
| AetherSX2 | Android (unmaintained) | Yes |
| ARMSX2 | Android, iOS | Yes |
| RetroArch (LRPS2) | PC and mobile | Yes |
| XBSX2 | Xbox | Yes |
| Play! | PC, Android, iOS | No, built in |
| DamonPS2 | Android (avoid) | Yes |
They all read the same PS2 BIOS file, so you dump or download it once and reuse it everywhere. If you do not have it yet, get it from the PS2 BIOS download hub, and which PS2 BIOS to use helps you pick the region.
AetherSX2, NetherSX2, or PCSX2 on Android?
NetherSX2 for most people. PCSX2's Android build is the official option and improving.
NetherSX2 is the maintained version of AetherSX2, so it keeps the same feel with ongoing fixes. PCSX2 for Android is newer on phones but comes straight from the official team. Either is a good pick, and both read the same BIOS, so you can try one and switch without changing your BIOS file.
What about DamonPS2?
Skip it. It is dated and has a poor reputation.
DamonPS2 was popular once, but it drew heavy criticism and has fallen behind. NetherSX2 or PCSX2 for Android are better in every way today, so there is no reason to choose it.
PCSX2 vs RetroArch for PS2
PCSX2 is the standalone app. RetroArch runs PS2 through its LRPS2 core.
If you only play PS2, the standalone PCSX2 is simpler and gets updates fastest. RetroArch makes sense if you already use it for many systems and want everything in one place. Both need the same BIOS, and both are free, so the choice is about your setup, not compatibility.
Which emulator should a beginner start with?
PCSX2 on a computer, or NetherSX2 on a phone.
If you have a PC, start with PCSX2, since it is the most polished and best documented. On a phone, start with NetherSX2. Add the BIOS, load a game, and change settings only if a title needs it. When you are ready, the best PS2 games guide is a good place to begin.
Is there a PS2 emulator for Xbox?
Yes. XBSX2 is a PCSX2 fork for Xbox Series consoles.
XBSX2 brings PS2 emulation to the Xbox Series X and S, and like the others it needs a PS2 BIOS. It is more niche than the PC and Android options, but it works, and the BIOS file is the same one you would use anywhere else.
Are PS2 emulators free?
The ones worth using are free.
PCSX2, NetherSX2, RetroArch, and Play! cost nothing. You never need to pay for a PS2 emulator, so treat any app demanding money, such as some versions of DamonPS2, with suspicion. The only thing you supply yourself is the BIOS.