Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Short answer: PS5SX2, an unofficial PS2 emulator for jailbroken PS5 consoles, is reported to read physical PS2 games on DVD-format discs through a PS5 optical drive or an external USB optical drive. PS2 games released on CD-ROM are not readable directly through the PS5 drive. Reports also say discs from different regions work, but that regional behavior is not stated as a guarantee in the PS5SX2 project documentation. For disc-free loading, PS5SX2 lists ISO, CHD, CSO and ZSO game images.
At a glance: what works and what does not
| PS2 media or setup | Reported result | How firmly to treat it |
|---|---|---|
| Physical PS2 DVD-ROM game | Reads from the PS5’s built-in optical drive, where present, or from an external USB optical drive. | Reported PS5SX2 behavior, not an official Sony feature. |
| Physical PS2 CD-ROM game | Does not work through the PS5 drive. Sony’s supported-media documentation also lists CD as unsupported. | Clear physical-disc limitation in the available reports. |
| PS2 disc from another region | Tom’s Hardware reports that discs from all regions work. | Reported emulator behavior; the PS5SX2 README does not independently guarantee it. |
| ISO, CHD, CSO or ZSO file | Listed by PS5SX2 as supported game-image formats. | File-based alternatives, not physical disc formats; individual game compatibility still varies. |
| External USB optical drive | Reported as a way to read supported DVD-format discs. | No specific drive model or compatibility list is established. |
The practical dividing line is the disc’s physical format, not whether its label says “PS2.” A DVD-based PS2 title is the type reported to work directly; a CD-based title is not.
Which physical PS2 discs can the PS5 read?
DVD-format PS2 games
Recent coverage of PS5SX2 reports that physical PS2 games mastered on DVD can be inserted into the PS5’s optical drive and used by the emulator. The same report says an external USB optical drive can be used instead of the console’s internal drive. This applies to reading the game disc for the homebrew emulator; it does not mean the PS5 has gained official, built-in PS2 backward compatibility.
If you use an external drive, treat “USB optical drive” as a category rather than a guarantee for every product. No model-by-model compatibility list is established here. A drive that works for ordinary computer discs may still behave differently under the PS5 homebrew stack.
#1 Best Overall
- PLUG AND PLAY FREE MCBOOT PS2 MEMORY CARD- No other installations needed, Free McBoot works as soon as you plug it in your console. Helps you play games in your USB flash drive or external hard disk
- SAVES GAMES AND STORES DATA - PS2 Memory Card saves files and in-game creations
- WORKS WITH MOST PS2 MODELS - Playstation 2 memory card works with any fat and slimline PS2 consoles (except MODEL SCPH-9XXXX with v230 BIOS)
- 64MB STORAGE - Memory card for PS2 with enough storage space for files and games
- RETRO GAMES - Freemcboot memory card PS2 lets you play classic Playstation 2 games
CD-format PS2 games
CD-ROM is the important exception. The report on PS5SX2 says PS2 CD games cannot be read through the PS5 drive because the drive cannot read standard CDs. Sony’s official PS5 media documentation likewise lists CD among unsupported media. Consequently, inserting a CD-based PS2 game is not a reliable path to launching it, whether the title is from the same region as the console or not.
The evidence specifically establishes the limitation for direct physical-disc reading. It does not establish that every CD-origin game is impossible to run in every form: PS5SX2 also supports several image-file formats, and a properly prepared image may avoid the optical-drive step. Whether a particular title then runs is a separate compatibility question.
Internal drive versus USB drive
For DVD-format discs, reports cover both a PS5’s built-in optical drive and an external USB optical drive. The source material does not identify a required USB standard, enclosure, chipset or drive model, so avoid assuming that any particular external unit will work. USB support also does not erase the documented CD limitation; the available reporting confirms DVD use, not universal CD reading through external hardware.
Rank #2
- Drive through the largest GTA environment ever -- The game has three cities players can explore, for a gaming area 5 times larger than Vice City
- Recruit new characters into a street gang and take over by leading drive-by shootings against rivals Steal all-new vehicles, including bicycles
- Improved fighting elements -- smoother hand-to-hand combat, plus the ability to hold a weapon in each hand
- New graphics elements as cars get dirty and even rust, the longer you drive them
- Advanced role-playing elements -- Unlike previous GTA characters, Carl can swim and he needs to eat to survive
Do PS2 discs from another region work?
