PS2 Reasonably priced PS2 Slim upgrades for the modern day (2025)

[KingCarnage]

I had a PS2 slim collecting dust for the past half decade and decided to at least mod it to some capacity last year and it spiraled into a whole project. I've looked into a lot of stuff and here is my journey to find reasonably priced accessory upgrades.

Controllers:
Wired:
For wired controllers it's basically just the original Dualshock 2 if it's wired. Unless it's a game specific controller like Guitar Hero controllers and dance pads there's basically no real reason to not use the DS2 as it supports 99% of the PS2 catalogue especially with those games with pesky pressure sensitive button support. Sadly it's getting harder and harder to find in good condition but I managed to snag two in nasty condition for under $10 and just refurbished them to work like new, one of them had an issue where it disconnected when the game vibrates the controller but I fixed it with a putting a 10 ohm resistor on the vibration motor, the other one was just dirty as hell so I gave it a deep clean. Which leads to our modern wireless options.

Wireless:
For wireless options there's a couple of choices,
First off a special mention to the Logitech Cordless Action controller basically has feature parity with the Dualshock 2 but it's harder to find.

The next options are wireless adapters for modern bluetooth controllers, which are the 8BitDo Retro Receiver, BlueRetro and Brook Wingman PS2. ($24.99, $30 and $49 respectively)

These adapters has support for most modern controllers like the Dualshock 3/4, Dualsense, and Xbox controllers so you won't need to buy new controller. The 8BitDo adapter is missing pressure sensitive button support for the DS3 but it's one of the cheaper options. Brook and BlueRetro is feature complete and has wide compatibility but the Brook is much more expensive and BlueRetro using an open source firmware.

As for standalone options the only one I've seen so far is the Retro Fighters Defender. There are two versions, one which has Sixaxis and bluetooth, and one that doesn't have those both only having a dongle. ($50)

Video Adapters:
As for video options there is a load of options from multiple companies but most of them do the same thing which is just being a passthrough for RGB/ YPbPr just in different flavors of quality and price. So with that I would just list the two I have personally used.

PS2 to HDMI is frankly an okay option for around $5 but it's just a straight up YPbPr passthru to your tv. If your tv does not support 480i or lower resolutions then this is not an option as it only outputs what the PS2 can. And if your tv does support those resolutions you will be at the mercy of your tv's deinterlacer on how much input lag it adds.
A minor issue for me is the mini usb port bumps with the power cable on the PS2 slim which is the reason I swapped to another option as I didn't want to damage my power port.

The adapter I'm currently using is the Mcbazel Multifunctional RGBs/YPBPR to HDMI Adapter for PS1/PS2 (Price dependent on region, personally got it at around $17 converted from a local ecommerce site but I saw it listed on Amazon for under $10 when it was in stock) which works fine for my use case but I can see how quality purists will just give this a pass.

It has a 16:9/4:3 and RGB/YPbPr switch which lets me fiddle with GSM through OPL easier without fiddling with my tv settings to force resolutions. Plus it works on the PS1 as well so if I ever convert my PS2 with MechaCon then I have no issues playing PS1 games. But when the games output 480i it's definitely not running any deinterlacing which is fine for me but I know some people are a stickler for that.

I know about the scalers and all that but I don't think I can integrate it into my setup, the amount of cables I'm gonna have to deal with frankly feels like too much so I'd rather have zero fuss at reduced quality over the best possible quality with more mess in cables.

Memory Cards:
To be honest there is only one option which is the PSXMemCard Gen2 ($40 on Amazon but significantly less on Aliexpress at around $20, I got mine at a local ecommerce site for like $30~ish). Since it's a memory card emulator device it's basically a FreeMcboot card, with MMCE protocol you can run games directly on it making the MX4SIO a redundant option. It loads games faster than the usb port on the PS2 as well so there's no FMV stutter on models until the 70k serial. GameID also works stellar where it detects which game you are playing and automatically makes a virtual memory card for that game specifically on the fly. An all in one package that has stellar value. There is also the MemCard Pro 2 (does all of the above plus wifi connectivity for remote control for swapping vmcs) but it's always out of stock and much more expensive(~£40 or ~$65 on Stone Age Gamer) than the PSXMemCard Gen 2.

