MKPS2ISO

mkps2iso builds PlayStation 2 DVD images from an XML document.

dumps2iso dumps PlayStation 2 DVD images to files and documents the precise structure into a mkps2iso compatible XML document.

mkps2iso was built with the goal in mind to be the sibling of mkpsxiso, stripping away CD-ROM mechanics to focus entirely on the UDF file system required by the PlayStation 2.
mkps2iso is meant to provide a faster, cross-platform, modern replacement for Sony's official CDVDGEN development tool. Other ISO creation tools such as MKISOFS do not allow controlling the precise order of files (necessary for optimizing access times).
mkps2iso outputs a standard .iso ready to burn to DVD or use in an emulator! The hope is that mkps2iso tools ease PlayStation 2 homebrew development and ROM hacking and reverse engineer efforts.

Features

Almost all images can be rebuilt 1:1.

MKPS2ISO

• Uses XML for scripting ISO/UDF projects.
• Outputs DVD-5/9 images directly to .iso format.
• Injects and encrypts boot logo into image.
• Controls file LBA based on file order, allowing for file seek optimization (just like CDVDGEN).
• Generates Master Disc sectors (useful for Retail-DEX MechaPwned consoles and Debugging Stations).
• Generates a log of all files with details such as LBA, size, etc.

DUMPS2ISO

• Supports any DVD-5/9 disc image files.
• Extracts and decrypts disc image boot logo to a file.
• Extracts files/data from obfuscated games.
• Generates XML in strict LBA order preserving timestamps (or can sort by dir for pretty output).
• Generates a standard XML project when given a directory instead of a file.

Limitations

• Doesn't support fragmented disc images.
• Doesn't support CD images (.bin/.cue); use mkpsxiso instead.

Binary Download

Releases for Windows, Linux and macOS (built by github CI)

Compiling

1. Set up Git, CMake and a compiler toolchain. Install the git, cmake and build-essential packages provided by your Linux distro, or one of the following kits on Windows:

   • MSVC Build Tools (do not install CMake through its installer, download it from here instead) and Git
   • MSYS2 (use the "UCRT64" shell) with the following packages: mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-toolchain, mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-cmake, git

2. Git clone the repository and then cd into the mkps2iso directory:

   git clone https://github.com/N4gtan/mkps2iso.git
   cd mkps2iso

3. Run the following commands to configure and build the project:

   cmake --preset release
   cmake --build --preset release

   Optionally you can install the build files with the following command:

   cmake --install ./build

Note

Installation to default paths needs administrative privileges.

Default installation path is C:\Program Files (x86)\mkps2iso on Windows or /usr/local/bin on Linux.
You can change it to any directory by passing --install-prefix to the first command.

Issues

No known issues yet.

Credits

• John Wilbert Villamor (Lameguy64) - The creator of mkpsxiso.
• Silent (CookiePLMonster) - Major contributor and maintainer of mkpsxiso.
• All the contributors of the original project.
• Mathias Lafeldt (mlafeldt) - For the PS2 boot logo and master disc documentation written by loser.

Changelog

Version 1.1.0 (31/3/2026)

• Added support for generating Master Disc sectors.
• Added support for Dual-Layer disc images.
• Added support for automatic and custom boot logo generation.
• Fixed mkps2iso generating incomplete FID sectors.
• Fixed dumps2iso not creating the root folder if the image doesn't have subfolders.
• Minor fixes/changes.

Version 1.0.0 (26/2/2026)

• Initial release.