You Can Now Emulate PlayStation 2 Games On The Xbox Series
Microsoft is back at the top of its game with the recent release of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. It's time to wave goodbye to the Xbox One and embrace a new era of the company's flagship console. While Microsoft has always been ahead of Sony in terms of backwards compatibility, there's been a bizarre twist of fate where the next-gen Xboxes have been married with the beloved PlayStation 2. That's right, you can now emulate PlayStation 2 games on the Xbox Series X/S.
One of the next-gen Xbox's big features is its backwards compatibility, allowing you to play nearly any Xbox One and previous Xbox console game. It means the console boasts a gaming library like no other. Back in the day, the PS2 was the king of the consoles, so it's no surprise it went on to become the best-selling with over 158 million sold during its impressive life cycle. With games like Silent Hill 2, Shadow of the Colossus, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, there was also a smorgasbord of award-winners to enjoy.
How can you emulate PlayStation 2 Games On The Xbox Series?
In a video shared by Modern Vintage Gamer, they're seen running PS2 titles on the Xbox Series S via the RetroArch emulator. You can see the original God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, and Metal Gear Solid 2 all running smoothly. The graphics are obviously a little clunky when compared to modern standards, but with the PS2 first coming out 20 years ago, what did you really expect?
Although it's a neat idea, Modern Vintage Gamer's experience isn't faultless. The emulator can only handle up to 2GB, which leads to the occasional glitch in larger games. Put it this way, don't expect it to ever be able to run Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and its whopping 190GB. Still, it's a nostalgic trip down memory lane for Xbox owners who aren't afraid to dip their toe into Sony's cool waters. There's been a long debate on whether Sony or Xbox reigns supreme, while Sony often edges ahead with its first-party games. RetroaArch combines the grunt of the Xbox with the games that made the PS2 such a goliath back in the day.
The Xbox One embraced emulation thanks to the introduction of Dev Mode. It allowed owners to install a development built as long as it uses the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). Many of us forgot about these capabilities, but as we usher in a new generation of gaming and the promise of backwards compatibility becomes more prevalent, emulation is back with a vengeance.
Added to this, it "technically" puts Microsoft ahead of Sony in terms of games it can offer. Even though the PS5 offers its own internal backwards compatibility with 99% of its PS4 games, that's where it ends. Those at the top confirmed the PS5 won't support anything pre-PS4, which has left us in the dark with the PS3, PS2, and Lara Croft's triangular look from the PS One era. Importantly, RetroArch remains in active development. If the Xbox Series X and Series S gain the ability to run PS3 games, Sony could face some serious competition!
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