I have the AYN Odin Pro and the Retroid Pocket 3+ in my retro handheld collection and have recently been testing Playstation 2 game performance. Several people in the retro handheld community have been maintaining a PS2 Compatibility list for both devices. However, these lists do not cover the entire PS2 game library.
As a means to contribute to this initiative, I’m compiling my own PS2 Compatibility list with AetherSX2 settings based on my personal testing. Without further ado, here is my PS2 Compatibility list for the AYN Odin Pro and Retroid Pocket 3+!
Note: The latest OTA update (version V1.0.0.221) is said to have improved PS2 performance significantly. I’ll be separating my pre-update and post-update results so stay tuned!
LINKS TO THE EXISTING COMMUNITY GUIDES
Even though I’m making my own PS2 Compatibility list, we shouldn’t be limiting ourselves to a single source of information. You can reference the existing Compatibility Lists maintained by the community through these links:
Now that you have access to the existing guides, on to my own PS2 Compatibility list!
MY AETHERSX2 STARTING SETTINGS
I’ve got my own default AetherSX2 settings that I start with on every performance test. I’m not sure if everyone has the same, but it’s important that I mention it so that you know what I mean when I say “works on my defaults”.
- System – EE Cycle Rate (Underclocking) – 100% (0)
- System – EE Cycle Skip (Underclocking) – Normal (0)
- System – Affinity Control Mode – Disabled
- System – Multi-Threaded VU1 – Enabled
- Graphics – GPU Renderer – Vulkan
- Graphics – Upscale Multiplier – 1x Native
- Graphics – Hardware Download Mode – Accurate
- Graphics – Threaded Presentation – Enabled
- Advanced – Enable Fastmem – Enabled
RATING SYSTEM
For consistency, I’ll borrow the ratings and definitions being followed by the RP3+ Compatibility Guide.
- Great – Essentially full speed with few problems.
- Playable – Either full speed or close to full speed. Sometimes has audio or visual problems.
- Somewhat – 70%-89% speed, some graphical/audio glitches.
- Bad – <70% speed, won’t start, or game-breaking glitches.
THE RETROID POCKET 3+ SLEEP MODE TRICK! (NO LONGER NEEDED IF YOU UPDATE TO V1.0.0.221)
Big thanks to fellow RP3+ tester GongStar for this trick! Right after you turn your Retroid Pocket 3+ on, put it immediately into sleep mode by pressing the Power button. Leave it in sleep mode for 20-30 seconds, then wake it up. I’ve tested this on two PS2 games in AetherSX2 and I’ve gotten good performance boosts from it! Here’s the video of the trick in action!
RETROID POCKET 3+ POST V1.0.0.221 (Click on the links to see videos of the performance)
- 6 games with video proof of playability!
- These tests were done after updating to version V1.0.0.221.
- Final Fantasy XII (PAL Version)
- Great performance on optimal defaults!
- Sly Racoon (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks.
- Playable performance with occasional framerate drops.
- Suikoden V (PAL Version)
- Great performance on optimal defaults!
- Wild Arms 5 (PAL Version)
- Change Audio Synchronization to Async Mix.
- Playable performance. Dips in battles but not very noticeable. Slowdown during sepia-colored cutscenes for some reason.
- WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain (PAL Version)
- Works great on optimal defaults!
- WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2006 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Playable performance up to four wrestlers. At 5 or 6, game slows down to 80%. Also blacks out during Finisher special effects (turn off Camera Cuts to help mitigate this).
RETROID POCKET 3+ PRE V1.0.0.221 (Click on the links to see videos of the performance)
- 51 games with video proof of playability!
- These tests were done prior to the version V1.0.0.221 OTA update.
- Ace Combat: Squadron Leader (PAL Version) (also known as Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War)
- Works great on optimal defaults, except for graphical glitches in the ocean water.
- Changing the GPU Render to OpenGL fixes the glitches, but performance is terrible.
- Armored Core 2 (PAL Version)
- Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above). You’ll know it worked if the opening cutscene plays at 100% speed.
- Change GPU Renderer to OpenGL
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Unsynchronized.
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops.
- Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 300% (3)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Playable. Opening movie at 50% speed, but the game itself was at 100% with occasional dips.
- Note: I didn’t get past the first dungeon after over 30 mins of playing (got KOed).
- Canis Canem Edit (PAL Version) (also known as Bully)
- Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above). You’ll know it worked if the opening cutscene plays at 100% speed.
- Change GPU Renderer to OpenGL
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops.
- Crash Twinsanity (PAL Version)
- Works on my defaults
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Dead to Rights (PAL Version)
- Works on my defaults
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Def Jam: Fight for NY (PAL Version)
- Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above). You’ll know it worked if the opening cutscene plays at 100% speed.
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops.
- Devil May Cry (PAL Version)
- Works on my defaults
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Digimon World 4 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops.
