.PS2 File Extension
PCSX2 Memory Card
| Developer | PCSX2 |
| Popularity |
4.2 | 106 Votes |
What is a PS2 file?
A PS2 file is a virtual memory card used by PCSX2 and the now-discontinued AetherSX2, which are PlayStation 2 (PS2) emulators. It contains saved game data that preserves a user's progress in a game, functioning identically to an actual PS2 memory card when loading it with PCSX2 or AetherSX2.
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When players save an in-progress game on a PlayStation 2, the system saves the game data to a removable memory card. Typically, PS2 memory cards can store up to 8 MB of saved game data. (This is enough space for roughly 15 saved games.)
PCSX2 and AetherSX2 use PS2 files to replicate the functionality of PS2 memory cards. Players can use menu options to create new PS2 files and load existing PS2 files. After loading a PS2 file into a memory card slot and starting their emulator, players can access the PS2 file's data just as they would a standard PS2 memory card's data (from the PS2's Browser screen).
NOTE: Sharkport, a PS2 data transfer accessory, stores players' saved games as files that use the .ps2 extension. These files are not the same as PCSX2 PS2 files. Thus, if your PS2 file does not work with PCSX2 or AetherSX2, it may be a Sharkport PS2 file.
How to open a PS2 file
You can load a PS2 file into PCSX2 (Windows, Linux) to use the saved game data the file contains. To load a PS2 file with PCSX2:
- Place the file in PCSX2's memcards directory.
- Open PCSX2 and select Config → Memory Cards.
- In the MemoryCard Manager window, drag your PS2 file to a PS2 port.
The next time you boot your BIOS, the virtual memory card your PS2 file contains will appear in PCSX2.
You can also open PS2 files with AetherSX2 on Android devices, but the app is discontinued. To load a PS2 file with AetherSX2:
- Open AetherSX2's hamburger menu.
- Select Import Memory Card.
- Navigate to and load your PS2 file.
The next time you boot your BIOS, the virtual memory card your PS2 file contains will appear in AetherSX2.
Additionally, you can use mymc in Windows to view, manage, or convert the saved game data a PS2 file stores.
How to convert a PS2 file
You can use mymc to convert the saved game data a PS2 file contains to the following formats:
- .PSU - EMS PS2 Memory Adapter Save
- MAX - MAX Drive PS2 Save
Programs that open PS2 files
Microsoft Search Catalog Index File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 13 Votes |
System file created by Indexing Service, a component of Microsoft Windows used to automatically generate a searchable file system index; contains data that helps the Windows search perform file information searches more quickly.
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PS2 files, along with other search index files, are often created in the C:\System Volume Information\catalog.wci directory.
Programs that open or reference PS2 files
Sharkport Saved Game
| Developer | Sharkport |
| Popularity |
3.6 | 12 Votes |
Saved game file created by Sharkport, a PlayStation 2 (PS2) hardware accessory used for transferring data to a PC; contains a PS2 saved game but in the Sharkport file format; used for sharing saved games with others via email and the Internet.
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The ".ps2" extension is also used by PCSX2 (PlayStation 2 emulator) memory card images. However, the Sharkport and PCSX2 ".ps2" formats are not compatible with each other. Therefore, if you receive a PS2 file, you may need to test it with both Sharkport and PCSX2. PCSX2 uses the .P2S extension for saves.
Sharkport PS2 files can be converted to other PlayStation 2 save formats using PS2 Save Builder. However, you first need to change the ".ps2" extension to .MD, the extension used by previous versions of Sharkport.