If you enjoy playing older video games, you are aware of how crucial the BIOS is for running PlayStation 2 (PS2) and PlayStation 1 (PS1) emulators on a computer or mobile device. The BIOS serves as a link between your computer’s hardware and software, enabling your emulator to run your preferred games without a hitch. This guide will show you how to download and install the official PS2 and PS1 BIOS on your device.

What are PS2 and PS1 BIOS?

We know it’s not the most exciting topic for a beginner, but it’s important!

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The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is firmware that boots your operating system and initializes your hardware. The BIOS is crucial to PS2 and PS1 emulation because it makes it possible for your emulator to run games. It includes crucial information about your console’s hardware, including the CPU, GPU, and sound chip as well as information about copyright protection.

Let’s briefly discuss BIOS and why it’s critical for emulation before moving on to the steps.

We know that you’re going to be wanting to play your favorite PS2 and PS1 games on your emulator. But before you can do that, you need the BIOS file. You cannot use your emulator to play PS2 and PS1 games without the BIOS. But since using and downloading BIOS files is illegal, do it at your own risk. Only if you have a physical copy of the console and the game you intend to play should you download and use the BIOS, in our opinion.

How to download the BIOS of PS2 and PS1 legally

download the BIOS of PS2 and PS1 legally

The method that we will follow here is to extract the PS2 and PS1 BIOS from the official PS3 firmware. To do this, you will need a Windows or Linux PC and an Internet connection, as well as download the following:

Once these three files are downloaded to your PC, you are ready to follow the steps shown in the following tutorial.

How to extract PS2 and PS1 BIOS from PlayStation 3 firmware

extract PS2 and PS1 BIOS

If you downloaded the three files that we left you in the links above, congratulations! You already have the BIOS of PlayStation 2 and 1 in your possession, but you need to extract it to be able to use it in emulators. To do this, you just have to do the following:

  • Firstly, open the RPCS3 emulator on your computer. You will need to extract all the contents of the zip file it came in with a tool like 7zip and then double-click on the EXE file named “rpcs3”.
  • In the emulator, select File.
  • Click Install firmware.
  • Select the PS3UPDAT.PUP file (the official PS3 firmware you downloaded). Now all you have to do is wait for the PPU modules to finish compiling.

PS3UPDAT.PUP file

  • Once the firmware installation is complete, close the RPCS3 emulator.
  • Now it’s time to extract the “firmware_bios_claim_release1” file (which is the PS Bios Claim tool we ask you to download earlier).
  • Open the extracted folder and go to the sub-folder that corresponds to your PC (Windows or Linux). There, copy the files firmware_bios_claim.bat and firmware_bios_claim.ps1.

firmware_bios_claim.bat

  • Paste the copied files into the folder where the RPCS3 emulator is.
  • Double-click on the BAT file named ” firmware_bios_claim “.
  • If everything goes well, the BIOS will be extracted and in the command console that opened you will see the final message “Press a key to continue…”. You can now close this window.

“Press a key to continue

  • Now, in the RPCS3 folder there will be the PS2 and PS1 BIOSes (in BIN format) with the following names:
    • ps3_ps1_bios
    • ps3_ps2_emu_bios
    • ps3_ps2_gxemu_bios
    • ps3_ps2_netemu_bios

Download the Official PS2 and PS1 BIOS: Ultimate Guide

Ready! You already have the BIOS for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 1 legally without having the console and without having to download them from unknown websites. If you want to be sure that you have correctly extracted the BIOS, or if you did not manage to extract them, here is the link to download the PS2 and PS1 BIOS extracted by ourselves following this tutorial.

PS2 BIOS taken from PS3 firmware is Japanese region, is that a problem?

If you are already using the BIOS downloaded with the previous method, you will have noticed that it is from the Japanese region. What is this about? All BIOSes of the latest official Sony distributions for the PS3 (firmware 4.89) are from the Japanese region. But don’t worry because there is no noticeable difference between the BIOS region you use to emulate the games, since they are all prepared to run with the BIOS of this region.

How to install PS2 BIOS on Aether SX2 (Android)

install PS2 BIOS on Aether SX2 (Android)

Do you already have the PS2 BIOS on your PC? To use it in Aether SX2 you just have to follow these steps:

  • Pass the PS2 BIOS to your Android mobile. The easiest way to do it is to connect your device to the computer with its USB cable, although here we leave you 3 ways to transfer files from your PC to the mobile without cables.
  • Open AetherSX2 on Android.
  • When you open it for the first time, you will see various instructions and descriptions of the emulator. Click Next until you reach the Import BIOS section.
  • Now, find the PS2 BIOS in your Android folders and select it. If you have all three BIOSes that we showed you how to download earlier, we recommend that you import all three, but leave the most recent one selected.

Ready! In case you have already gone through the initial configuration of Aether SX2 and the option to import BIOS does not appear, you can install the BIOS by pressing the three lines in the upper left corner. Then, select “Application Settings” and scroll the screen to go to the “BIOS” section where you can add the BIOS you want.

By the way, make sure to enable the ” Fast Boot ” option to prevent the emulator from getting a black screen when starting a game.

How to install PS1 BIOS on DuckStation (Android)

install PS1 BIOS on DuckStation (Android)

If you use the DuckStation emulator for PlayStation 1, the steps to follow to add the BIOS are these:

  • Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
  • Click on Import BIOS.
  • Choose the PS1 BIOS you downloaded earlier and you’re done.

As with the Aether SX2 emulator, with DuckStation it is necessary to activate the ” Quick start ” option in the emulator settings to avoid having black screen problems.

Anyway, if you have any questions, let us know so we can help you. Before you go, we think you’ll find it helpful to check out the list of PS2 games compatible with AetherSX2 on Android.

Conclusion

Want to play your favorite games on your favorite emulator? Downloading the official PS2 and PS1 BIOS is crucial if you want to enjoy your favorite games on your emulator. Remember to only download and use the BIOS if you own a physical copy of the console and game you want to play. Follow the steps we’ve provided to download and install the BIOS safely and efficiently.

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