Aftermarket PS2 memory cards are nothing new, as these multi-use gadgets have been an excellent source of soft modding on the system for years. With the ability to load custom game files, save through virtual storage, and much more, they’ve become a staple of the PS2 homebrew community. Now, thanks to some new technology, a couple of modded memory cards are separating themselves from the pack as the premiere way to simplify your PS2 experience. Let’s take a closer look at these two memory cards and see just how far the technology has come.
The SD2PSX, MemCard Pro2, and MMCE Tech
The first of the two cards we’re looking at today is the SD2PSX, developed by zyx as a solution for unlimited storage instead of the standard PS2 memory restrictions. However, this card was most recently updated with a new protocol called Multi-Purpose Memory Card Emulation (or MMCE for short), which provides some super neat functionality. This protocol also works with the MemCard Pro2, another wonderful aftermarket memory card that we’ve covered multiple times in the past.
In practice, MMCE allows the SD2PSX and the Memcard Pro2 to both load game files and write save files simultaneously, something unheard of until now. In layman’s terms, the PlayStation 2 console interacts with the memory card through a specific “language” of signals, and the MMCE language allows the PlayStation 2 to read game files directly from the memory card, then switch back to its standard language when it needs to write saves. This removes the need for flash drives, external hard drives, and other solutions, as all of your PS2 needs are now contained in one flashy device.
How to Set Up PS2 Modded Memory Cards
Setting up the SD2PSX and MemCard Pro2 mostly involves downloading files and configuring the devices on your computer, but I’ll lay out the basic steps here. For a full step-by-step tutorial, be sure to check out my full YouTube tutorial for more detailed instructions. Thankfully, you won’t need any extra tools or advanced knowledge to get the memory cards up and running, instead, you’ll just need a PC and an internet connection.
If you’re setting up the SD2PSX, you’ll first need to download the custom SD2PSX firmware files, the Pre-Setup SD Card structure, and a civ.bin file. Now, insert your chosen SD card into your PC, format the card in exFAT, and then copy/extract the downloaded files to the card. While you’re here, create two additional folders, a “DVD” and “CD” file, for your PS2 and PS1 game files respectively. With that done, remove the SD card and plug it into your SD2PSX, and then plug the memory card back into your PC. Using the screen display on the SD2PSX, use the main menu to select “Boot Mode”, then select “PS2”. Once that’s done, return to the menu, select “PS2 settings”, then select “deploy civ.bin”, and you’re good to go!
As I mentioned earlier, this same technology can be added to the MemCard Pro2, granting even more functionality to an already great memory card. Thanks to the integrated WiFi and browser-based updating, this process is actually quite simple. First, make sure your MemCard Pro2 is updated to the latest firmware, then download this Free McBoot virtual memory card and insert your SD card into your PC. From there, navigate to the SD card file directory, select the “PS2” folder, then the “MemoryCard1” folder, where you’ll find a memory card file. Delete this file and replace it with the virtual memory card file you just downloaded. Once that’s done, go back to the root of the SD card and create two folders for your game files, and everything should be set!
Features, Pros, and Cons of New PS2 Memory Cards
It’s hard to overstate just how impressive the MMCE protocol is, as it creates a seamless experience of loading and saving games on PS2, all without the hassle of excessive setup. While there are other mods that will get this job done, they often require much more work and a higher project cost, if they’re possible at all. For example, the PlayStation 2 Slim console has no expansion bay, making it impossible to add an external hard drive for game files. In this case, the SD2PSX and the MemCard Pro2 are invaluable.
Overall, it’s great to see these plug and play solutions continue to grow in a way that makes PS2 homebrew more easily accessible for players, regardless of their modding expertise. The SD2PSX is also open-source, leaving much more room to grow. That said, the MemCard Pro2 is also packed with additional benefits, like uploading your game saves to the cloud, integrated WiFi, and so much more. You won’t find much to complain about with both of these products, as they streamline the PS2 homebrew scene in such an amazing way, making them must-have accessories for any retro PlayStation fan.
I’m still trying to figure out where to download the civ.bin file. I’ll look into the kaico folders I downloaded today to see if that file is in one of those zip. I never saw that civ file on git hub or Kaico’s site. Without that one dad blamed file. The sd2psx memory card is useless to me. Frustrating indeed, and the file should have been preloaded on the sp2psx memory card in my opinion.