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Table of Contents
Sony PlayStation 2
includes PSX DVR
Operating Systems (MIPS R5900 “Emotion Engine”)
Blackrhino Debian (first)
a free Debian-based GNU/Linux software distribution
Corporate made, but eventually adapted to KernelLoader. This is the original uploads, as it was adapted originally for the PS2 Linux kit.
https://web.archive.org/web/20080312083725/http://blackrhino.xrhino.com/main.php?page=download
https://web.archive.org/web/20080308075211/http://blackrhino.xrhino.com/main.php?page=howto
Blackrhino Debian (KernelLoader/Independent Live DVD)
the Linux Live DVD for the PlayStation 2
Newer version adapted to be used without the PS2 Linux kit.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/BlackRhino%20Linux%20Distribution/
Bochs (Windows 3.11-98?, FreeDOS, KolibriOS)
I booted into kolibri image with bochs which took ages, but at least it worked to start the tetris
While support is foggy/uncertain for almost everything listed, 3.11 is known to work alright. 95 is too, but it’s not shown.
http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?t=2627
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cS5lYK1pgk (Windows)
https://sourceforge.net/p/bochs/discussion/39592/thread/6822cba8/
Bricks-OS
a microkernel based network distributed operating system
A long dead project, but kernels and compiled releases are still available online. Seems like it may actually have some interesting features available within it. Also available on various other consoles. Capable of 1080i and SVGA with dithering, check the website.
https://github.com/rickgaiser/bricks-os
https://code.google.com/archive/p/bricks-os/
https://web.archive.org/web/20090222060403/http://bricks-os.org/
Console emulation (potential)
Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.
https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Emulators_on_PS2
Atari 2600 – PVCS
Bandai WonderSwan (Color) - WonderStation
Coleco ColecoVision - ColemPS2
NEC TurboGrafx-16 – PS2PCE
Nintendo 64 – DaedalusX64 “belek alpha git”
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/daedalus-x64-ps2-port-early-poc-port-mario-64-runs-20-30-fps-other-issues.27200/ https://www.psx-place.com/threads/n64-emulation-on-ps2-a-discussion-about-a-possible-structure-release-alpha-beta-test.21439/ https://github.com/belek666/daedalus
Nintendo Entertainment System – FCEUltra PS2, FCEU-mmPS2, pNESx, InfoNES, imbNES, rarch
Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Snes9x PS2, SNES Station
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/snes-station-mod-by-pinguinoctis.19025/ https://www.psx-place.com/threads/super-nintendo-snesstation-0-2-4s.10548/
Nintendo Game Boy (Color) – InfoGB, rarch
Nintendo Game Boy Advance – VisualBoy Advance, GPS2kai 3.3test, ReGBA, TempGBA, rarch
Sega Genesis – Pgen, PicoDrive, JVSG SMD Conversor, SMD Vol.17 Constructor, rarch
Sega Master System – PicoDrive MS libretro, PISS PS2, PSMS alt+, PSMS Reloaded
Sony PlayStation 1 – POPStarter, PS2PSXe
plus retroarch others missed
Debian (KernelLoader)
Installation is for experts
Debian 5.0 using Linux 2.6 and KernelLoader. Slow but stable, apparently.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/Debian%205.0/
DOSBox (Windows 1-98?)
It's based on psp port and has working dynamic core.
It can only be assumed that, whatever works on PSP DOSBox will work here.
http://ps2dev.karashome.tk/ (alternative port?)
Emulation Nest
This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the AmigaOS, DOS, and MSX pages.
FreeBSD
To boot the kernel, you will require a special boot disc from SONY
An old port, but still has some potential. Requires RedBoot or the original Kit DVD.
Linux (2020 work)
A much older version 2.6.35.14 kernel from 2010 supports more devices
An attempt of porting 5.x kernel to PS2, with 4.x and 3.x. This also rehosts the 2.6 and 2.2 versions that have superior device support.
Linux (MegaMan’s KernelLoader)
Kernelloader is a bootloader for PS2 Linux and other PS2 operating systems
Custom kernel tool to load various non-official OSes, or just the kernel (2.6) on it’s own.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/Kernelloader/Kernelloader%203.0/
https://web.archive.org/web/20180823085755/https://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/PS2
http://kernelloader.sourceforge.net/tutorial/howtoinstalllinux.html
Linux PlayStation 2 (Sony) + optional 2.4.17 kernel
a kit released by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2002
The official Sony distro for the PS2, based off of Kondara Linux. The loader DVD here is used for Blackrhino (original) below. Apparently, a 2.4.17 kernel is on the playstation2-linux site.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelloader/files/Sony%20Linux%20Toolkit/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWmJ0RH_Feo
https://www.reddit.com/r/ps2/comments/9g8mc3/does_anybody_have_a_iso_or_can_make_one_of_the/
OpenWRT
booting from usb with a custom kernel and custom initrd
Port only found in a single forum thread, so the files may not be out there. Looks to be based off OG sources, however, so may not be an issue.
https://web.archive.org/web/20120429175741/http://forums.ps2dev.org/viewtopic.php?p=86605
PC emulation (potential)
Whether these emulators support operating systems for these computers is unknown; it must be looked into further. Bochs is excluded, as it is known to run OSes. PCs without meaningful OSes are not included.
https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Emulators_on_PS2
Amstrad CPCs – PCPC
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Emulators
Commodore 64 – VICE 2.2, PS2-DC64 2.0
Commodore Amigas – Amiga PS2, UAE retroarch
https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5692
MSXs – ps2fMSX, rarch
Sinclair ZX Spectrums – PS2 DreamSpec, rarch
plus retroarch others missed
Redboot (ECOS Bootloader)
RedBoot is a debug and bootstrap system running on eCos
Apparently doesn’t work.
Stock BIOS
Not much to do here, but it has some options fiddling and such.
Stock BIOS - XMB (PSX)
A lot more to do here. Do not use the Russian-originated translation, only this western firmware.
Internet
“DNS hijack” within broadband setup
Very similar to the method for browsing internet on the Nintendo Switch, just requires some disc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT0IETYWAKI (Old web portal example)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtZeIR8QfDo (Typical example)
EGBrowser
the only official web browser for the PlayStation 2
Released in Japan only, but a ROM with English menus exists.
https://wiki.pcsx2.net/EGBrowser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gYqMWBDq8U
https://forums.afterdawn.com/threads/egbrowser-the-official-ps2-web-browser.627387/
Other
Minecraft PPC Edition
Sony PlayStation 2 and 3 (if you can live with major lag spikes)
This port, normally meant for old PPC macs, can apparently run on the PlayStation 2. No further detail is divulged… certainly it means thru Linux or something similar?
http://macintoshgarden.org/games/minecraft-152
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/minecraft-powerpc-edition-redesigned-for-vintage-macs.2200729/