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docs: Update XBSX2 guide #48

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174 changes: 88 additions & 86 deletions docs/emulation/xbsx2-guide.mdx
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
---
sidebar_position: 11
title: XBSX2 PS2 Emulator Setup Guide
description: Complete guide for installing and setting up XBSX2 PS2 emulator on Xbox Series X/S
description: Complete guide for installing and setting up XBSX2 PS2 emulator on Xbox Developer Mode
tags:
- emulation
- ps2
Expand All @@ -16,14 +16,7 @@ import AtAGlance from '@site/src/components/AtAGlance';

# XBSX2 Setup Guide

What is XBSX2?

XBSX2 is an emulator that allows you to play PlayStation 2 (PS2) games on your Xbox Series X|S, taking advantage of the hardware to provide smooth gameplay with features such as:

- Higher resolutions (up to 4K)
- HD texture packs
- 60fps patches
- Multiplayer (local and online)
XBSX2 is a standalone UWP port of the PCSX2 PlayStation 2 emulator for Xbox Developer Mode on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

<AtAGlance
title="XBSX2 (PS2)"
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -52,134 +45,143 @@ XBSX2 is an emulator that allows you to play PlayStation 2 (PS2) games on your X

## Requirements Checklist

### Xbox Series X|S
Make sure you have an Xbox Series X or Series S. Note: Xbox One can run some PS2 games, but it's not powerful enough for most of them.
### Xbox Console
An Xbox Series X or Series S is recommended. (The Xbox One can run some lighter 2D titles, but struggles with most 3D PS2 games).

### External USB Drive (Optional but Highly Recommended)
You will need a properly formatted USB drive to store the BIOS, games and other files. The USB drive must be formatted in NTFS and have the correct permissions - see the [Xbox Developer Mode Setup](/docs/xbox-setup/xbox-developer-mode-setup) guide. We recommend using an external SSD for smoother performance when using HD textures or large games.
### External USB Drive (Recommended)
A USB drive formatted as NTFS with `ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES` permissions applied. See the [USB Setup section in Developer Mode Setup](/docs/xbox-setup/xbox-developer-mode-setup#setting-up-usb-drive-for-emulation).

### Developer Mode on Xbox
To run homebrew applications such as XBSX2, you need to enable Developer Mode. This allows you to install applications that aren't available from the Microsoft Store. If you haven't enabled Developer Mode yet, don't worry - we've got you covered here.
Your Xbox must be activated in Developer Mode. If you haven't set this up yet, check the [Xbox Developer Mode Setup](/docs/xbox-setup/xbox-developer-mode-setup) guide.

### PS2 BIOS & Games
- **BIOS:** A legally dumped PS2 BIOS from a console you own.
- **Games:** Clean PS2 dumps in `.iso`, `.chd`, `.cso`, or `.bin`/`.cue` format (`.chd` is recommended for compressed storage).

---

## Setting up XBSX2 on Xbox

### Download the Necessary Files

On your computer, use one of the following sources:

1. **Emulation Revival Store (recommended):** Go to [XBSX2 on Emulation Revival Store](https://emulationrevival.github.io/xbox-dev-mode/emulators.html#xbsx2), pick the correct build for your console (Series vs One), and click **Download**.
2. **GitHub (alternative):** Use the [latest XBSX2 release](https://github.com/XboxEmulationHub/XBSX2/releases/latest).
Download the build that matches your console generation:

Pick the **`msixbundle`** that matches your console. Releases ship two builds (**AVX2 for Xbox Series** and **SSE4 for Xbox One**). Using the wrong one can crash or perform poorly.
1. **Emulation Revival Store (Recommended):** Go to [XBSX2 on Emulation Revival Store](https://emulationrevival.github.io/xbox-dev-mode/emulators.html#xbsx2), pick your build, and click **Download**:
- **AVX2:** For **Xbox Series X|S** (faster performance).
- **SSE4:** For **Xbox One / One S / One X** (legacy CPU compatibility).
2. **GitHub Releases (Alternative):** Check the [XboxEmulationHub/XBSX2 releases](https://github.com/XboxEmulationHub/XBSX2/releases/latest).

Download only that **`msixbundle`**. Recent Xbox Emulation Hub releases do **not** ship separate dependency `.appx` files - the bundle you select is sufficient for Device Portal sideload.
### Transfer and Install via Xbox Device Portal

### Transfer the Files to Xbox
1. On your Xbox, open **Dev Home** and locate your console's IP address under **Remote Access** (e.g. `https://192.168.x.x:11443`).
2. On your PC, open a web browser and navigate to that address.
3. In Device Portal, go to **My Games & Apps** > click **Add**.
4. Click **Choose File**, select your **`*.msixbundle`**, click **Next**, then **Start**.
5. Wait for the upload and installation to complete.

