You might be familiar with the name Play! if you’ve dabbled in PlayStation emulation. The emulator allows you to play your favorite PlayStation 2 titles on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. Now Play! developer Jean-Philip Desjardins has unveiled Play!.js, a version of the emulator playable on your web browser.
The emulator’s a prototype (and it feels like it), but it also represents a big leap towards accessible PlayStation 2 emulation. The ease of access alone is phenomenal, and although a number of standard emulator features missing, Play!.js is still a technical marvel.
See the emulator in action running Capcom vs. SNK 2 courtesy of Mr. Sujano on YouTube:
How this PlayStation 2 web browser emulator works
The Play!.js emulator runs ISO, CSO, CHD, ISZ, BIN, or ELF files, which you’ll need to supply on your own. (NOTE: We’re not going to tell you how to get them, so don’t even ask.) Thankfully, you don’t need a copy of the PS2 BIOS to use this tool, as one is supplied already. For now, however, you’ll have to make do with using your keyboard as controllers aren’t yet supported.
As to be expected from a brand-new emulator, not every single title works on Play!.js right now; even those that the program can open often have major or minor issues. Around 400 titles are currently playable within the emulator, with 1,200 others in various stages of compatibility. You can view the full compatibility list here.
I popped Virtua Fighter 4 into the emulator to test it out myself. (See below.) It was choppy, slow, and fidgety, but I was playing VF4 in Chrome — a remarkable sight indeed.
It should be noted, however: as Desjardins himself states, this is purely an experiment right now. This isn’t the main goal of the Play! emulator project, and it isn’t meant to support every single PlayStation 2 game. Right now, this is more of a fascinating look at what’s possible, and on that note, it’s certainly impressive. But for the definitive PlayStation 2 emulator experience, you’re better off looking elsewhere.
What do you think of this project? Are you going to try out your favorite PlayStation 2 games through this web browser emulator? Let us know!
Via Chrome Unboxed.
