Play!

Play! is an open-source cross-platform emulator for Sony’s PlayStation 2 that aims to run PS2 games on a wide range of modern systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and web browsers by implementing core PS2 hardware functionality in software. It emulates primary components like the Emotion Engine CPU and graphics synthesizer, translating game code and hardware calls into host system operations, while providing users with controls to load disc images, manage states, and configure rendering options. Because the PS2’s architecture is complex and proprietary, Play! pursues compatibility incrementally, with many titles playable to varying degrees and an active compatibility tracker detailing individual game status. The project supports optimizations such as JIT code generation on compatible platforms to improve performance and offers a broad set of build targets so developers and users can experiment with different back ends and environments.