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PCSX2 is a Sony PlayStation 2 Emulator

PCSX2 Table of Contents

Getting Started with PCSX2

How to Install PCSX2

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The Basics

$HOME or ~ refer to your home directory. On a typical linux distro, the full path will be \$HOME/\$USER. On a Steam Deck, the full path will be /home/deck. When navigating using the file manager, the file manager may not be display the username visually in the full file path.

Directories with a . in front of their name, like $HOME/.steam, are hidden by default. In Dolphin (a file manager), click the hamburger menu in the top right and toggle on Show Hidden Files. The setting may vary depending on which file manager you are using.

$HOME/Applications refers to the Applications folder in your home directory. On a typical linux distro, the full path will be \$HOME/\$USER/Applications. On a Steam Deck, the full path will be /home/deck/Applications. When navigating using the file manager, the file manager may not display the username visually in the full file path. The Applications folder is not created by default. If you have not created one already, do so before following the steps in this section.

PCSX2 is available as both an AppImage and Flatpak on Linux. The Flatpak build is based on the latest stable release. For the sake of getting the latest updates, this page will cover how to utilize and install the AppImage.

To download PCSX2:

  1. Open the PCSX2 website on a browser of your choice
  2. Click the Latest Nightly button, click the Linux > AppImage button
  3. Move the newly downloaded AppImage to the $HOME/Applications folder
    • $HOME/Applications refers to the Applications folder in your home directory. On a typical linux distro, the full path will be \$HOME/\$USER/Applications. On a Steam Deck, the full path will be /home/deck/Applications. When navigating using the file manager, the file manager may not display the username visually in the full file path. The Applications folder is not created by default. If you have not created one already, do so before following the steps in this section.
  4. Rename the AppImage to pcsx2.AppImage
  5. Right click the application in question, click Properties, click Permissions, check Is Executable.
  6. PCSX2 will now be downloaded

PCSX2 Tips and Tricks