Are you new to programming the PS2 and need your hand held while you get started? Read through these tutorials and when you're a master, why not write one?

Some people may find that most tutorials are a bit steep in terms of the assumptions made about the knowledge of the reader. If this is the case, the reader probably needs to master some of the basics, before moving on to more intensive parts of PS2 development.

Lukasz Bruun's - An Introduction to PS2DEV
LBGSHI's - PS2 Dev. Intro

The PS2 is a powerful machine that has the potential to be used in a lot more ways than just a games machine. Currently there are a number of different avenues you can take to start developing programs for your PS2. Depending on your interest and funding you can take one of the following paths.

Method 1 - PS2DEV (Home Brew)
Method 2 - PS2 Linux
Method 3 - Official Development Kits

Probably the most challenging step of getting started with PS2Dev is getting the environment right. You will need the PS2 set up with a method of loading your programs, as well as compilers and tools to develop your programs.

To load your programs, there are a number of different tools that you can use. Check out the Loaders section on this site for downloads.

The most common method of loading home brew programs is using PS2Link. PS2Link requires that you own a PS2 ethernet adapter (or that your PS2 came with a built-in adapter). The PC and PS2 are connected via ethernet using a crossover cable or hub. PS2Link is loaded on the PC. A client such as inLink is used on the PC to send programs to the PS2.

Another method of loading and testing the programs you write onto your PS2 is via NapLink. NapLink requires a PL-2301 USB<->USB cable which you plug into your PC and PS2. You start NapLink on your PC then load up your PS2 with the NapLink server.

To load PS2Link or NapLink on your PS2, you either need to have a mod-chip fitted, or use the PS2-Independence Exploit.

Naplink Demo Disk Swap
Getting Started with Naplink/PS2(Messiah mod-chip)
3stars.elf built on gnu NT.

After you get Naplink started on your PS2, and you're able to download some of the demo programs, you're going to need to set up a development environment. The PS2 has two main, separate CPUs: the Emotion Engine (EE; MIPS 5900) and IO Processor (IOP; MIPS 3000). Each CPU requires a separate and different compiler. However, for the purpose of simplicity, the three avenues detailed below will entail setting up both compilers in one fell swoop.

PS2SDK Setup I
PS2SDK Setup II
PS2SDK Setup III

If you've got Naplink and your compilers set up, you are ready to start punching out some code. Don't know where to start? Look no further! This section contains simple PS2 example code, aimed at helping newbies who are trying to get to grips with coding for the PS2.

Compilable Source Collection
Star Simulation - VERY simple example code.
Dreamtime's PS2DEV Tutorial #1
Dreamtime's PS2DEV Tutorial #2a
Dreamtime's PS2DEV Tutorial #2b
Dreamtime's PS2DEV Tutorial #2c
Dreamtime's PS2DEV Tutorial #2d
Hello IOP! Programming on the IO Processor

Good information on assembler instruction pairing and latency penalties.

Performance Tips
Normal Mapping Tutorial by Morten 'Sparky' Mikkelsen