PlayStation 5 has crossed a new threshold regarding PS2 discs. Independent developer Sword’s PS5SX2 project copies and emulates physical game discs on consoles that meet the appropriate software conditions. However, the feature does not mean an official backwards compatibility update that Sony offers to all PS5 users.
The project brings the open source PCSX2 emulator to PS5 hardware. Therefore, the game does not run on the computer and send its image to the console, the operations are carried out directly by PS5. The developer’s project description states that it uses recompilation on the processor side and Vulkan-based rendering on the graphics side. The application does not distribute the necessary BIOS file or games within itself.
How disk support works is the most important detail of the news. Descriptions of version 2.01 show that the emulator first transfers the game on disk to the console’s storage. Therefore, inserting the disc does not instantly start the game like on the old PS2. Copying requires both time and free storage space.
Sword made this process more understandable in the PS5SX2 2.02 version dated October 10. The icon on the game shelf shows the disk spinning and the progress percentage during copying. The app does not allow you to start the game until the transfer is complete. Additionally, the developer keeps the experimental physical drive reading option turned off by default.
PS5SX2 improves disc transfer and game settings
The new version doesn’t just focus on disk functionality. The developer added four image filters with CRT, scanlines, and two different VHS looks. In addition, the commands on the right and left side of the DualSense touchpad are now based on actual clicking. Placing the finger on the surface alone does not trigger the same command.
The settings prepared for God of War II are also included in the 2.02 package. This profile includes six times the resolution and the 16:9 widescreen option. However, increasing the resolution in emulation does not mean that all games will maintain the same frame rate. The structure of the game itself and the settings you use determine the balance between display and performance. The release also includes a fix to the extensive game archives that reduces startup lag. The developer attributes this to the cache load, which contains thousands of game codes. Thus, it provides a solution to a problem that arises under different conditions than small archives.
On the other hand, the current development should not be confused with the RPCS3 adaptation on PS5 that was brought to the agenda before. There is a separate emulation project here that runs PS2 games. Future plans for PS3 discs also don’t seem to extend the PS2 support that works today.
If you have a PS5 that uses standard system software, you cannot turn on the new feature with an ordinary application update. PS5SX2 requires modified console environment. The tangible value of the development therefore lies in making it easier to import old disk collections into emulation. The list of games supported by Sony and official console functions continue on their own terms.