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NathanNeurotic merged 1 commit into from
May 1, 2026
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docs: clarify README device support and remove outdated compatibility claim #33

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26 changes: 13 additions & 13 deletions README.md
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Expand Up @@ -11,21 +11,22 @@ Review the LICENSE file for further details.<br><br>
[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/1275875800318476381?style=flat&logo=Discord)](https://tinyurl.com/PS2SPACE)
## Contents

- [Introduction](#introduction) · [Quick Start](#quick-start) · [Major Features Overview](#major-features-overview) · [Release Types](#release-types) · [How to Use](#how-to-use) · [USB/MX4SIO/iLink](#usbmx4sioilink) · [SMB](#smb) · [HDD](#hdd) · [APPS](#apps) · [Cheats](#cheats) · [NBD Server](#nbd-server) · [ZSO Format](#zso-format) · [PS3 BC](#ps3-bc) · [Frequent Issues](#frequent-issues)
- [Introduction](#introduction) · [Quick Start](#quick-start) · [Major Features Overview](#major-features-overview) · [Release Types](#release-types) · [How to Use](#how-to-use) · [USB/MMCE/MX4SIO/iLink](#usbmmcemx4sioilink) · [SMB](#smb) · [HDD](#hdd) · [APPS](#apps) · [Cheats](#cheats) · [NBD Server](#nbd-server) · [ZSO Format](#zso-format) · [PS3 BC](#ps3-bc) · [Frequent Issues](#frequent-issues)

## Introduction

Open PS2 Loader (OPL) is a 100% Open source game and application loader for
the PS2 and PS3 units.
Major capabilities include GSM video mode fixes, Virtual Memory Cards (VMC), PS2RD cheats, DS3/DS4 pad emulation, themes, and homebrew app launching.

It supports five categories of devices:
It supports six categories of devices:

1. USB mass storage devices;
2. MX4SIO (SD card connected to memory card port via adapter);
3. iLink (SBP2 compliant storage devices via IEEE 1394);
4. SMBv1 shares;
5. ATA/IDE HDDs.
2. MMCE (Memory Card Mass Storage protocol devices);
3. MX4SIO (SD card connected to memory card port via adapter);
4. iLink (SBP2 compliant storage devices via IEEE 1394);
5. SMBv1 shares;
6. ATA/IDE HDDs, including internal exFAT configurations (MBR/GPT).

All of the devices mentioned above support multiple file formats, including:

Expand All @@ -35,8 +36,6 @@ All of the devices mentioned above support multiple file formats, including:
- Homebrews (Apps) in ELF format;
- HDDs support the HDLoader format.

It's now the most compatible homebrew loader.

>[!NOTE]
OPL is developed continuously - anyone can contribute improvements to the project due to its open-source nature.

Expand All @@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ For an updated compatibility list, you can visit the OPL-CL site at:\
### What you need

- [ ] A PlayStation 2 or backward-compatible PlayStation 3.
- [ ] One storage option: USB drive, MX4SIO SD card, SMB network share, or internal HDD.
- [ ] One storage option: USB drive, MMCE or MX4SIO SD setup, iLink storage, SMB network share, or internal HDD (APA/PFS or exFAT).
- [ ] The latest Open PS2 Loader (OPL) ELF binary.
- [ ] Optional: network access (recommended for SMB and remote file management).

Expand All @@ -66,14 +65,15 @@ For an updated compatibility list, you can visit the OPL-CL site at:\
4. Open OPL settings and enable the device mode you plan to use.
5. Launch one test game, then save settings so OPL reuses your configuration.

For detailed setup steps, jump to the README sections for **USB/MX4SIO/iLink**, **SMB**, **HDD**, **APPS**, and **Frequent Issues**.
For detailed setup steps, jump to the README sections for **USB/MMCE/MX4SIO/iLink**, **SMB**, **HDD**, **APPS**, and **Frequent Issues**.


### Major Features Overview

This section is a fast feature map to improve discoverability of core OPL capabilities and reduce setup friction for first-time and returning users.

- **MMCE / MX4SIO support:** OPL supports MX4SIO adapters (including MMCE-compatible setups) for loading content from SD cards through the Memory Card slot. See the **USB/MX4SIO/iLink** section for filesystem and layout guidance.
- **MMCE support:** OPL supports MMCE devices using the Memory Card Mass Storage protocol for SD-based loading through the Memory Card slot.
- **MX4SIO support:** OPL supports MX4SIO adapters for SD-based loading through the Memory Card slot. See the **USB/MMCE/MX4SIO/iLink** section for filesystem and layout guidance.
- **Internal HDD exFAT support:** Internal HDD loading supports exFAT in addition to APA/PFS, including GPT partitioning for large disks. See the **HDD** section for formatting and fragmentation guidance.
- **Themes:** Place theme assets in the `THM` folder, then select and apply themes from OPL settings.
- **Cheats / PS2RD:** OPL supports PS2RD `.cht` cheat files from the `CHT` folder, with both auto-apply and launch-time selection modes.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -135,11 +135,11 @@ HDDs are also able to be formatted as exFAT to avoid the 2TB limitation. Please
</details>

<details>
<summary> <b> USB/MX4SIO/iLink </b> </summary>
<summary> <b> USB/MMCE/MX4SIO/iLink </b> </summary>
<p>

Supported file systems:
exFAT (since OPL v1.2.0 beta - rev1880) and FAT32, both use the MBR partition table. This section applies to MX4SIO/MMCE SD setups and USB storage.
exFAT (since OPL v1.2.0 beta - rev1880) and FAT32, both use the MBR partition table. This section applies to MMCE and MX4SIO SD setups, USB storage, and iLink SBP2 storage.

Game files should be *ideally* defragmented either file by file or by whole drive.

Expand Down