- Dynasty Warriors 4 (PAL Version)
- Works on my defaults
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Enter the Matrix (PAL Version)
- Works well on my defaults
- Make sure you change the in-game brightness settings (game is so freakin’ dark).
- Fight Night Round 2 (PAL Version)
- Works on my defaults
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Fight Night Round 3 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance. Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above) to reduce the dips.
- Final Fantasy X (PAL Version)
- Works on my defaults
- Great performance!
- God of War (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Great performance. Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above) to reduce the dips.
- Gran Turismo 4 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 130% (1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Maximum Underclock (3)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Unsynchronized.
- If the game stalls when choosing cars, you will need to change Hardware Download Mode to Accurate, then back to Unsynchronized after the assets load.
- Playable. Menus are at 60%-70% but the racing itself hovers around 95%-100%, with occasional dips.
- Gungriffon Blaze (PAL Version)
- Works well on my defaults.
- Great performance, rare framerate drops.
- Haunting Ground (PAL Version)
- Works well on my defaults.
- Great performance, rare framerate drops.
- Jackass: The Game (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Kingdom Hearts (PAL Version)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Unsynchronized
- Great performance!
- Manhunt (PAL version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Playable performance. Some graphical glitches with headlights and occasional stutters/lags.
- Medal of Honor: Frontline (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- NBA 2K12 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Unsynchronized
- Playable. Scenes run slow but gameplay is fine. Occasional framerate dips and sometimes you can feel the frame skip.
- NBA Street (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Need For Speed: Most Wanted (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 60% (-2)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Playable performance. App says 100% game speed but feels closer to 90%. Occasional framerate drops.
- Need for Speed: Underground 2 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Races start slow but they get to 100% game speed after a few seconds. Occasional framerate drops.
- Set Upscale Multiplier to 0.75x when exploring in Career Mode to further reduce the dips.
- Playable performance. I would have said great, but the dips are too frequent and the “warm-up” is obvious.
- Pro Evolution Soccer 3 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance. Intro movie is at 50% but game itself plays well. Occasional framerate drops.
- Project Zero / Fatal Frame (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Hardware Download Mode must be set to Accurate to be able to take photos and detect anomalies
- Great performance, minimal framerate drops
- Project Zero II / Fatal Frame II (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance. Occasional framerate drops.
- Ratchet & Clank 2 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 130% (1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance with minimal dips
- You can switch to No Underclock (0) in some areas of the game later on (thanks to Scene Closely for this tip)
- Resident Evil 4 (NTSC-U Version)
- Works on my defaults
- Great performance.
- Resident Evil: Dead Aim (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance!
- Resident Evil Outbreak (PAL Version)
- Works on my defaults
- Great performance. Do the Sleep Mode trick to completely eliminate framerate drops during gameplay.
- Rocky Legends (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 130% (1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance, with occasional framerate drips. Some rare graphical glitches too.
- Silent Hill 2 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance. Do the Sleep Mode trick if the cutscenes play below 100% game speed.
- Silent Hill 3 (PAL Version)
- Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above). You’ll know it worked if the opening cutscene plays at 100% speed.
- Change GPU Renderer to OpenGL
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Great gameplay performance, but some FMVs might have delayed dialogue.
- Spawn: Armageddon (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance. Intro movie is at 50% but game itself plays well. Rare framerate drops.
- Spider-Man 2 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Playable performance. Lags during most combat sequences, but tolerable.
- Splinter Cell (PAL Version)
- Choose OpenGL for GPU Renderer (better nightvision mode)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Playable performance. Has occasional framerate dips and the HUD glitches in and out frequently.
- SSX Tricky (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Great performance with rare and almost unnoticeable framerate drops.
- Suikoden III (NTSC Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Great performance. Occasional stutters and lags but acceptable for a JRPG.
- Suikoden IV (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance.
- Tekken 4 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 130% (1) or 75% (-1) (either works well)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Playable. Great performance in some stages, but slow or has framerate dips in a few others.
- Update: A bit of improvement with the Sleep Mode Trick, but not enough to justify a new video.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Uncheck Enable Fastmem in Advanced Settings
- Good performance, but there is some blinking in FMVs and some cutscenes don’t load.
- The Matrix: Path of Neo (PAL Version)
- Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above). You’ll know it worked if the opening movie plays at 100% speed.
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Good performance in some stages.
- In others, set Cycle Rate to 60% and Cycle Skip to Maximum (3). In these stages, performance is choppy.
- The Sims 2 (PAL Version)
- Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above). You’ll know it worked if the opening cutscene plays at 100% speed.
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- In Audio Settings, change Synchronization Mode to Async Mix.
- Playable performance. Dips are frequent, but I didn’t mind them in this type of game.
- True Crime: New York City (PAL Version)
- Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above). You’ll know it worked if the opening cutscene plays at 100% speed.