(Since this is based on an open source project (SD2PSX) there may be other manufacturers like Kaico that makes same product function wise, I just chose this as this is what I acutally own.)

Bonus:

Got this vinyl sticker to add a bit of personalization. Waifus makes you perform better in games.

I'm also considering on getting a BlueRetro adapter and Fantech Nova WGP14 since it's PS3 mode has pressure sensitive button support, but it isn't on the compatibility list so it's a gamble. I'll update if it works if I ever get it, if it doesn't then at least I have a PS3 controller to use and just use my DS3 on my PS2.

If you know some more accessories to avoid or recommend it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers for reading the ramblings of someone who spent way to much time researching on what to buy for an console that made his childhood.

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

This is a great breakdown. I’ve been slowly upgrading my own PS2 Slim setup and your notes helped me rethink a few things. Totally agree on the DualShock 2 being the gold standard for wired play, especially with pressure sensitivity. I’ve had mixed luck finding clean ones, so refurb tips like the resistor fix are super helpful.

For wireless, I’ve been leaning toward the BlueRetro adapter too. The open-source firmware and wide compatibility make it tempting, even if it’s a bit pricier than 8BitDo. Curious to hear how the Fantech Nova WGP14 gamble pans out. Pressure sensitivity is such a make-or-break feature for some games.

Video-wise, I’ve been using a cheap PS2 to HDMI adapter and yeah, the deinterlacing lag is real. That Mcbazel one sounds like a solid middle ground, especially with the RGB/YPbPr switch. Might give that a shot. If you ever want to go deeper into video quality without going full scaler, the RAD2x or RetroTINK 2X Mini are worth keeping an eye on. They’re pricier but plug-and-play with great results.

The PSXMemCard Gen2 sounds like a game-changer. I’ve been using FreeMcBoot with USB loading, but the FMV stutter drives me nuts. The auto-vmc feature is slick. If you’re into modding further, pairing it with a network adapter and HDD for fat models or SD card via MX4SIO for slim can give you even more flexibility, though PSXMemCard already covers a lot.

Also, if you’re into aesthetics, check out retro-style controller shells or LED mods for the Slim. They’re not essential but they add a nice touch if you’re already deep into the project.

Thanks again for sharing all this. If I come across any other accessories worth checking out or avoiding, I’ll drop them here. Always cool to see people keeping the PS2 alive in 2025.

 

[KingCarnage]

The PSXMemCard Gen2 sounds like a game-changer. I’ve been using FreeMcBoot with USB loading, but the FMV stutter drives me nuts. The auto-vmc feature is slick. If you’re into modding further, pairing it with a network adapter and HDD for fat models or SD card via MX4SIO for slim can give you even more flexibility, though PSXMemCard already covers a lot.

The PSXMemCard Gen2 has an RP2040 chip that handles I/O so that it loads games faster that the MX4SIO which just relies on the PS2 which creates bottlenecks on speed. So you don't really need the MX4SIO if you have this. For fat models it's still better to use the hard drive slot but the memory card features in general is pretty useful.

(Image source: https://github.com/rickgaiser/neutrino)
The PSXMemCard Gen2 is based on the open source project SD2PSX as a memory card emulator but it has since expanded with the MMCE protocol to be able to load games.

If you need extra info here are some videos that covers the protocol for loading games.

Here is a review for the basic rundown of the PSXMemCard Gen2

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

The PSXMemCard Gen2 has an RP2040 chip that handles I/O so that it loads games faster that the MX4SIO which just relies on the PS2 which creates bottlenecks on speed. So you don't really need the MX4SIO if you have this. For fat models it's still better to use the hard drive slot but the memory card features in general is pretty useful.View attachment 116588
(Image source: https://github.com/rickgaiser/neutrino)
The PSXMemCard Gen2 is based on the open source project SD2PSX as a memory card emulator but it has since expanded with the MMCE protocol to be able to load games.

If you need extra info here are some videos that covers the protocol for loading games.

Here is a review for the basic rundown of the PSXMemCard Gen2

The RP2040 chip in the PSXMemCard Gen2 definitely gives it an edge over MX4SIO in terms of speed, especially for slim models. Since it handles I/O independently, it avoids the bottlenecks that come from relying on the PS2’s native hardware. For fat models, using the HDD slot with a network adapter is still the best option for speed and capacity, especially if paired with a SATA mod.