In order to install XBSX2 on your Xbox, you'll need to use the Xbox Device Portal on your computer.
### Set App Type to Game

1. Go to Xbox Dev Mode on your Xbox. Look for the IP Address of your Xbox on the Developer Home Screen (it looks like 192.168.x.x/10.0.x.x).
2. On your PC, open a web browser and enter the Xbox IP address in the URL bar. This opens the Xbox Device Portal.
3. Sign in using your Xbox Developer credentials.
Once installed, return to the **Dev Home** screen on your Xbox:

### Upload XBSX2
1. Highlight **XBSX2** and press the **View** button.
2. Select **View details**.
3. Change the **App type** dropdown from **App** to **Game**.
4. Press **B** to exit.

In the Device Portal, go to **My Games & Apps** - **Add** - **Choose File**, select your **`*.msixbundle`**, click **Next**, then **Start**. If GitHub/release notes describe extra packages, add them too. Typical XEH builds are bundle-only.
:::warning
Do not skip setting the App Type to **Game**. In "App" mode, the console restricts CPU, GPU, and RAM access, which causes heavy stuttering and performance drops.
:::

**Troubleshooting:** If installation stalls, refresh Device Portal and try again.
---

## Setting Up BIOS Files

A BIOS file is a core system file for running PS2 games. You'll need to legally obtain a PS2 BIOS from a PlayStation 2 console you own.

### Getting Your PS2 BIOS File
XBSX2 requires a legally-obtained PS2 BIOS, which must be **dumped from a PlayStation 2 you own** emulators cannot provide this due to copyright. For official guidance on dumping and using a BIOS, see the PCSX2 setup documentation:
https://pcsx2.net/docs/setup/bios
XBSX2 requires a PS2 BIOS dumped from a PlayStation 2 console you own. For official guidance on dumping a BIOS, see the [PCSX2 BIOS Setup Guide](https://pcsx2.net/docs/setup/bios).

### Option 1: Using a USB drive
### Option 1: Using a USB Drive (Recommended)

1. Format your USB drive to NTFS and apply permissions. Click here if you don't know how to do this.
2. Create a folder named XBSX2 on the USB drive.
3. Inside that folder, create another folder called BIOS.
4. Copy the PS2 BIOS file to the BIOS folder on your USB drive.
1. Format your USB drive to NTFS and apply permissions following the [USB Setup Guide](/docs/xbox-setup/xbox-developer-mode-setup#setting-up-usb-drive-for-emulation).
2. Create an `XBSX2` folder on the USB drive.
3. Inside `XBSX2`, create a folder named `bios`.
4. Copy your dumped PS2 BIOS files (`.bin`, `.rom0`, `.rom1`, etc.) into the `bios` folder.

![BIOS Setup](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidebios.png)

5. Make sure your BIOS should be like in the Picture.
### Option 2: Internal Storage

![BIOS Selection](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidebios2.png)
If you aren't using a USB drive, upload your BIOS files using the Device Portal:

### Option 2: Internal storage
1. Go to **Device Portal** > **File Explorer** > `LocalAppData\XBSX2\LocalState\`.
2. Create a `bios` folder (if it doesn't already exist).
3. Upload your BIOS files into this folder.

Upload the PS2 BIOS file using the Xbox Device Portal:
### Configure BIOS in XBSX2

1. Go to Dev Portal > File Explorer > LocalAppData > XBSX2 > LocalState
2. Create a BIOS folder (if it doesn't already exist).
3. Copy the BIOS files into this folder.

### Configure BIOS on Xbox

1. Plug the USB drive into your Xbox.
2. Open XBSX2 on the Xbox.
3. Navigate to Settings > BIOS Directory.
4. Point the BIOS directory to the BIOS folder on your USB drive or internal storage.
5. Once You've done BIOS Part then Click BIOS Selection to see if your BIOS show up like this:
1. Plug the USB drive into your Xbox and open **XBSX2**.
2. Navigate to **Settings** > **BIOS Settings**.
3. Select **Change Search Directory** and point it to your BIOS folder (`E:\XBSX2\bios`).
4. Click **BIOS Selection** to make sure your BIOS is detected:

![BIOS Selection Screen](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidebios2.png)

:::note
If your BIOS does not show up then you need to redump your BIOS.
If no BIOS appears in the list, verify that your USB drive has `ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES` NTFS permissions set, or check that your BIOS dump is valid.
:::

## Adding PS2 Games
---

You need to legally dump your PS2 games. If you have physical PS2 discs, you can use a tool like ImgBurn on a PC to convert them into ISO files. Your ROMs should be ISO, BIN/CUE, or CHD files.
## Adding PS2 Games

### Option 1: Transfer Games via USB
### Option 1: Transfer Games via USB (Recommended)

1. On your USB drive, create a folder named Games.
2. Inside the Games folder, create another folder called PlayStation 2.
3. Copy your PS2 game ISOs into the PlayStation 2 folder.
1. On your USB drive, inside the `XBSX2` folder (or at the root of your drive), create a `Games` folder.
2. Copy your PS2 game files (`.iso`, `.chd`, `.cso`, or `.bin`/`.cue`) into the `Games` folder.