Tom’s Hardware reports that PS2 discs from all regions work with PS5SX2. That is useful for owners of imported games, but it should be read as a report about observed emulator behavior rather than a universal promise. The PS5SX2 project README reviewed for this article does not itself specify region handling.
Region behavior can therefore be less certain than the DVD-versus-CD distinction. A foreign-region DVD may be accepted while a particular game still fails for an unrelated emulation reason. Test the title you own, and keep the possibility of game-specific issues separate from the question of region.
Using a game image instead of a disc
PS5SX2 lists four supported game-image formats: ISO, CHD, CSO and ZSO. These are files loaded by the emulator, not additional kinds of physical media. They are the practical alternative when a game is CD-based, when an optical drive is unavailable, or when you want to avoid relying on disc reading.
Rank #3
- ISO: listed as a supported image format and commonly used as a direct disc image.
- CHD: listed by the project as a supported image format.
- CSO: listed by the project as a supported image format.
- ZSO: listed by the project as a supported image format.
Use images made from games you own and follow the laws that apply where you live. The PS5SX2 project says it does not bundle game files, BIOS files or keys. A supported extension alone does not ensure that a title will boot: the image must be usable, the required BIOS must be present, and the game itself must be compatible with the current emulator build.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
PCSX2’s FAQ discusses using original discs or dumped ISO/CSO images in a PC context. Its advice should not be treated as a performance guarantee for PS5SX2; it simply provides related background on disc and image workflows.
What you need before trying PS5SX2
The PS5SX2 README identifies these prerequisites:
- A PS5 that is already jailbroken with a firmware and exploit combination you can use.
- The PS5SX2 Helper payload loaded with
kstuff. ShadowMountPlus.- Your own PS2 BIOS.
- Your own PS2 games, supplied either as supported image files or as supported physical DVD-format discs.
The project says development took place on a PS5 Pro running firmware 11.40. It also reports testing on other PS5 models, including a Slim, across firmware 6.02 through 12.70. Those figures describe the project’s reported test coverage, not a promise that every firmware in that range can currently be jailbroken, that every model behaves identically, or that a current retail console can be downgraded.
Rank #4
- UNLIKE ORTHERS, our game storage rack is built BIG — easily fitting XBOX 360, Wii U, PS2, and standard DVD cases. No compromises, no cramming — just perfect fit, every time
- 【Say Goodbye to Clutter】 Keep your games/ DVD neatly organized and easy to locate. One tower can hold up to 46 discs, eliminating the need to sift through stacks of game discs
- 【Excellent Compatibility】 Compatible with PS5, PS4, PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox Series X/S, Wii, Wii U, and Switch/ Switch 2 games, as well as DVD/ Blu-Ray discs. Plus, there are two additional holders for controllers or headphones on both sides
- 【Vertical or Horizontal StackedStackable Design】 Versatile for table, TV stand, or cabinet, place vertically or horizontally. Buy multiples for custom stacking to fit your game disc collection
- 【Stable and Sturdy】 Crafted from high-strength ABS material, our PlayStation game disc holder offers robust and secure support to prevent accidental falls, ensuring reliable and safe protection
PS5SX2 describes itself as a passion project and warns users to “Expect rough edges.” Compatibility work toward the complete PS2 library is ongoing, so a successful disc read is only the first part of getting a game to run correctly.
A sensible setup sequence
The exact exploit and payload procedure depends on the jailbreak environment available for your console. At a high level, the project requirements translate into this order:
- Verify the console first. Record the PS5 model and firmware, then confirm that your existing jailbreak method supports that combination. Do not infer support solely from the project’s 6.02–12.70 test statement.
- Prepare the homebrew components. Load the PS5SX2 Helper payload with
kstuffand makeShadowMountPlusavailable as required by the project. - Supply a BIOS you are entitled to use. PS5SX2 does not provide one. Keep the file in the location and format expected by the build you installed.
