Emulator is the software that helps us to run multiple OS on a single hardware. It typically helps one OS to behave as another for as much amount of time as we want and then switch back to our original OS. This in turn helps people to run different apllications exclusively for various OS on a single platform. Like if you have an Windows PC emulator, or the iOS one, you can run Windows or iOS appliactions on your Mac computer, especially good for app developers.
Mac PC is now common around the world, and it’s not surprising that some people would want to play game with it. But there are some games that only built for Windows, Nintendo or other devices, and hence you may need the game emulator for these games to run on Mac OS. So, here in this article, we will show you some of the best Game Console Emulators for macOS.
PlayStation 3 Emulator 2019 is a very fabulous program for video games. That is useful for those people who want to run PlayStation games on Desktop PC and Mac Pc. PCSX3 Emulator is very powerful tool That is created for games lover. This software allows you to run 3D animated games on your PC or Laptop.
Tips: If you ever lost important notes or messages on iPhone, you can also use Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery for Mac to get them back easily even without backup.
Also read: 6 Best iOS Emulator For Windows To Build & Run iOS Apps
Top 15 Gaming Emulators for Mac Computers
1. Virtual PC for Mac
This emulator by Microsoft aims to emulate Windows OS on your Mac giveing you the freedom to run those programs specifical for Windows OS that you can not use on your Mac OS.
This game emulator will successfully take out your worry about the fact that you cannot run your Windows games on Mac. This Windows emulator will work as Windows 7 version, which may be a bit outdated but still it can do your job perfectly.
Download: Virtual PC for Mac
2. XBOX 360 Emulator for Mac
As the name suggests this is an XBOX oriented emulator completely made for Mac OS. For playing XBOX games, XeMu360 emulator is the most widely used emulator. This is comparatively a new software and it does support almost all XBOX games.
This is a very powerful emulator so that Mac OS users can enjoy playing XBOX games on it flawlessly.
Download: XBOX 360 Emulator for Mac
3. Playstation Emulators for Mac
PCSX-Reloaded is one of the the best emulator that can be installed on your Mac OS ideal for playing Playstation games. As an open source software, this emulator gives you the freedom to install it on all versions of Mac OS. Things become much simpler and easier after its installation process has been modified recently.
It would be better to keep all your playstation games inside one folder on Mac. Then after installing PCSX-Reloaded all you have to do is to drop the game you want to play in it. The emulator also has a built-in BIOS and the ability to edit memory cards as well.
Download: Playstation Emulators for Mac
4. Nintendo 64 Emulator for Mac
Mupen64 is one of the well-known emulator for Nintendo 64 to use on Mac OS. This emulator is very stable and compatible with all types of Mac OS.
However, you will require to install the GTK+ for this Nitendo 64 emulator to work smoothly. GTK+ is a graphical toolkit that needs to be installed on the Mac to process graphics. GTK+ will remains in the background and rightly handles the graphics of the N64 ROMS on Mac.
Download: Nintendo 64 Emulator for Mac
5. GameCube and Wii Games Emulator for Mac
Dolphin is one of the best game emulator for macOS to run GameCube, Wii and Triforce games. This emulator is very much compatible with multiple platforms including the macOS. It is also free to use as an open source project. The emulator works well with macOS 10.6 to 10.8 and is very user friendly as well.
The only thing the user needs to do is to specifiy the BIOS file which comes always with the ROM. When you start playing the game, Dolphin emulator automatically senses the game file and starts playing it on Mac.
Download: GameCube and Wii Games Emulator for Mac
6. OpenEmu
OpenEmu emulator is one of the most reliable emulators in the market, compatible with Mac OS 10.7 and higher. Being very user friendly, it also has an iTunes type menu. This is the ultimate gaming emulator that detects the game Roms according to their requirement.
OpenEmu – How To Run Emulators on a Mac N64 PSP SNES NES And More!
OpenEmu supports a great number of consoles like:
- Game Boy
- NeoGeo Pocket
- Game Gear
- Sega Genesis and lot more
Download: OpenEmu
7. RetroArch
RetroArch seems to be an all-in-one emulator for macOS that helps the users to play any kind of retro games. The emulator even can be used to play PlayStation 1 games and older ones as well. In the handheld game console RetroArch even supports Game Boy Advance games. It is totally based on the number of cores with each of the core emulating a console.
