PlayStation 2 (PS2) owners have extended the life of the video game console by modifying its operating system to do things that Sony decided not to include.

A modified (or “modded”) PS2 can play copies of PS2 games that have been duplicated using standard copy programs that are freely available on PCs.

Compressing a PS2 game that was originally on a DVD9 or “dual-layer” optical disc enables it to be copied to the less expensive and more readily available DVD5 or “single-layer” optical disc. This is done using an Image compression program, of which there are a number available to try out for free, along with DVD burning programs that have the capability as part of their feature-set.

Download a DVD copy program to the PC’s desktop, for example, the free trial version of DVD Decrypter or the free ImgBurn. Double-click on the file once downloaded. Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive. Restart the PC.

  • Select “Compress ISO file to DVD5” or “Compress ISO 50%” from the “Tools” or “Formatting” drop down menu at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen.
  • Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive.
  • Select “Compress ISO file to DVD5” or “Compress ISO 50%” from the “Tools” or “Formatting” drop down menu at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen.
  • Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive.

Eject the disc tray. Place the PS2 game disc on the disc tray. Close the disc tray.

Launch the DVD copy program by selecting it from the “?Start, “ “All Applications” pop-up menu. Select the DVD drive on the DVD copy program’s main screen from the Devices” or “Drive” drop down menu.

  • Place the PS2 game disc on the disc tray.
  • Select the DVD drive on the DVD copy program’s main screen from the Devices” or “Drive” drop down menu.

Click on the “Browse” button next to the “Output” or “File download” tab. Navigate in the window that appears to the PC’s desktop. Click on the “OK” button to close the window.

Select “ISO” from the “Format” or “Type” drop down menu on the DVD copy program’s main screen. Click the “Start” or “Copy” button at the bottom of the DVD copy program’s main screen. Wait as a progress bar at the bottom of the screen fills in from left to right. Click on the “OK” or “Done” button on the confirmation window when it appears.

  • Select “ISO” from the “Format” or “Type” drop down menu on the DVD copy program’s main screen.
  • Click the “Start” or “Copy” button at the bottom of the DVD copy program’s main screen.

Quit the DVD copy program. Go to “Start,” “My Computer,” “Devices.” Right-click on the icon of the PS2 game disc that is beneath “Removable devices & storage” in the middle of the window that appears. Select “Eject” from the pop-up menu. Eject the disc tray. Remove the PS2 game disc. Close the disc tray.

Download an Image compression program to the PC’s desktop, for example, the free trial version of MagicISO or the free ImgBurn. Double-click on the file once downloaded. Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive. Restart the PC.

  • Select “Compress ISO file to DVD5” or “Compress ISO 50%” from the “Tools” or “Formatting” drop down menu at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen.
  • Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive.
  • Select “Compress ISO file to DVD5” or “Compress ISO 50%” from the “Tools” or “Formatting” drop down menu at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen.
  • Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive.

Launch the Image compression program by selecting it from the “Start, “ “All Applications” pop-up menu.

Click on the “Add File” or "Add +” button at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen. Navigate in the window that appears to the PS2 game disc ISO file that is on the desktop. Double-click on the PS2 game disc ISO file.

  • Download an Image compression program to the PC’s desktop, for example, the free trial version of MagicISO or the free ImgBurn.
  • Click on the “Add File” or "Add +” button at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen.

Select “Compress ISO file to DVD5” or “Compress ISO 50%” from the “Tools” or “Formatting” drop down menu at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen.

Click the “Start” or “Compress” button at the bottom of the screen. Wait as a progress bar pop-up on top of the screen, fills in from left to right and then disappears. Quit the Image compression program.

Download a DVD copy program to the PC’s desktop, for example, the free trial version of DVD Decrypter or the free ImgBurn. Double-click on the file once downloaded. Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive. Restart the PC.

  • Select “Compress ISO file to DVD5” or “Compress ISO 50%” from the “Tools” or “Formatting” drop down menu at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen.
  • Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive.
  • Select “Compress ISO file to DVD5” or “Compress ISO 50%” from the “Tools” or “Formatting” drop down menu at the top of the Image compression program’s main screen.
  • Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the PC’s hard drive.

Eject the disc tray. Place a blank recordable DVD5 disc on the disc tray. Close the disc tray. Launch the DVD copy program by selecting it from the “Start, “ “All Applications” pop-up menu.

  • Place a blank recordable DVD5 disc on the disc tray.
  • Launch the DVD copy program by selecting it from the “Start, “ “All Applications” pop-up menu.

Click on the “Add File” button on the program’s main screen or select “Open file” from the “File” drop down menu at the top of the screen. Navigate in the window that appears to the PS2 game disc compressed ISO file that is on the desktop. Double-click on the PS2 game disc compressed ISO file.

Select the DVD drive from the “Drive” or “Devices’ drop down menu on the DVD copy program’s main screen.

  • Select the DVD drive from the “Drive” or “Devices’ drop down menu on the DVD copy program’s main screen.

Select “ISO” from the “File type” or “File Format” drop down menu on the DVD copy program’s main screen.

Click the “Start” or “Burn” button at the bottom of the screen. Wait as a progress bar appears at the bottom of the screen and fills in from left to right. Quit the DVD copy program once you have clicked on the “OK” or “Done” button on the confirmation window.

Quit the DVD copy program. Go to “Start,” “My Computer,” “Devices.” Right-click on the icon of the PS2 game disc that is beneath “Removable devices & storage” in the middle of the window that appears. Select “Eject” from the pop-up menu. Eject the disc tray. Remove the PS2 game disc that was compressed and burnt from the PS2 game disc ISO file. Close the disc tray.

WARNING

Inexpensive blank DVD discs can fail to work properly after a few months due to inferior materials.