PCSX2 is a PlayStation 2 emulator for Windows and Linux, started by the same team that brought you PCSX (a Sony PlayStation 1 emulator).

The PCSX2 project attempts to allow PS2 code to be executed on your computer, thus meaning you can put a PS2 DVD or CD into your computers drive, and boot it up!

The project has been running for almost seven years now, and since it's initial release has grown in compatibility. From initially just being able to run a few public domain demos, it's current state enables many games to boot and actually be perfectly playable, such as the 'famous' Final Fantasy X or Devil May Cry 3.

PS2 Emulation is a complex task, far worse than emulating a console from the previous generation (PlayStation1, N64, Saturn), simply due to the CPU power required to get 'playable' speeds from a PS2 game under emulation. Whilst speed can be improved via various 'recompilers' (eeREC and vuREC, Emotion Engine recompiler and Vector Unit CPU recompiler respectively), you will still need the latest and most powerful machine you can get your hands on to get close to full FPS (50 PAL - 60 NTSC).

The PCSX2 project is Open Source (GPL) and keeps an active SVN (SubVersion) repository. We encourage genuine attempts to improve the code, in terms of compatibility, new features, optimization, and encourage plugin authors to write graphics, sound, cdvd, controller plugins.

PCSX2 was initially started by shadow, linuzappz and saqib, but since then more coders have joined the team, bringing their unique expertise with them. The development team now consists of:

arcum42: Linux compatibility,porting and general coding.
cottonvibes: FPU and microVU, general coding.
drkIIRaziel: Memory management, emulation theory/principals, recompiler design.
gigaherz: General coding, spu2ghz, cdvdGigaherz.
Jake Stine (Air): MTGS, counters, timing/syncing, wxGUI, SPU2-X
rama: Resident hacker, uses random values until they fix something, then figures out why
Refraction: General Coding DMA/VIF etc.
Saqib: Project leader, fixing bugs around (FPU, Interpreter,
VUs..)
tmkk: VUs, recompilers, x86asm