![Game Folder Structure](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidegames.png)

### Option 2: Upload Games to Internal Storage

Use the Xbox Device Portal to upload games:
1. In Device Portal, go to **File Explorer** > `LocalAppData\XBSX2\LocalState\`.
2. Create a folder named `Games`.
3. Upload your game files (`.iso`, `.chd`, etc.) into this directory.

1. Go to Dev Portal > File Explorer > DevelopmentFiles > WindowsApps > XBSX2.
2. Create a folder named Games in this directory.
3. Upload the ROMs as .ISO, BIN/CUE, or CHD files.
### Configure Games Directory in XBSX2

You can upload them as .zip files, and the Dev Portal will prompt you to unzip them automatically.
1. Open **XBSX2** on your Xbox.
2. Go to **Games List** > **Game Directories** tab.
3. Select **Add Directory** and point it to your `Games` folder (e.g. `E:\XBSX2\Games`).
4. Your games will now appear in the main library.

### Configure Games Directory on Xbox
### Cover Art (Optional)

1. Open XBSX2 on your Xbox.
2. Go to Games List > Games Directory Tab.
3. Point the games directory to the PlayStation 2 folder on your USB drive or the Games folder in internal storage.
To show custom box art in the game grid:
1. Save cover images as `.jpg` or `.png` files named after the game's serial code (e.g. `SLUS-20946.jpg`).
2. Place them into `E:\XBSX2\Covers\`.

## Configuring Memory Cards
![Cover Art Setup](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidecovers.png)

To save your games in XBSX2, you need virtual memory cards.
---

### Option 1: USB Memory Cards
## Configuring Memory Cards

1. On your USB drive, go to the XBSX2 folder.
2. Create a folder named MemoryCards.
XBSX2 supports both standard 8MB memory card files and dynamic folder-based memory cards.

### Option 2: Internal Storage Memory Cards
### Setup Memory Cards Folder

Using the Xbox Device Portal, go to Dev portal > File explorer > LocalAppData > XBSX2 > LocalState.
Create a MemoryCards folder (if it doesn't exist).
- **USB Drive:** Create a `memcards` folder inside `E:\XBSX2\`.
- **Internal Storage:** Create a `memcards` folder inside `LocalAppData\XBSX2\LocalState\`.

### Set Up Memory Cards in XBSX2
### Configure in XBSX2

1. Open XBSX2 on your Xbox.
2. Navigate to Settings > Memory Card Settings.
3. Set Slot 1 to use the MemoryCards folder on your USB drive or internal storage.
1. Open **XBSX2** and go to **Settings** > **Memory Card Settings**.
2. Set your directory path to your `memcards` folder.
3. Set **Slot 1** to an existing card or create a new memory card.

**Tip:** Use folder-based memory cards so you never run out of save space.
:::tip
Use **Folder Memory Cards** instead of standard 8MB files so you never run out of save space.
:::

---

## Controller Setup

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -208,7 +210,7 @@ Enable the Multitap setting if you plan on using more than 2 controllers.

Find cheats for your desired games. Recommended websites:

- Emulation Collective Discord
- Xbox Emulation Hub Discord
- Revives Community Server Discord
- Gamehacking.org
- PCSX2 forums
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -302,15 +304,15 @@ Once ready, the files should be in a folder named after the game's SLUS/SLES cod
### Option 1: Add Textures via USB

1. On your USB drive, go to the XBSX2 folder.
2. Create a subfolder named Textures.
3. Inside the Textures folder, add the folder with the game's SLUS/SLES code.
2. Create a subfolder named textures.
3. Inside the textures folder, add the folder with the game's SLUS/SLES code.

![Texture Packs Structure](/img/XBSX2/ps2guidetextures.png)

### Option 2: Upload Textures to Internal Storage

Use the Xbox Device Portal to upload the texture files.
Go to Dev Portal > File Explorer > LocalAppData > XBSX2 > LocalState > Textures.
Go to Dev Portal > File Explorer > LocalAppData > XBSX2 > LocalState > textures.
Upload the game-specific texture folder here.

### Enable HD Textures in XBSX2
Expand Down