unirom8_bootdisc_and_firmware_for_ps1 VS PicoMemcard

There are homebrew tools that can be installed on a PS1 memory card [1] and allow for executables to be loaded from a host machine into RAM through the serial port on the back of the console, in a similar way to what Sony's official Net Yaroze loader did back in the day. These tools can also use undocumented CD-ROM drive commands to disable region checks without the need for a modchip, provide semihosting (host filesystem access) and so on.

On the PS2 it's slightly more complicated, as there is no way to launch the "native" PS1 backwards compatibility mode other than to use a modchip (or firmware mod on some models) and burn the executable onto a disc; the serial port is not exposed either, making debugging much harder. It can still be done, but it's much easier to just use an actual PS1.

[1]: https://github.com/JonathanDotCel/unirom8_bootdisc_and_firmw...

I just tried it myself, using an unmodded SCPH-9001, and original CD (Tomb Raider II, NTSC:U/C to be precise) and a burned copy of the Unirom 8.0K installer disc (from https://github.com/JonathanDotCel/unirom8_bootdisc_and_firmware_for_ps1/releases/), and it booted without problems.

FreePSXBoot: https://github.com/brad-lin/FreePSXBoot Unirom: https://github.com/JonathanDotCel/unirom8_bootdisc_and_firmware_for_ps1 TonyHax: https://github.com/socram8888/tonyhax

Burn a CD with the latest unirom CD: https://github.com/JonathanDotCel/unirom8_bootdisc_and_firmware_for_ps1

Yes. An alternative would be to swap trick with original game and the UNIROM burned disc. You can download it from its GitHub page. https://github.com/JonathanDotCel/unirom8_bootdisc_and_firmware_for_ps1

- Unirom also has a memory card manager that let's you see and undelete saves. You need either a CD-R with Unirom burned to it (on a modchipped PS or with a swap trick), or a memory card with FreePSXBoot using Unirom (on any non-chipped PS).

What a coincidence, I'm working on a similar project myself. After a bit of code cleanup I will be pushing to github, but in the meantime I recommend taking a look at PicoMemcard. The Playstation 1 and 2 use the same communication protocol for both the controller and memory card.

1 pico for the PlayStation to use as a PicoMemcard a custom memcard for the PSX, which allow to boot freepsxboot, an exploit to load backup cd

Regardless of jokes, even for only 8MB PS2 memory card emulation the PicoMemcard author (https://github.com/dangiu/PicoMemcard) claims the Pi Pico is not enough without extra components! :)

Also, they won't admit it publicly, but competing open source projects like PicoMemcard are probably what pushed them to find more competitive pricing solutions.

If you're savvy you can make one. https://github.com/dangiu/PicoMemcard

The creator is dangiu from https://github.com/dangiu/PicoMemcard. check em out 😁

This is very easy DIY project created my dangiu on github called PicoMemcard. I followed his instructions for RPI 2040 and it just works! The best part you can read and write memory card images to it directly via USB! That means easy backups and easy imports of saves from emulators etc.