Download: RetroArch
8. PPSSPP
The name PPSSPP stands for Playstation Portable Simulator Suitable for Playing Portably, which is an emulator for playing PSP games. The emulator was originally created by Dolphin developers and is widely used across the globe. PPSSPP is very easy to install and to use on Mac, and also it supports a wide number of PSP games.
Download: PPSSPP
9. ScummVM
This emulator is speifically designed for those people who like to play point-and-click games. SucmmVM is supported by macOS and uses the Scumm scripting language shown as its name. The emulator also supports many of the adventure games like the Monkey Island 1-3, Sam & Max and much more.
Download: ScummVM
10. DeSmuME
DeSmuMe is another emulator for macOS that helps users to play with the dual screens of Nintendo, i.e. by simulating dual screens on the monitor itself. The emulator also supports games that we want play on the devices sideways.
The best part of this emulator is that its constantly being modified by developers and new features are getting added to it on a regular basis. And now over the years this has become one of the best game emulators for Mac in the market.
Download: DeSmuME
11. DosBox
As the name suggests this emulator is purposefuly made for DOS based programs. Many DOS based games are still played by users; so to make those games available even on macOS this emulator has been created.
Download: DosBox
12. Xamarian Android Player for Mac
This is an Android emulator that can be run on macOS so that you can play the millions of Android games onto your Mac. Xamarain Android player also supports OpenGL and actually virtualizes the device instead of simply emulating it.
This also helps to enhance the performance of your Mac. The emulator has a great integration with both the Visual Studio and the Xamarin Studio, and this one has a native user interface.
Download: Xamarian Android Player for Mac
13. PS3 Emulator for Mac
PS3 emulator typically supports macOS and allows users to play PlayStation 3 games on Mac. It is completely free and only need you to have any PS3 supported game. This gives complete freedom for users to choose whatever PS3 game they want to play on their Mac.
Download: PS3 Emulator for Mac
14. iOS Emulator iPadian for Mac
As its name suggests, this is an emulator that helps you run iOS applications on your Mac. By downloading this simulator, users can use iPad applications on a Mac as well. The best iOS emulator currently available is the iPadian.
This emulator is based on Adobe AIR and readily creates an interface similar to iPad on your Mac. iPadian is a very good emulator if you are just looking to run iOS appliactios and games on your Mac flawlessly.
Download: iOS Emulator iPadian for Mac
15. Visual Boy Advance
The Visual Boy Advance, also known to be the Mac Boy advance, can play almost all games of the Nintendo consoles on Mac. This GBA is written and developed specifically for the OS X and is compatibile with almost all kinds of macOS.
Download: Visual Boy Advance
So, here are our top 15 picks of game consloe emulators that you can readily download onto your Mac and seamlessly enjoy Android, DOS, Windows, iOS and much more experiences. By this way, you do not have to buy other kinds of OS, but just an emulator that will help you to run other applications on the single macOS.
Each of these emulators for Mac has its own advantage, and gaming on them is another treat to be honest. With such wide variety of support for games, you can download each of them and find out your favorite one and play all along. If you have any other good suggestion or question, welcome to comment down.
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Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.The Sony PlayStation 2 is a nostalgia-inducing console. Several prominent video game series cut their teeth on the PS2, and the platform boasted thousands of games across every genre imaginable.
The PS2 is several generations old, surpassed by newer, more capable consoles. However, if you download and install a PS2 emulator you can relive the glory days of the PlayStation 2.
In this article we’ll show you how to play PlayStation 2 games on your PC, allowing you to enjoy all of those classic PS2 games once again.
What Is an Emulator?
An emulator emulates software or hardware. A gaming emulator reproduces a gaming console, allowing users to play everything from a Super Nintendo to a Wii, and everything in between without the need for the console. And the PlayStation 2 is no exception. An emulator can read the game’s disc image using special software that uses your computer and a display and storage system.
