Emulation developers show off PlayStation 2 games running on Xbox Series S

We recently reported on the excellent emulation performance of Retro Arch on the Xbox Series S. We noted how smoothly GameCube and Wii games ran. However, the developers behind Retro Arch are not content to rest on their laurels. The Retro Arch team has just introduced a PlayStation 2 core, and it runs fairly well on the Xbox Series S.

As a quick caveat, running Retro Arch on the Xbox Series S and Series X requires the user to jump through some hoops, the largest of which involves paying Microsoft a one-time fee to switch the console into Developer Mode. 

The new core for Retro Arch is based on the popular PlayStation 2 emulator PCSX2. While the core is still in early development, the team’s progress is impressive. In various videos showing off the new core, like the one posted by popular emulation YouTuber Modern Vintage Gamer, many PlayStation 2 games appear to run with minimal issues. Some titles run almost flawlessly, although others have noticeable quirks and bugs, particularly with textures. 

Considering the early build of the PCSX2 core in Retro Arch, these hiccups are to be expected. What is unexpected is how many PS2 titles run well on the console. 

While the Xbox Series S may be the weakest current-gen console on the market, it’s shaping up to be the best value for retro gamers who prefer emulation. 

What do you think of the PCSX2 core for Retro Arch on the Xbox Series S? Let us know in the comments.