PS2 Save Tools

I’ve been flirting on and off with writing a tool to support the PCSX2 memory card files which are a raw image of a PS2 memory card. A couple of days ago I wrote the code to check and correct the ECC data in these files, the 16 byte footer I mentioned in my initial and subsequent posts on the format.

I was gearing up to fully document the format and write a supporting tool only to find that Ross Ridge had already beaten me to it! Check out his excellent technical breakdown of the PlayStation 2 Memory Card File System and you might also be interested in sampling the alpha version of mymc, a command line utility to add and extract files to and from the .ps2 memory card files used by PCSX2

It seems that Sony have finally realised that one way data transfer was a poor decision and in the 1.80 firmware update have included the facility to transfer data back onto a PSOne or Playstation 2 memory card using the Memory Card Adapter.

This is great news for those who already paid out money for what was effectively a one-use item. PSV Exporter, previously the only way to transfer saves back from the PS3, whilst not being so essential is still a highly useful tool for saves transfer and will hopefully one day include the facility to edit and create PSV files.

I recently reported on the show stopping bug found on Kingdom Hearts 2 when played on a Playstation 3. Quickly recapping; A bug in the PS3 emulation makes one of the boss fights in Tron’s World completely unwinnable leaving players unable to continue and complete the game.

I’ve been playing Kingdom Hearts 2 on my trusty PS2 and luckily was not yet at the Hostile Program fight when the news broke. I am proud to present a save, made immediately after the Hostile Program battle for all Playstation 3 owners to enjoy!

Download the Kingdom Hearts 2 PSV saves – after the Hostile Program fight for Playstation 3 users.

Taking the Emotion Engine out of the European Playstation 3’s was a really bad idea, Sony themselves said that software emulation wasn’t good enough and true to form a problem with a top title has emerged.

A discussion over at the GameTrailers.com forums has unearthed a show stopping glitch when you play Kingdom Hearts 2 on a PlayStation 3. Facing off against the hostile program in Tron’s world becomes an endless endevour and progress cannot be made further in the game.

ninjaboris, from the GameTrailers.com forums, quickly came up with a workaround using none other than our very own PSV Exporter to transfer your save to a PS2 Memorycard (using PS2 Save Builder to convert the raw files created by PSV Exporter into a save for your preferred save transfering method or program), complete the problem section on a PS2 and then use the PS3 Memorycard Adapter to transfer the save back to the PS3.

If you’re an avid gamer like me you’ll be happy to hear that the long awaited and limited edition Halo 3 Legendary Edition with Sparten helmet is now available to pre-order in the UK already!

I fully expect that the US edition will be ready to pre-order soon

I’ve got mine pre-ordered, and I don’t even own an Xbox360 yet, have you?

This is a common question, especially for those who have just picked up a brand new Playstation 3

In short, you’re going to need to purchase the Sony Playstation 3 Memory Card Adaptor, without this there is currently no way to transfer your old saves from your Playstation 2 memory card.

UK users, who have yet to see the Playstation 3 reach their shores, can already buy an unofficial PS2 Memory Card Adaptor (PS3), which does the same job at the official Sony kit but comes in at a cheaper price. Not to mention the official adapter isn’t out in the UK yet despite needing no hardware changes.

Look out for an upcoming tutorial on transferring your Playstation 2 saves, in the .psv format, back to your PS2 from the Playstation 3 using PSV Exporter