An emulator often has various benefits over classic gaming consoles. For example, many emulators allow enhanced resolutions, modern shaders and filters, third-party mods and tweaks, and much more besides. The extensive functionality of an emulator can enhance older games, as the emulator can also make use of the potential of a modern gaming rig.
To play a game using an emulator, you need a ROM (Read-Only Memory). ROMs are the equivalent of a game cartridge, compacting all of the game data into a readable and usable file. A PlayStation 2 ROM takes the form of an ISO, which is a disc image (which makes sense, as PS2 games were disc-based). The ISO file is a copy of the original game files, although you can use ISO files for several other reasons What Are ISO Files & How You Can Create, Use & Burn Them For Free In Windows 7ISO files can be created from any CD or DVD you have lying around. They’re called 'disc images' because they’re an exact image of a disc. An ISO file contains an exact representation of the... Read More .
ROMs, through the emulator, allows users to play their games. However, the game doesn’t just “play.” The emulator mounts the ISO in a virtual disc drive, in a process known as mounting How to Create & Mount Disc Images on a Virtual DriveDo you still have CDs or DVDs lying around? When an optical disc breaks, it's gone forever. We show you how to make digital and playable backups of your CDs and DVDs now! Read More . Once the emulator mounts the ISO file, it can read the game data.
Some emulators, including PlayStation 2 emulators, require a BIOS file. A BIOS is a low-level software that starts when you boot your computer and is usually associated with your PC. A PlayStation 2 BIOS is slightly different from the one your PC uses and contains information that relates to the version of your PS2.
For instance, enabling a Japanese BIOS version will allow users to load PS2 games published in Japan. Some PS2 games will not load if the BIOS version doesn’t match the correct region.
What Is the Best PS2 Emulator?
The quality of an emulator stems from stability. Not all emulators are the same. Some will allow for smoother gameplay, while others won’t even run the game you want to play. Most gaming emulators are personal projects that attract other developers. The projects rely on the input, development, and programming skills of volunteers.
While there are several PlayStation 2 emulators available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, the most popular option is PCSX2, which is an open-source PlayStation 2 emulator. You can run PCSX2 on Windows, macOS, or Linux, making it a handy option for almost every user.
The PCSX2 team continues working on the emulator, issuing frequent updates that fix bugs, make performance tweaks, and ensure you can play through an entire PlayStation 2 game without fault. While this tutorial uses the latest stable version of PCSX2, the developer’s version page features the latest updates.
You should also keep in mind that most emulators are console specific. You cannot fire up the GameCube’s Super Smash Bros. on the PCSX2 PlayStation 2 emulator. Surprisingly, you CAN use PCSX2 to play your old PlayStation 1 games, although there are numerous PlayStation 1 emulators that handle performance and gameplay better.
How to Install PCSX2
The following tutorial uses Windows 10, but the PCSX2 installation and configuration are similar for macOS and Linux. First thing first: head to the PCSX2 website, then download and install the latest stable version of the emulator.
Download: PCSX2 for Windows | macOS | Linux (Free)
Once your download completes, install PCSX2.
When you meet the PCSX2 First Time Configuration screen, select your language, then continue. You’ll meet a window with multiple dropdown menus, like so:
These are PCSX2 system configuration plugins. Ignore these for now. Fiddling with the plugins can cause stability and performance issues unless you know what the setting does. It does illustrate the extensive range of customization options available to PCSX2. Select Next and continue to the BIOS configuration page.
How to Configure the PCSX2 BIOS
You now need to configure your PlayStation 2 BIOS in PCSX2. The PS2 BIOS file dictates which PS2 games you can play. There are several geographical regions, including North America, Latin America, Japan, Europe, Africa, and so on.
Disclaimer: While there are PS2 BIOS files online, the only legal method of obtaining BIOS files is to rip the BIOS from your existing PS2. The program to do so is located on the PCSX2 website. Use the link provided at your own risk.
BIOS files for the PS2 range from nation to nation, year to year, console manufacturing date, console updates, and more. However, you only need the PS2 BIOS from your PS2 to get started.
Ps3 Emulator Mac
Once you rip your PS2 BIOS files, copy and paste the archive to the following directory: C:Users[User Name]DocumentsPCSX2bios. This is the default directory for your BIOS files. To change this directory to one of your choosing, uncheck the Use default setting option and select your directory.
