Although it has been over 20 years since the release of Sony’s PlayStation 2, the fondly-remembered home console still holds the spot for the best-selling video game console of all time. With over 155 million units sold, the PlayStation 2 received a lot of love during its launch and the years to follow, thanks to the inclusion of a DVD drive and a slew of great games. Considering that the library of PS2 games extends beyond 3,500 unique titles, there’s no shortage of excellent games to play. However, with the precarious condition of some physical copies of retro games, you might be looking for alternative ways to enjoy your PlayStation 2 collection. Luckily, the MC2SIO is here to save the day, allowing gamers to play their favorite PS2 titles straight from a memory card. Better yet, the process requires no modding, so you can retain the purity of your console while still reaping the rewards. Let’s take a closer look at the MC2SIO memory card adapter and see just how it works!
Development on the MC2SIO started 7 years ago in 2015 by a handful of passionate PS2 fans, working together to figure out the functionality and physical design.
Play PS2 Games From a Memory Card with the MC2SIO
When it comes to playing PS2 games straight from external storage on original hardware, your options are somewhat limited. If you own an original, bulky PS2, you can always take advantage of the expansion bay to add a hard drive. However, owners of the PlayStation 2 Slim console are somewhat behind, as the sleek design of the system removes the possibility of any significant attachments. While the USB port offers a half-solution for loading games off an external source, the lackluster read and write times often result in lag, choppy visuals, or complete incompatibility. Luckily, the MC2SIO memory card adapter overcomes these obstacles, providing smooth gameplay that just works.
Development on the MC2SIO started 7 years ago in 2015 by a handful of passionate PS2 fans, working together to figure out the functionality and physical design. After laying the groundwork, a modder named Helder swooped in and updated the design of the PCB circuit board while fixing some of the bugs and issues users had discovered. This led to the final version of the MC2SIO that we’re covering today, which uses a simple microSD card to run your PS2 backups with ease.
How to Setup and Use the MC2SIO
All things considered, preparing the MC2SIO for use on your PlayStation 2 is surprisingly simple, requiring no physical modification of hardware and only a small bit of setup time. First off, you’ll need a memory card with the programs Free McBoot and Open PS2 Loader (v1.1.0) installed. For full instructions on how to get these programs correctly installed on your device, check out our full MC2SIO memory card tutorial video for clear and concise steps. However, if you want to skip over these steps, you can purchase a memory card with the programs preinstalled from Helder’s website (use code TITO to save $5 off of your order). You’ll also need the MC2SIO memory card adapter, which can also be purchased from the same storefront.
Once you have your modified memory card and memory card adapter all set up, getting things running is as simple as can be. Simply insert the memory card with Free McBoot installed into the first slot on your system and the MC2SIO adapter into the second slot. After booting up your system, scroll down to the OPL option and enter the menu, where you can find a list of all the PS2 backups you have placed on the SD card. Once you’ve found the game you want to play, simply select it from the menu and you’re ready to go!
"... the MCS2IO is a fantastic tool for PS2 fans who want to play their backups on original hardware without much hassle."
Our Thoughts on the MCS2IO
Overall, the MCS2IO is one of the best ways to play your PS2 backups, regardless of what kind of system you own. Even if you have a larger PS2 and are able to add a hard drive, the MCS2IO is a much cheaper option as you won’t need to purchase the network adapter or any external storage beside the SD card. Furthermore, it’s incredibly easy to set up and works like a charm. The MCS2IO isn’t an absolutely perfect piece of tech, as you won’t be able to run any PlayStation 1 games, or use the adapter on a 9000-model slim PS2. Despite these small issues though, the MCS2IO is a fantastic tool for PS2 fans who want to play their backups on original hardware without much hassle.