- Choose the game source. Use a physical DVD-format PS2 disc in the internal or supported external optical drive, or select an ISO, CHD, CSO or ZSO image. Do not expect a physical CD-ROM game to be read by the PS5 drive.
- Launch and test one title. Start with a game you can identify clearly and note whether the failure occurs during disc detection, image loading, BIOS initialization or gameplay. That distinction makes later troubleshooting much easier.
Because the project is still changing, use the README for the build you actually installed rather than copying steps written for an earlier payload or firmware.
Best Value
- 【Eliminate Game Disc Clutter with Premium Game Storage】Say goodbye to cluttered game discs once and for all. Our 2 pack desktop game disc organizer allows you to arrange discs neatly and access them with ease. Each tower can hold up to 9 game discs, with the entire set accommodating 18 discs, eliminating the hassle of searching through piles of game discs
- 【Ready to Use in Seconds】No tools or complicated assembly required! Simply take your Game case out of the box and start organizing your games and DVDs right away. This instant setup means you can spend less time tidying
- 【Flexible Placement to Fit Various Gaming & Home Spaces】Designed as a sleek Video Game Shelf, This organizer works effortlessly on desks, media consoles, and shelves of most sizes, TV stands, or cabinets, whether placed vertically or horizontally. Its compact, space-saving design makes it ideal for small gaming setups or home theaters, and you can easily combine multiple sets to expand your Game Storage capacity as your collection grows
- 【Durable & Slip-Resistant Protection】This Game Case Holder is built to last. The non-slip base keeps your Video Game Organizer steady on most flat surfaces, protecting your valuable discs from scratches, falls, and dust. It’s the reliable Game Holder that keeps your Video Game Storage safe and organized for years to come
Common failure cases and what they mean
| Symptom | Most relevant explanation | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| The PS5 does not detect the disc | The game may be CD-based, which the PS5 drive does not support. | Confirm the physical disc is a DVD-format PS2 game; otherwise use a legally created image if compatible. |
| A DVD is detected but the game does not boot | Reading the disc and emulating the game are separate stages. PS5SX2 has ongoing library compatibility work. | Try a known-good image or another title, and check the project’s current compatibility notes. |
| An imported DVD fails | The reported all-region behavior is not an unconditional guarantee, and the title may have another compatibility problem. | Test another disc from the same region and compare results with a supported image. |
| An external USB drive does nothing | No universal drive-model support list is established. | Check the project documentation for your build and verify that the disc is DVD-format. |
| An ISO, CHD, CSO or ZSO fails to load | The image may be invalid, the BIOS may be missing or misconfigured, or the game may not yet be compatible. | Recheck the dump, BIOS requirement and build-specific instructions before changing multiple variables. |
| The required payload cannot be loaded | Jailbreak, firmware and model support are separate from PS5SX2’s emulator support. | Verify the exploit environment first; the project’s tested firmware range is not a jailbreak availability guarantee. |
Official PS5 media support is not PS2 compatibility
Sony’s media-support page documents which DVD and Blu-ray media the PS5 can handle and explicitly excludes CD. That page concerns the console’s official media functions; it does not authorize or describe PS2 emulation. PS5SX2 is an independent homebrew port that operates only in a jailbroken environment.
In practical terms, a PS5 being able to read a DVD does not mean the stock system will launch a PS2 DVD game. The reported result comes from PS5SX2 and its supporting payloads, not from a Sony backward-compatibility feature.
Quick Recap
Choosing the right approach
- You have a PS2 DVD and want the simplest test: try the internal optical drive, if your PS5 has one, or a compatible external USB optical drive.
- You have a PS2 CD: skip direct disc insertion; the documented PS5 drive limitation means you need a supported game image instead.
- You own an imported PS2 DVD: it is reportedly usable across regions, but verify the individual title because the regional claim is reported rather than guaranteed.
- You want repeatable loading: use one of the project’s listed image formats and keep your BIOS, game dump and emulator version consistent.
- You need a guaranteed result for a specific game: none is promised. PS5SX2’s compatibility work is ongoing, and the project explicitly cautions users to expect rough edges.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
