Widescreen (16:9) for PlayStation 2 games

Note : This can NOT be achieved using the “Widescreen” option from OPL display settings page.

Previews :

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Final Fantasy X-2

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Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

As you may know (or not), some PlayStation 2 games natively support 16:9 ratio. However,

  • there is no real standard about how to enable it : somes games required 16:9 to be enabled in PlayStation 2 system configuration menu to be displayed in widecreen ratio, while some others has their 16:9 option in their own display settings menu (in game) ;

  • some games has their 16:9 ratio just skewed ;

  • some other games just doesn’t support 16:9.

It’s now possible to get proper 16:9 on a large amount of PlayStation 2 games. They are several methods to achieve this. Here’s 2 of them.

Method 1 : patch the game image :

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PS2 Patch Engine tool

Basic step-by-step :

(1) – Create an image of your PlayStation 2 game, either as .iso, .img or .bin format ;
(2) – Download PS2 Patch Engine tool, by pelvicthrustman ;
(3) – Get a 16:9 patch for your PlayStation 2 game, either as *.pnach file (see the PCSX2 widescreen archive at the bottom of the post), either as RAW code.
(4) – Read the “How to use it” section of this post.
(5) – Once done, install your PS2 game for use with OPL, like you would for any other games.
(6) – Enjoy !

Note : WS .pnaches are game specific, which means you can’t apply a NTSC-U .pnach over a PAL game and vice-versa (example).

Method 2 : using OPL+PS2RD :

Process is exactly the same as you would do for any other cheats codes – except the fact you also need to convert 16:9 patches from .pnach to RAW codes.

Basic step-by-step :

(1) – Create a <game_ID>.cht text file, replacing <game_ID> with the actual ID of your game. Example – Okami (PAL) : SLES_544.39.cht.
(2) – Extract the main executable of your PS2 game using ELF Extractor by pelvicthrustman ;
(3) – Use MasterCode Finder tool, by pelvicthrustman to determine the mastercode of your game ;
(4) – Get a 16:9 patch for your PlayStation 2 game, as *.pnach file (see the PCSX2 widescreen archive at the bottom of the post) ;
(5) – Convert your 16:9 patch (.pnach format) to RAW codes using PNACH Converter tool, by pelvicthrustman ;
(6) – Write the mastercode and WS code in your <game_ID>.cht file, like this :

SLES_544.39.cht :

Master Code
9020FB28 0C0FBB2A
Widescreen Code
201974d4 3c014455
20344864 3c014455
(7) – Drop your <game_ID>.cht file in your CHT folder on the device you launch your games from (either +OPL/CHT, or mass:/CHT, or smb:/CHT) ;
(8) – Launch OPL, enable PS2RD in the “Cheats settings screen”, and launch your game ;
(9) – Enjoy !

Note : mastercodes and WS *.pnaches are game specific : you can’t use a PAL mastercode for a NTSC-J game, nor apply a NTSC-U .pnach over a PAL game and vice-versa (example).

Sources :
. PSCX2 forum – thanks to everyone who contributed to the archive ;
. Pelvicthrustman’s PS2 Hacking Toolkit by pelvicthrustman – thanks for the great tools provided.