PS5 can now run original PS2 discs, but only with a major catch
The PlayStation 5 may officially support PS4 backward compatibility, but fans have long wanted something more ambitious: the ability to insert an original PlayStation 2 disc and play it directly on modern hardware. Now, a homebrew breakthrough has brought that idea much closer to reality.
A developer known as Sword has updated the PS5SX2 emulator so that a modified PS5 can read original PS2 DVDs through the console’s built-in disc drive. In other words, certain physical PlayStation 2 games can now be used on a PlayStation 5, even though Sony does not officially support PS2 disc playback on the system.
PS5SX2 is based on PCSX2, the popular PlayStation 2 emulator for PC, but adapted to run on PS5 hardware. The latest update adds support for reading PS2 DVD games from the PS5’s disc drive. The process is not quite as simple as inserting a game and instantly playing it, though. First, the PS2 disc has to be read and converted into a digital copy. After that, inserting the disc again can allow the game to launch through the emulator.
For fans of classic PlayStation games, this is a major development. The PS2 remains one of the best-selling consoles of all time, with a huge library that includes legendary titles across action, racing, role-playing, horror, sports, and platforming genres. Being able to use original PS2 DVDs on a PS5 could make it much easier for collectors to revisit their libraries without relying only on older hardware.
The emulator also goes beyond basic playback. PS5SX2 can reportedly offer visual improvements such as higher internal resolutions, 4K output, widescreen patches, and frame-rate patches for supported games. Some titles may be able to run at up to six times their original internal resolution, making them look much sharper on modern displays. Recent updates have also added graphics filters designed to recreate the appearance of old CRT televisions, giving players the option to preserve a more nostalgic look.
However, there is a very important limitation: this only works on a jailbroken PS5.
A standard, unmodified PlayStation 5 cannot install or run PS5SX2. Jailbreaking removes some of Sony’s software restrictions and allows unofficial programs to be installed, but it also comes with serious risks. Users may encounter system instability, software problems, warranty issues, and possible bans from PlayStation Network. For most players, especially those who use their PS5 online, that is a major downside.
There is also a disc format limitation. The PS5 disc drive can read DVDs, but it cannot read CDs. That matters because not every PS2 game was released on DVD. Some early PlayStation 2 titles were distributed on CD, and those games are not supported through the PS5’s internal drive. This means the new feature is exciting, but it does not make the entire PS2 physical library playable on PS5.
External USB disc drives are also being tested, but that support is still considered experimental. The emulator is actively being developed, with recent improvements including faster startup times, bug fixes, visual filter options, and broader compatibility work. Version 2.03 was released for free in October, showing that the project is moving quickly.
The reaction from the PlayStation community has been enthusiastic. Many players have praised the developer for achieving something that Sony has never officially offered on PS5. The update has also reignited criticism of Sony’s backward compatibility strategy. Some fans argue that the company should do more to support classic PlayStation discs instead of relying primarily on digital re-releases, remasters, or subscription-based access to older games.
The conversation has also turned toward PlayStation 3 support. When one user suggested they would jailbreak a PS5 immediately if it could also run PS3 discs, the developer responded that it would happen. That has sparked speculation that PS3 disc support could eventually become possible on modified PS5 consoles. However, PS3 emulation is much more complicated than PS2 emulation, and current experimental PS3 emulator work on PS5 does not yet support direct disc playback.
For now, the biggest news is that original PS2 DVDs can be read and played on a modified PS5 using PS5SX2. It is not an official feature, it is not available on regular PS5 consoles, and it comes with real risks. Still, it is an impressive milestone for preservation, emulation, and retro gaming fans.
The dream of putting an old PS2 disc into a modern PlayStation console and playing it with improved visuals is no longer just wishful thinking. It is already happening, even if only for those willing to step into the world of homebrew.
