Enthusiasts have unveiled an unofficial PS5SX2 emulator that lets a jailbroken PlayStation 5 read original DVDs of retro games, but the trade-off is the loss of online services, the website infohub.kz reports.
The program is built on the well-known open-source PCSX2 project. The new emulator offers 4K resolution support, widescreen output, 60 frames per second, enhanced textures and even an achievement system styled after modern trophies. However, the console's disc drive cannot read the CD format. As a result, early PlayStation 2 releases with blue discs cannot be launched directly and must first be copied on a computer.
The main drawback of the method is the need to use a jailbroken version of the system software. The emulator runs on consoles with firmware no higher than version 13.60. Sony has already patched the vulnerability in update 14.00 and has also blocked access to PlayStation Network for all devices running older system versions. Rolling back to a previous firmware is impossible.
The owner of a jailbroken console loses full access to the PlayStation Store, online multiplayer and any modern titles that require an up-to-date firmware. Such strict restrictions make running two-decade-old discs impractical for most gamers, especially given the availability of third-party emulators for computers and mobile devices.