How to Import a Save on PCSX2

The PCSX2 emulator allows you to play original, backed-up and homebrew PlayStation 2 games on your computer. PCSX2 users post save files for many titles on gaming websites. These save files let you start the game from a certain level or give your character a stockpile of free items. To use a downloaded PlayStation 2 save file with PCSX2, you first need to import it. The importing process transfers the save file to the PCSX2 virtual memory card so the game can access and load it.

Download PS2 Save Builder from a PCSX2 or PlayStation 2 modding website. Double-click the downloaded EXE file to start installation. Click "Next" and agree to the terms and conditions. Click "OK" to install PS2 Save Builder, and then click "Finish."

Download a PlayStation 2 game save. Several sites offer these, such as GameFAQs and GameShark.

Launch PS2 Save Builder. Click "Open." Browse to the downloaded game save file. Double-click it to open it.

Copy the root/ID number that displays at the top of the window. Right-click the desktop and select New Folder. In the name box, paste the root/ID number.

Highlight the file names in PS2 Save Builder. Click "Extract." Select the folder you created as the extraction destination. Click "Save." Repeat this process if you have other game save files to import. Exit PS2 Save Builder when you finish.

Open a CD burning program. Put the folder containing the extracted save files on a CD, but do not burn the files to the CD. Use the CD-burning program to make an ISO file that contains the folder.

Save the ISO in the folder containing the boot.elf file. Launch PCSX2. Click "Config" and "Graphics." Select any available graphics plug-in, and then click "Configure" and "CPU."

Click the check boxes next to "VU0rec," "EERec" and "VU1rec" to enable these options. Click "Configure" and "Advance." Click "Defaults" and "OK."

Click File. Select Open ELF file and ISO Image. Open the boot.elf file. Click the ISO file you created. A new window opens.

Press the "Circle" button on your PlayStation 2 controller. If you don't have a connected PlayStation 2 controller, press the key that you assigned the "Circle" button to in PCSX2.

Select CDFS. Click "OK." Click the name of the ISO file. Press "X" if you need to select more than one ISO file. Press the "R1" button, and then click "Copy" and "OK."

Press the "Triangle" button. Click either mc0:/ or mc1:/. Click "OK." Press "R1" and click "Paste." The save files import to the PCSX2 memory card.