From d81a8362ca5e9bf7f596ca5c5d4a6e0c9aa1bae7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: SternXD Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:55:28 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] docs: Update XBSX2 guide --- docs/emulation/xbsx2-guide.mdx | 174 +++++++++++++++++---------------- 1 file changed, 88 insertions(+), 86 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/emulation/xbsx2-guide.mdx b/docs/emulation/xbsx2-guide.mdx index 1a2e2c0..0e362e0 100644 --- a/docs/emulation/xbsx2-guide.mdx +++ b/docs/emulation/xbsx2-guide.mdx @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ --- sidebar_position: 11 title: XBSX2 PS2 Emulator Setup Guide -description: Complete guide for installing and setting up XBSX2 PS2 emulator on Xbox Series X/S +description: Complete guide for installing and setting up XBSX2 PS2 emulator on Xbox Developer Mode tags: - emulation - ps2 @@ -16,14 +16,7 @@ import AtAGlance from '@site/src/components/AtAGlance'; # XBSX2 Setup Guide -What is XBSX2? - -XBSX2 is an emulator that allows you to play PlayStation 2 (PS2) games on your Xbox Series X|S, taking advantage of the hardware to provide smooth gameplay with features such as: - -- Higher resolutions (up to 4K) -- HD texture packs -- 60fps patches -- Multiplayer (local and online) +XBSX2 is a standalone UWP port of the PCSX2 PlayStation 2 emulator for Xbox Developer Mode on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. click **Add**. +4. Click **Choose File**, select your **`*.msixbundle`**, click **Next**, then **Start**. +5. Wait for the upload and installation to complete. -In order to install XBSX2 on your Xbox, you'll need to use the Xbox Device Portal on your computer. +### Set App Type to Game -1. Go to Xbox Dev Mode on your Xbox. Look for the IP Address of your Xbox on the Developer Home Screen (it looks like 192.168.x.x/10.0.x.x). -2. On your PC, open a web browser and enter the Xbox IP address in the URL bar. This opens the Xbox Device Portal. -3. Sign in using your Xbox Developer credentials. +Once installed, return to the **Dev Home** screen on your Xbox: -### Upload XBSX2 +1. Highlight **XBSX2** and press the **View** button. +2. Select **View details**. +3. Change the **App type** dropdown from **App** to **Game**. +4. Press **B** to exit. -In the Device Portal, go to **My Games & Apps** - **Add** - **Choose File**, select your **`*.msixbundle`**, click **Next**, then **Start**. If GitHub/release notes describe extra packages, add them too. Typical XEH builds are bundle-only. +:::warning +Do not skip setting the App Type to **Game**. In "App" mode, the console restricts CPU, GPU, and RAM access, which causes heavy stuttering and performance drops. +::: -**Troubleshooting:** If installation stalls, refresh Device Portal and try again. +--- ## Setting Up BIOS Files -A BIOS file is a core system file for running PS2 games. You'll need to legally obtain a PS2 BIOS from a PlayStation 2 console you own. - -### Getting Your PS2 BIOS File -XBSX2 requires a legally-obtained PS2 BIOS, which must be **dumped from a PlayStation 2 you own** emulators cannot provide this due to copyright. For official guidance on dumping and using a BIOS, see the PCSX2 setup documentation: -https://pcsx2.net/docs/setup/bios +XBSX2 requires a PS2 BIOS dumped from a PlayStation 2 console you own. For official guidance on dumping a BIOS, see the [PCSX2 BIOS Setup Guide](https://pcsx2.net/docs/setup/bios). -### Option 1: Using a USB drive +### Option 1: Using a USB Drive (Recommended) -1. Format your USB drive to NTFS and apply permissions. Click here if you don't know how to do this. -2. Create a folder named XBSX2 on the USB drive. -3. Inside that folder, create another folder called BIOS. -4. Copy the PS2 BIOS file to the BIOS folder on your USB drive. +1. Format your USB drive to NTFS and apply permissions following the [USB Setup Guide](/docs/xbox-setup/xbox-developer-mode-setup#setting-up-usb-drive-for-emulation). +2. Create an `XBSX2` folder on the USB drive. +3. Inside `XBSX2`, create a folder named `bios`. +4. Copy your dumped PS2 BIOS files (`.bin`, `.rom0`, `.rom1`, etc.) into the `bios` folder. ![BIOS Setup](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidebios.png) -5. Make sure your BIOS should be like in the Picture. +### Option 2: Internal Storage -![BIOS Selection](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidebios2.png) +If you aren't using a USB drive, upload your BIOS files using the Device Portal: -### Option 2: Internal storage +1. Go to **Device Portal** > **File Explorer** > `LocalAppData\XBSX2\LocalState\`. +2. Create a `bios` folder (if it doesn't already exist). +3. Upload your BIOS files into this folder. -Upload the PS2 BIOS file using the Xbox Device Portal: +### Configure BIOS in XBSX2 -1. Go to Dev Portal > File Explorer > LocalAppData > XBSX2 > LocalState -2. Create a BIOS folder (if it doesn't already exist). -3. Copy the BIOS files into this folder. - -### Configure BIOS on Xbox - -1. Plug the USB drive into your Xbox. -2. Open XBSX2 on the Xbox. -3. Navigate to Settings > BIOS Directory. -4. Point the BIOS directory to the BIOS folder on your USB drive or internal storage. -5. Once You've done BIOS Part then Click BIOS Selection to see if your BIOS