Once the archive finishes copying, extract the archive contents into the BIOS folder. Right-click the archive, then select your ZIP program and extract. Unsure what an archive and a ZIP program are? Read our guide to extracting files How to Extract Files From ZIP, RAR, 7z and Other Common ArchivesWere you ever faced with a .rar file and wondered how to open it? Fortunately, managing ZIP files and other compressed archives is simple with the right tools. Here is what you need to know. Read More from common archives, then continue with this tutorial.
The PCSX2 emulator will only recognize BIOS files directly in the BIOS folder, not within another folder. Make sure you copy the contents of each archive into the root bios folder directly. Once you finish copying your BIOS files, select Refresh list in the BIOS configuration window.
Select the BIOS from your PlayStation 2, then select Finish.
How to Configure Controllers in PCSX2
Before firing up your favorite PS2 game, you should configure your controller. Head to Config > Controllers (PAD) > Plugin Settings. There are three controller settings tabs. The first tab, General, is an overview of universal controller settings for PCSX2. The other tabs allow you to change the controller inputs manually.
PCSX2 recognizes a decent range of controllers automatically. I have a wired Xbox 360 controller plugged in, and PCSX2 mapped the controller inputs automatically.
If you want to clear the controller inputs, select Pad 1, then Clear All. You’re then free to map the controller as you see fit.
How to Play a PlayStation 2 Game Using PCSX2
Now that PCSX2 is ready, you can play your PS2 games. PlayStation 2 ISOs are freely available online. However, MakeUseOf cannot help you find them. Downloading ROMs or ISOs for video games that you do not own is piracy.
You can make ISOs from your old PS2 games the same way you might rip a DVD to your computer, but the output file must be an ISO, otherwise it won’t load in PCSX2.
Once you have your PS2 game ISO file, you can fire it up in PCSX2. Head to CDVD > Iso Selector > Browse, then locate your PS2 game. If you have a library of PS2 games, it is best to copy them all into a single directory for easy access.
Then, head to System > Boot CDVD (Full). Your PS2 game should boot, barring a corrupt ISO file.
How to Play a PS2 Game from the Disc in PCSX2
You can also boot your PlayStation 2 games direct from the disc in PCSX2. I have found this method more unstable than booting a PS2 ISO file within PCSX2, but it is a handy option.
First up, put the PS2 game disc in your disc drive. Now, in PCSX2, head to Config > Plugin/BIOS Selector and select Plugins from the options. Locate CDVD > Configure, then select the correct drive letter for your disc drive.
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Now, select System > Boot CDVD (Fast).
How to Configure PCSX2 Graphics Settings
One of the best things about booting up PS2 games on your PC is the extensive range of graphic options to choose from. There are several third-party PCSX2 graphics plugins to choose from, while the default GS plugin works well to enhance the overall quality of your game.
To access the PCSX2 plugins options, head to Config > Plugin/BIOS Selector and select Plugins from the options. The component selection page allows you to configure each plugin the emulator uses. These plugin options may seem overwhelming to begin with, but they are easy to configure, and it is simple to switch back if you don’t like the changes.
With extensive tweaking, you can even play certain PS2 games on PCSX2 in 4K.
Playstation Games On Mac Emulator Free
Other Emulators Worth Checking Out
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The PlayStation 2 era was truly amazing. PS2 games have innovative gameplay, immersive stories, impressive graphics, and even multiplayer experiences.
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However, the PS2 isn’t the only console worth emulating. There are similar projects available for almost all of the major consoles, bar the latest hardware.
Playstation Games On Mac Emulator Pc
So here are the best Nintendo 64 emulators The Best Nintendo 64 Emulators for Phones, PCs, and BrowsersThe new Nintendo Switch has the gaming world buzzing. While you wait for the Switch to come to your living room, why not go revisit some of the best Nintendo 64 emulators! Read More and how to emulate a Commodore Amiga on your PC How to Emulate a Commodore Amiga on Your PCWant to emulate one of the classic 16-bit consoles, the Commodore Amiga? Here's how to do it on any system! Read More .