Open PS2 Loader flavors

The Open PS2 Loader project has managed to grow into a number of stable as well as beta versions, plus some significant forks. There are so many that it is difficult for someone not following the so-called scene to choose the right one. I have listed the OPL versions below in order of appearance of the projects. Each with a brief description of how it differs from the others.

The short name for Open PS2 Loader is OPL but you may also come across OPNPS2LD. Both are correct.

Open PS2 Loader [1]

That is OPL. Due to the nature of the PlayStation 2, it is worth keeping a few versions that differ in their compatibility with games, especially with additional features such as IGR, IGS, GSM, PADEMU, VMC. These I think are worth keeping:

  • 0.9.3
  • 1.1.0
  • 1.2.0 beta (build 2049)
  • 1.2.0 beta (newest build)

Main Changes:

Version 1.0.0 added support for MX4SIO and significantly increased compatibility with games. In 1.1.0 added support for i.Link and “hdd0:/__common/OPL/conf_hdd.cfg”, a configuration file with the path to the resource partition (the default is “hdd0:/+OPL”). 1.2.0 brought many revolutionary features like, NBD server (build 1635), *.zso support (build 1871), exFAT file system and GPT partition table (build 1987, but on internal HDD only in 2184), APA-Jail. You can find a complete list per build in the changelog (inside release archive).

Which archive to download?

The file “OPNPS2LD.7z” contains the zipped all-in-one version. The file with “VARIANTS*” contains the uncompressed, all-revisions of a specific build (i.e. with selected functionalities). The others are source code, language files and direct link files for automatic updates.

If you need a specific build, you can find them all here.


E2OPL [1]

Fork adding support for the EXT2 file system, based on (if I remember correctly) OPL v0.9.3.

Version:

  • 0.1.1

Unique Features:

  • EXT2 support.
  • No need to defragment disc images on EXT2.

Open PS2 Loader Daily Build [1]

That is, OPL DB or OPL TA. Although the name suggests that it is the official OPL so much that it is the latest, in reality it is a fork of the OPL - on top of which it is not respected among the so-called scene (and unfortunately it is still wildly popular on YouTube, Reddit, sellers etc.). This is because it has an integrated POPStarter against the wishes of the author; a number of disastrous code changes that result in problems unknown in OPL and other forks (e.g. lower compatibility; VRAM problems; random zeroing virtual PSX cards); a plagiarised theme that includes bitmaps belonging to Apple. The author himself repeatedly lies about the OPL DB, so you may find information on the internet contradicting that above…

Versions not worth owning: ;)

  • 0.9.1 (which is called 10th Anniversary, hence the abbreviations OPL DB TA or OPL TA)
  • 1.2.0 beta (the latest build)

Unique Features:

  • Due to the integration of the PSX emulator, it includes an ELM category where PSX disc images are listed. While this is a very important functionality for many, please note that OPL can do the same, only not in a dedicated category, but in APPS (e.g. that way).
  • Additional assets in themes (e.g. third frame for screenshot, game logo).


Open PS2 Loader v1-MOD [1]

Fork based on OPL v1.0.0, with some changes from more recent versions backported.

Version:

  • 2024-05-16

Unique Features:

  • Supports guitars from the PS3
  • Enables booting of games via OPL-Launcher on DESR models.


Open PS2 Loader Modular PADEMU [1]

OPL fork with joypad support for Xbox 360. Unfortunately unfinished, only source code available.

Open PS2 Loader Grimdoomer [1][2]

That is, OPL GD (unofficial abbreviation). Fork focusing on support for an internal hard drive formatted with MBR/GPT/no partition table, with exFAT file system.

Versions:

  • 1.2.0.6-1996 Beta
  • 1.2.0.6-1996 Beta (PADEMU)
  • 1.2.0.6-1996 Beta (UDMA+, which means support for UDMA5/UDMA6 mode)

Unique Features:

  • Support for exFAT and GPT (this functionality has now been added to OPL v1.2.0).


X2P [1]

Xbox-to-PlayStation is a fork based on the OPL 1.2.0 Beta build 2081. Although it was just an April Fools’ joke (X2P pretends to be an Xbox Classic emulator for the PS2), it is still a full-fledged OPL that can be used almost in the same way as any other (it differs in folder names for covers, disc images, etc.).

Version:

  • 0.5.4 alpha 17022 REV5


unofficial Open PS2 Loader [1][2]

That is, uOPL. Fork based on OPL v1.2.0 beta build 2049, but backported to PS2SDK v1.0.

Versions:

  • 2024-12-23
  • 2024-12-23 Betrayal (replaced grey-white background with black, not recommended :P)

Unique Features:

  • Favourites category added.
  • BDM GPT and APA-Jail support (this functionality has now been added to the OPL v1.2.0).
  • Support for multiple partitions and multiple BDMs at once (this functionality has now been added to OPL v1.2.0).
  • Cover Flow style theme (but there is also a classic list).



Open PS2 Loader MMCE [1]

That is, the OPL MMCE. Fork dedicated to memory card emulators such as SD2PSX, PSXMCG2 or MCP2.

Versions:

  • beta2 i beta3 (beta3 differs from beta2 only in having the correct MMCE icon)
  • beta2 HDD Fix (beta2 but with correct support for BDM HDD and APA)

Unique Features:

  • Enables automatic switching of the virtual PS2 card to match the game’s GameID.
  • Allows the loading of disc images from a microSD card inserted in the MMCE.