Install FreeMCBoot on the PlayStation 2
FreeMCBoot (FMCB) is one of the cleverest softmods around: you install it on a PS2 memory card, put it in your console, and from that point the PS2 boots up with its own menu. No soldering iron, no hardware, no risk. And fully removable by wiping the memory card.
With FMCB you can launch games from USB stick, external hard drive or SD card. You can also access homebrew applications, emulators and more.
What you need {#what-you-need}
- A PS2 memory card (8MB, original or compatible)
- A PS2 with a supported firmware version — FMCB doesn’t work on all hardware revisions (see compatibility list)
- A pre-installed FMCB memory card — the easiest route is buying a memory card with FMCB already on it (€5–€10 on AliExpress or Amazon)
- Or: another PS2 that already has FMCB, to do the installation yourself
The easiest route: buy a memory card with FreeMCBoot already installed. Pop it in your PS2 and you're ready to go. Costs a few euros and you're up and running straight away.
Step by step: starting with an FMCB memory card
If you’ve bought an FMCB memory card:
1. Insert the FMCB memory card in slot 1
Turn the PS2 on with the FMCB card in memory card slot 1.
2. FMCB loads automatically
The PS2 now boots up with the FreeMCBoot menu instead of the standard browser menu.
3. Install to your own memory card (optional)
Via the FMCB menu you can install the software to your own blank memory card, so you don’t always need the bought card.
Running games via USB: setting up OPL
After installing FMCB, use Open PS2 Loader (OPL) to launch games from USB or HDD:
1. Put games on a USB stick
Format a FAT32 USB stick and create a DVD or CD folder. Copy your game ISOs (from your own discs) to the correct folder.
2. Launch OPL via the FMCB menu
OPL is included in the FMCB menu by default. Launch it.
3. Load games
OPL automatically recognises the games on your USB stick. Choose a game and start it.
FreeMCBoot does not work on the very latest hardware revisions of the PS2 Slim (90000 series). Check before buying whether your model is supported via the compatibility list on the FreeMCBoot wiki.
What else can you do with FMCB?
- Run emulators — SNES, NES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy: all available as PS2 homebrew
- Bypass DVD region lock — via FMCB plugins
- Take screenshots — via specific tools
- Back up system software — for recovery if something goes wrong