Essential apps
Essential Homebrew Apps
Once your PlayStation 2 is running Free McBoot or another exploit, the real fun begins: loading homebrew. Homebrew apps ship as .ELF files, which are simply executable programs. You launch them from the FMCB menu or from a file manager like uLaunchELF. This page is a curated starting point for the apps most people install first.
What is an .ELF?
ELF stands for Executable and Linkable Format. On the PS2 it is the native program format the console runs. Copy these files to your memory card or USB drive, point your launcher at them, and they boot just like a retail disc would.
The short list
- uLaunchELF (wLaunchELF) — the Swiss Army knife. File manager, FTP server, memory card tools, and an .ELF launcher all in one.
- Simple Media System (SMS) — play video and audio files from USB or over the network.
- PS2RD / Cheat Device — apply cheat codes to retail games.
- Memory card managers — back up, restore, copy, and reorganize your saves.
- Save converters — move saves between formats so they work across regions and tools.
How to organize them
Keep your apps in clearly named folders on your storage device, and consider adding the ones you use most to your Free McBoot menu so they appear right at boot. A tidy layout saves a lot of hunting later.
Only run homebrew you trust. Stick to well-known community projects, and always keep a backup of your memory card before experimenting.