show up like this: +1. Plug the USB drive into your Xbox and open **XBSX2**. +2. Navigate to **Settings** > **BIOS Settings**. +3. Select **Change Search Directory** and point it to your BIOS folder (`E:\XBSX2\bios`). +4. Click **BIOS Selection** to make sure your BIOS is detected: ![BIOS Selection Screen](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidebios2.png) :::note -If your BIOS does not show up then you need to redump your BIOS. +If no BIOS appears in the list, verify that your USB drive has `ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES` NTFS permissions set, or check that your BIOS dump is valid. ::: -## Adding PS2 Games +--- -You need to legally dump your PS2 games. If you have physical PS2 discs, you can use a tool like ImgBurn on a PC to convert them into ISO files. Your ROMs should be ISO, BIN/CUE, or CHD files. +## Adding PS2 Games -### Option 1: Transfer Games via USB +### Option 1: Transfer Games via USB (Recommended) -1. On your USB drive, create a folder named Games. -2. Inside the Games folder, create another folder called PlayStation 2. -3. Copy your PS2 game ISOs into the PlayStation 2 folder. +1. On your USB drive, inside the `XBSX2` folder (or at the root of your drive), create a `Games` folder. +2. Copy your PS2 game files (`.iso`, `.chd`, `.cso`, or `.bin`/`.cue`) into the `Games` folder. ![Game Folder Structure](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidegames.png) ### Option 2: Upload Games to Internal Storage -Use the Xbox Device Portal to upload games: +1. In Device Portal, go to **File Explorer** > `LocalAppData\XBSX2\LocalState\`. +2. Create a folder named `Games`. +3. Upload your game files (`.iso`, `.chd`, etc.) into this directory. -1. Go to Dev Portal > File Explorer > DevelopmentFiles > WindowsApps > XBSX2. -2. Create a folder named Games in this directory. -3. Upload the ROMs as .ISO, BIN/CUE, or CHD files. +### Configure Games Directory in XBSX2 -You can upload them as .zip files, and the Dev Portal will prompt you to unzip them automatically. +1. Open **XBSX2** on your Xbox. +2. Go to **Games List** > **Game Directories** tab. +3. Select **Add Directory** and point it to your `Games` folder (e.g. `E:\XBSX2\Games`). +4. Your games will now appear in the main library. -### Configure Games Directory on Xbox +### Cover Art (Optional) -1. Open XBSX2 on your Xbox. -2. Go to Games List > Games Directory Tab. -3. Point the games directory to the PlayStation 2 folder on your USB drive or the Games folder in internal storage. +To show custom box art in the game grid: +1. Save cover images as `.jpg` or `.png` files named after the game's serial code (e.g. `SLUS-20946.jpg`). +2. Place them into `E:\XBSX2\Covers\`. -## Configuring Memory Cards +![Cover Art Setup](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidecovers.png) -To save your games in XBSX2, you need virtual memory cards. +--- -### Option 1: USB Memory Cards +## Configuring Memory Cards -1. On your USB drive, go to the XBSX2 folder. -2. Create a folder named MemoryCards. +XBSX2 supports both standard 8MB memory card files and dynamic folder-based memory cards. -### Option 2: Internal Storage Memory Cards +### Setup Memory Cards Folder -Using the Xbox Device Portal, go to Dev portal > File explorer > LocalAppData > XBSX2 > LocalState. -Create a MemoryCards folder (if it doesn't exist). +- **USB Drive:** Create a `memcards` folder inside `E:\XBSX2\`. +- **Internal Storage:** Create a `memcards` folder inside `LocalAppData\XBSX2\LocalState\`. -### Set Up Memory Cards in XBSX2 +### Configure in XBSX2 -1. Open XBSX2 on your Xbox. -2. Navigate to Settings > Memory Card Settings. -3. Set Slot 1 to use the MemoryCards folder on your USB drive or internal storage. +1. Open **XBSX2** and go to **Settings** > **Memory Card Settings**. +2. Set your directory path to your `memcards` folder. +3. Set **Slot 1** to an existing card or create a new memory card. -**Tip:** Use folder-based memory cards so you never run out of save space. +:::tip +Use **Folder Memory Cards** instead of standard 8MB files so you never run out of save space. +::: + +--- ## Controller Setup @@ -208,7 +210,7 @@ Enable the Multitap setting if you plan on using more than 2 controllers. Find cheats for your desired games. Recommended websites: -- Emulation Collective Discord +- Xbox Emulation Hub Discord - Revives Community Server Discord - Gamehacking.org - PCSX2 forums @@ -302,15 +304,15 @@ Once ready, the files should be in a folder named after the game's SLUS/SLES cod ### Option 1: Add Textures via USB 1. On your USB drive, go to the XBSX2 folder. -2. Create a subfolder named Textures. -3. Inside the Textures folder, add the folder with the game's SLUS/SLES code. +2. Create a subfolder named textures. +3. Inside the textures folder, add the folder with the game's SLUS/SLES code. ![Texture Packs Structure](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidetextures.png) ### Option 2: Upload Textures to Internal Storage Use the Xbox Device Portal to upload the texture files. -Go to Dev Portal > File Explorer > LocalAppData > XBSX2 > LocalState > Textures. +Go to Dev Portal > File Explorer > LocalAppData > XBSX2 > LocalState > textures. Upload the game-specific texture folder here. ### Enable HD Textures in XBSX2