[TUTORIAL] PS3: playing your PS2 games in 2026 (backward compatible models, webMAN MOD, PS2 Classics)

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[TUTORIAL] PS3: playing your PS2 games in 2026 (backward compatible models, webMAN MOD, PS2 Classics)

Post by Tgames »

Automatically translated from French.

[TUTO] PS3 : jouer à ses jeux PS2 en 2026 (modèles rétrocompatibles, webMAN MOD, PS2 Classics)

Every hacked PS3 runs PS2 games, but not the same way depending on the model: here is how to find out what yours does, and the method in 2026.


Your model changes everything

Look at the number under the console (CECHxxx):
  • CECHA and CECHB (first 60 GB “fat” models): the PS2 chip is present. Compatibility is the best.
  • CECHC and CECHE: the PS2 processor is emulated, its graphics chip is real. Very good compatibility.
  • All the others (later fat models, Slim, Super Slim): nothing of the PS2. Games go through the software emulator of the PlayStation Store's “PS2 Classics”, which is less compatible: many games run, but not all.

What you need

A hacked PS3 (see hacking your PS3 in 2026) and webMAN MOD, whose version 1.47.50 has just been released (10 October 2026): see our webMAN MOD tutorial. And your PS2 games, copied from your discs as uncompressed ISOs.


On a custom firmware (Evilnat)
  1. Copy your ISOs into /dev_hdd0/PS2ISO (internal drive). From an NTFS USB stick or the network, webMAN first copies them to the internal drive when launching.
  2. Name the file with the game ID in parentheses, for example My game (SLES-12345).ISO: webMAN then automatically fetches the settings file (CONFIG) that fixes many games. The option is on webMAN's settings page (/setup.ps3).
  3. Launch the game from webMAN's list, in the console menu.
On backward compatible models, webMAN lets you choose the emulator when mounting: L2 for the original emulator, R2 for the PS2 Classics one. On CECHC/CECHE, additional per-game settings exist (gxemu_custom_configs repository), for Evilnat 4.92.2 or later.


On PS3HEN

PS3HEN does not directly launch a PS2 ISO placed in PS2ISO. You first have to convert it to the PS2 Classics format (.BIN.ENC) with PS2 Classics GUI, multiMAN or Apollo, then launch it through the PS2 Classics Launcher, which webMAN handles. The principle is the same as for a PS2 game bought on the PlayStation Store.


The most common errors
  • The game does not start under HEN: ISO not converted to.BIN.ENC.
  • Black screen or graphical glitches: no CONFIG file for this game; check the ID in the file name.
  • No music: BIN image without its CUE file; only the first track is read.
  • Compressed ISO: not supported, use the raw ISO.
  • The controller does not sync: plug it in via USB when launching the game.
To copy your PS2 discs and dump the BIOS from your PS2, see hacking your PS2; and on PC, PCSX2.


Sources and official guides: webMAN MOD · Folders and formats (webMAN wiki) · PS3HEN · CECHC/CECHE settings

Tgames provides no games, BIOS or keys: only use backups of your own games and your own console. A question? Reply to this topic.
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