If you’re a fan of classic games, you might be wondering what game system will play PlayStation 2 games. The PS2 was one of the most popular gaming consoles of all time, and many people still have a collection of games they’d like to play.
Unfortunately, the PS2 is no longer in production, so you can’t buy a brand new console. However, there are still some options available if you want to play your old PS2 games.
Option 1: PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 is the most obvious choice for playing PS2 games. The earliest models of the PS3 were backwards compatible with PS2 games, meaning that they could play both PS2 and PS3 games.
However, later models removed this feature in order to cut costs. If you have an older model of the PS3, you should be able to pop in your old PS2 game discs and start playing right away.
Keep in mind: Not all models of the PlayStation 3 are backwards compatible with PS2 games. Make sure to check the model number before purchasing a used console.
Option 2: PlayStation Now
PlayStation Now is a streaming service that allows you to play a variety of PlayStation games on your PC or PlayStation 4. While it doesn’t offer every single PS2 game ever made, there are quite a few available on the service. You’ll need a decent internet connection to use PlayStation Now since all the games are streamed from Sony’s servers.
Keep in mind: While this option doesn’t require any hardware beyond your PC or PlayStation 4, it does come with a subscription fee.
Option 3: Emulation
Emulation is another option for playing PS2 games on modern hardware. Essentially, emulation software allows your computer to mimic the hardware of an older console like the PS2. There are a few different emulators available for PS2 games, but keep in mind that it can be a bit of a technical process to get everything up and running.
Keep in mind: While emulation is legal, downloading ROMs (which contain the game data) from the internet is not. Make sure you own a physical copy of any game you’re emulating.
Conclusion
While the PS2 may no longer be in production, there are still ways to play your old games. Whether you’re using an older model of the PS3, subscribing to PlayStation Now, or setting up an emulator on your computer, there are options available for every budget and level of technical expertise. With a little bit of effort and research, you can relive some of your favorite gaming memories from years past.