Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get back into some classic PS2 games, and even better, play them with my friends like the good old days. So I started this project, “multiplayer PS2”, which, is a bit of an oversimplification, but hey, that’s what I called it.
Getting the Gear Together
First things first, I needed the hardware. I already had my trusty old PS2, but I realized I only have 1 controller. So, that’s the thing I need:
- PS2 Console: Check. Still works like a charm.
- Controllers: I need to find some extra. I need at least 2, might as well get 3, since some games can support 4-players.
- Multitap: This is the key. I need something which allows me to connect more than two controllers to the PS2. So, that is also need to be prepared.
- Games: Duh. I dug through my old collection and found some multiplayer gems.
- TV: I’ve got a newer TV, so I knew I might need an adapter.
The Hunt for Controllers and Multitap
I went to check, most of the good condition stuff were gone. Finally got my hand on a couple of controllers, but they are also used ones.
The multitap was a bit trickier. I ended up grabbing a used one.
Connecting Everything Up
Hooking up the PS2 to my TV was the first hurdle. I tried a direct connection with the composite cables (the yellow, red, and white ones), but the picture quality was awful. Blurry and washed out. Then I remembered I bought a PS2 to some adapter long ago. So I dug up that adapter, plugged it in, and boom! Much better picture. Still not perfect, but definitely playable.
Next, I plugged in the multitap into the PS2’s controller port, then plugged all the controllers into the multitap. Turned everything on, and…success! The PS2 recognized all the controllers.
Game Time!
I popped in TimeSplitters 2, a classic. I tried some few other games, all worked fine.
Troubleshooting
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Here’s a few hiccups I had to fix:
- One controller wasn’t working: Turns out, the contacts were a bit dirty. I cleaned them with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol, and it worked fine after that.
- The picture was flickering: I wiggled the adapter cable a bit, and it seemed to fix the issue. Might need to replace that cable eventually.
So that’s it. I got to relive some classic multiplayer gaming goodness. It was a bit of a process, but totally worth it. This is how I play PS2 games with my friends.