If you're looking to expand the setup further, consider adding a BlueRetro adapter for wireless controller support with pressure sensitivity. It works well with DualShock 3 and 4, and even Xbox controllers depending on the firmware. For video, the RAD2x or RetroTINK 2X Mini are solid upgrades if you're aiming for better image quality without dealing with full scaler setups.

Also worth checking out: the OpenTuna project as an alternative FreeMcBoot loader, especially for slim models without a modchip. It’s compatible with PSXMemCard Gen2 and gives you more flexibility with boot methods.

 

[KingCarnage]

Also worth checking out: the OpenTuna project as an alternative FreeMcBoot loader, especially for slim models without a modchip. It’s compatible with PSXMemCard Gen2 and gives you more flexibility with boot methods.

I have FreeMcBoot, OpenTuna and NHDDL setup as boot cards on my PSXMemCard Gen 2 with NHDDL being my current primary launcher. Pretty nice to have options and having something to test other PS2 models if the situation ever arises.

For video, the RAD2x or RetroTINK 2X Mini are solid upgrades if you're aiming for better image quality without dealing with full scaler setups.

Been eyeing the RAD2x for a while but shipping isn't available in my area. For RetroTINK I just looked at how much the shipping is and it's kinda painful for my area + customs fees make it unfeasible, still thanks for the recommendations. The ODV-GBS-C and RetroScaler 2x is available locally for me though and I'm eyeing for those now if I ever fell the need for higher picture quality.

Mcbazel one sounds like a solid middle ground, especially with the RGB/YPbPr switch. Might give that a shot.

I slipped my mind to reply to this earlier. I've only seen one review on YouTube and it's japanese only but auto translated subs was able to get the point across for me.

If you don't think the YPbPr signal makes a difference then I think the old version of this adapter would be a fine alternative.

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

I have FreeMcBoot, OpenTuna and NHDDL setup as boot cards on my PSXMemCard Gen 2 with NHDDL being my current primary launcher. Pretty nice to have options and having something to test other PS2 models if the situation ever arises.

Been eyeing the RAD2x for a while but shipping isn't available in my area. For RetroTINK I just looked at how much the shipping is and it's kinda painful for my area + customs fees make it unfeasible, still thanks for the recommendations. The ODV-GBS-C and RetroScaler 2x is available locally for me though and I'm eyeing for those now if I ever fell the need for higher picture quality.

I slipped my mind to reply to this earlier. I've only seen one review on YouTube and it's japanese only but auto translated subs was able to get the point across for me.

If you don't think the YPbPr signal makes a difference then I think the old version of this adapter would be a fine alternative.

Good to know the ODV-GBS-C and RetroScaler 2x are available locally. That definitely makes things easier when shipping and customs are a pain. Both are solid choices if you're looking to clean up the signal without going full scaler. I’ve seen decent results from the RetroScaler 2x in particular, especially when paired with good cables.

As for the Mcbazel adapter, yeah, the RGB/YPbPr switch gives it some nice flexibility depending on your setup. That Japanese review helped me get a better sense of its performance too. Even with auto-translated subs, it was surprisingly clear. If YPbPr isn’t a priority for you, the older version should still hold up fine, especially for basic use.

Appreciate the follow-up. Always good to hear what’s working for others in different regions. Let me know how those options pan out if you end up grabbing one.

 

[qw90700]

OPL is improved since a few years so it has no USB speed issue anymore, and USB is even faster in the last few PS2 models. If speed is an issue you may connect LAN cable to your PS2 to play games that are on your Windows PC via SMB.

What to warn is for FMCBOOT better use original PS2 Memory Card because they have what is needed and durable, and then better only use that memory card for booting and completely use virtual memory card file for saving because every time a memory card being used its chance to stop working increases. In that regard for example I have 2 FMCBOOT memory card and one of them is backup to recover the other in case one of them stops working anymore so I won't have to buy another FMCBOOT memory card.

You may also connect storage device like an SSD for modded boot and playing games via easy and hard ways, so these days you have many options to mod your PS2. You can even put a neon under it, crazy irons around your PS2 and also pointless useless wheels just spinning to make your PS2 look like decorated trucks™©℗®!!!

Pimp my PS2 yo!!! lolol