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Playable performance. You can do Mild Underclock on foot, but driving sequences need to be on Moderate.
- Wild Arms 3 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 180% (3)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Change Synchronization to Async Mix.
- Playable performance. Do the Sleep Mode trick (see above) to reduce the dips.
- Wild Arms 4 (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 130% (1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- In Graphics settings, change Bilinear Filtering to Nearest Neighbor (Point) and Blending Accuracy to Minimum
- In Advanced settings, turn on Manual Hardware Fixes and enable Wild Arms Fix
- Playable performance. Dips to 80% during battles but it’s tolerable because the game is turn-based.
- WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth (PAL Version)
- Change EE Cycle Rate to 130% (1)
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance with minimal dips during entrances.
AYN ODIN PRO (Click on the links to see videos of the performance)
- 5 games with video proof of performance!
- Need For Speed: Most Wanted (PAL Version)
- Set your Odin Pro to Performance Mode.
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Great performance. Occasional framerate drops.
- Need For Speed: Underground 2 (PAL Version)
- Set your Odin Pro to Performance Mode
- Great performance using my defaults with occasional framerate drops.
- Set to High Performance to further reduce the dips.
- The Simpsons: Hit & Run (PAL Version)
- Set your Odin Pro to Performance Mode.
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Playable performance. Game runs well but occasionally, some voice lines or music will repeat.
- WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain (NTSC-U Version)
- Set your Odin Pro to High Performance Mode.
- Works well using my AetherSX2 settings defaults.
- Great performance, save for the occasional slowdown in wrestler entrances.
- X-Men Legends (NTSC-U Version)
- Set your Odin Pro to Performance Mode
- Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
- Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
- Go to Advanced Settings and uncheck Enable Fastmem.
- Great performance with minimal dips.
THE REQUEST LIST
Yes, I take requests! Leave a comment below if you’ve got a request and I’ll add yours to the list!
- 24: The Game
- Armored Core Nexus
- Armored Core Ninebreaker
- Battle for Bikini Bottom
- Black
- Champions of Norrath
- Contra: Shattered Soldier
- Dead to Rights II
- God of War 2
- Grand Theft Auto Vice City
- Hot Shots Golf Fore!
- LotR: Return of the King
- Manhunt 2
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
- Need for Speed: Carbon
- Pro Evolution Soccer 4
- Samurai Warriors Empires 2
- Silent Hill 4: The Room
- Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent
- Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
- The Getaway
- The Godfather
- Ultraman: Fighting Evolution 3
- Xenosaga Episode I
- Zone of the Enders
GAMES THAT DIDN’T PLAY WELL ON RETROID POCKET 3+
- Armored Core 2: Another Age (PAL Version)
- Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore (PAL Version)
- Dance Dance Revolution Supernova (PAL Version)
- Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis (PAL Version)
- Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil (PAL Version)
- NBA Street V2 (PAL Version)
- Okami (PAL Version)
- Ridge Racer V (PAL Version)
- Scarface: The World is Yours (PAL Version)
- SoulCalibur 3 (PAL Version)
- WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 (PAL Version)
Update History
- Jan. 1, 2023 – Created this guide.
- Jan. 30, 2023 – Added GongStar’s Sleep Mode trick for the RP3+.
- Feb. 6, 2023 – RP3+ list now at 20 games.
- Feb. 25, 2023 – RP3+ list now at 30 games.
- Feb. 27, 2023 – Added list of requested games for testing.
- Mar. 6, 2023 – Added list of games that didn’t perform well for RP3+.
- Apr. 21, 2023 – RP3+ list now at 50+ games.
- Apr. 28, 2023 – Added note on the version V1.0.0.221 OTA update.
- May 4, 2023 – Started post V1.0.0.221 OTA update tests!
Tekken 4 was the best Tekken
Thank you for dropping by!
Hey man, when you have the time can you do a video on the Rp3+ testing the spiderman 2 PS2, please
Finally! I’ve been waiting for someone to request for a Marvel comics based superhero game! Adding this to the list!
Thanks so much for the comprehensive lists especially for PS2 on the RP3+!
You’re welcome! Bookmark this, I add games every week!
can help test the following suikoden titles on PS2
Suikoden III
Suikoden IV
Suikoden V
Adding these to the list!
Can you provide your settings for Pro Evolution Soccer 2? PES 3 works well, but I have trouble for PES2. I was also wondering if you could provide setting for Star Wars Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith? Many Many thanks!
I haven’t tried PES2 so I don’t have any settings for it yet. Will add both games on the list!
Hello. Can i request game captain tsubasa and zoid for ps2. I don’t know it work normally but thanks for checking these two games
Harvest moon save the homeland ps2
You should consider doing some tests on Gamecube, Wii, and 3ds games on the Retroid Pocket 3+ as well. It would be highly appreciated! Your recommendations on what settings to use for Ps2 emulation have been very helpful.