Modder tschicki has built a custom PlayStation 2 handheld using original console chips on a newly designed motherboard, with built-in controls, a 3D-printed housing and USB-C charging. Tschicki says the device, called the PS2 Portable, plays most PS2 games natively through homebrew software.
Tschicki says development began in 2022, and posted a release announcement on November 29, 2025. The released project files include circuit-board designs, mechanical models, firmware, FPGA code, bills of materials and assembly documentation. The project documentation identifies its hardware, firmware and FPGA code as MIT-licensed.
Original chips on a custom motherboard
Tschicki’s documentation describes a motherboard that reuses six integrated circuits salvaged from SCPH-7900x or SCPH-9000x slim PS2 systems. An RP2040-based system controller handles charging, power management and monitoring, while a custom DualShock 2 controller emulator supports the handheld’s controls and rumble.
The documented video system uses a Trion T20 FPGA to take digital RGB output directly from the Graphics Synthesizer and drive a 5-inch 480×800 IPS display. Its processing features include deinterlacing, line doubling and scaling, with support for specified PS2 video modes at 50 Hz and 60 Hz.
The housing design consists of an outer shell and an internal frame intended for 3D printing. Listed components include Nintendo Switch hall-effect analog sticks, PS Vita 2000 face buttons, a custom aluminum heatsink and a Nintendo Switch Lite fan with a configurable fan curve.
Tschicki specifies two 5000mAh 21700 battery cells in a series-connected pack rated at 37Wh and estimates about 4.5 hours of runtime per charge. The project lists USB-C Power Delivery charging at 5V, 9V and 15V, with support for playing while connected to a charger.
Homebrew software and storage
The customized boot ROM is designed to launch PS2BBL directly into homebrew software. Tschicki lists Open PS2 Loader and NHDDL as options for PS2 playback; NHDDL launches games through Neutrino.
The two miniaturized memory-card slots use SD-card sockets. The project documentation lists compatibility with custom PS2 memory cards, SD cards using MX4SIO and a compact SD2PSX implementation called uSD2PSX, which supports game storage and saves.
Tschicki also lists PS1 support through DKWDRV. That software’s documentation describes it as beta and lists USB-loading limitations, including missing XA/CDDA audio and no disc swapping.
Assembly requirements and reported faults
Tschicki warns that reproducing the handheld requires substantial equipment and comprehensive electronics, soldering and troubleshooting skills, preferably with programming experience. The assembly documentation requires builders to compile the system-controller and gamepad firmware and describes tools for programming and debugging the microcontrollers and FPGA.
The creator also documents a real-time clock that drifts by about seven seconds a day and LCD image retention associated with static, persistently flickering elements. Tschicki says the image-retention issue was observed in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
