This is a step by step beginner’s guide shows how to install the most recent PCSX2, the free open-source Playstation 2 Emulator, in all current Ubuntu releases, including Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, and Ubuntu 24.10.
PCSX2 is an application that emulates the PS2’s hardware, allowing to play PS2 games on PC or laptop with additional features, such as custom resolutions and upscaling, virtual and sharable memory cards, save states, and internal recorder for lossless quality at full speed.
PCSX2 is a PlayStation 2 emulator, a free program that tries to replicate the PlayStation 2 console to enable you to play PS2 games on Windows, Linux.
It features:
Custom resolutions, up to 4096×4096, Anti Aliasing and Texture filtering to make your old PS2 games look better than their HD remakes!
Unlimited memory cards
Save states, enabling you to quick save and load practically anywhere in your game
Easy cheating using our pnach patching system
Use any controller (PS3,Xbox360 etc) that works on Windows, keyboards and mice
Increase or decrease the game speed by using the built-in frame-limiter for fast grinding or passing hard spots by slowing them down
Ability to record in full HD with the built-in video recorder (F12 using the GSdx plugin)
How to Install PCSX2 in Ubuntu:
NOTE: The PPA is NO longer updated! You may only install the old versions from it in Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 18.04.
The program has been made into official Ubuntu repositories since Ubuntu 15.10 Wily, but Canonical does not provide future update for this program. To get the latest version, you may use the official PCSX2 PPA, available for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 15.10, Ubuntu 15.04, Ubuntu 14.04, and derivatives.
1. Add PPA.
Open terminal from Unity Dash, Application Launcher, or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut key. When it opens, paste below command and hit run:
Type in your password (no visual feedback just type in mind) when it asks, and hit enter to continue.
2. After that, run below commands one to install the program:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install pcsx2
Or upgrade it via Software Updater if you have a previous release installed.
3. To be able to run the emulator, you have to dump the BIOS file from your Playstation 2 console, which is not included with PCSX2 due to Sony copyright. See this forum thread.
Finally start the emulator, follow the first time configuration wizard, and enjoy!
4. (Optional) Uninstall PCSX2 via Software Center, or by running below command:
