bucanero / apollo-ps2

Apollo Save Tool (PS2)

Apollo Save Tool (PS2)

Apollo Save Tool is an application to manage save-game files on the PlayStation 2.

This homebrew app allows you to download, unlock, patch and resign save-game files directly on your PS2.

Comments, ideas, suggestions? You can contact me on Twitter and on my website.

Features

• Easy to use: no advanced setup needed.
• Standalone: no computer required, everything happens on the PS2.
• Automatic settings: auto-detection of User settings.

Save Management

• Save files listing: quick access to all the save files on Memory Cards and external devices (+ file details)
• Save files patching: complete support for Save Wizard and Bruteforce Save Data cheat patches to enhance your save-games.
• Save import/export: allows the user export save files to .PSU, .PSV, .CBS formats, and import saves from other tools and consoles (.PSU, .PSV, .CBS, .MAX, .XPS, .SPS supported).

Virtual Memory Card (VMC) Management

• VMC saves listing: quick access to all save files on Virtual Memory Cards images (+ file details)
• VMC saves import/export: allows the user export saves on VMC images to .PSU, .PSV formats, and import saves to VMCs from other tools and consoles (.PSU, .PSV supported).

Download

Get the latest version here.

Changelog

See the latest changes here.

Donations

My GitHub projects are open to a sponsor program. If you feel that my tools helped you in some way or you would like to support it, you can consider a PayPal donation.

Setup instructions

No special setup is needed. Just download the latest apollo-ps2.zip package and install APOLLO.ELF on your PlayStation 2. On first run, the application will detect and setup the required user settings.

Data folders

PS2

PS2	Folder
External saves	your saves must be stored on <mass/host/cdfs>:/PS2/SAVEDATA/.
Memory Card saves	save-games will be scanned from mc0:/ and mc1:/.
Virtual Memory Cards	VMC images will be scanned from <mass/host>:/VMC/ and /PS2/VMC/.

Usage

Using the application is simple and straight-forward:

• Move UP/DOWN to select the save-game file you want to patch, and press . The patch screen will show the available fixes for the file. Select the patches and click Apply.
• To view the item's details, press . It will open the context menu on the screen. Press to return to the list.
• To reload the list, press .
• Press L1/L2 or R1/R2 trigger buttons to move pages up or down.

FAQs

1. Where I can get a save-game for XYZ game?

   You can check sites like Brewology.com, and GameFAQs. Also, searching on Google might help.

2. I have a save-game file that I want to share. How can I upload it?

   If you have a save file that is not currently available on the Online Database and want to share it, please check this link for instructions.

3. Why is it called Apollo?

   Apollo was the twin brother of Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Since this project was born using the Artemis-GUI codebase, I decided to respect that heritage by calling it Apollo.

Credits

• Bucanero: Project developer

Acknowledgments

• Dnawrkshp: Artemis PS3
• Berion: GUI design
• jimmikaelkael: ps3mca tool
• aldostools: Bruteforce Save Data
• PiNk/abyss: Background music track

Building

You need to have installed:

• PS2 SDK
• Apollo library
• cURL library
• PolarSSL library
• libZip library
• dbglogger library

Run cmake . && make to create a release build. If you want to include the latest save patches in your .zip file, run make createzip.

To enable debug logging, pass -DAPOLLO_ENABLE_LOGGING=ON argument to cmake. The application will send debug messages to UDP multicast address 239.255.0.100:30000. To receive them you can use socat on your computer:

$ socat udp4-recv:30000,ip-add-membership=239.255.0.100:0.0.0.0 -

License

Apollo Save Tool (PS2) - Copyright (C) 2020-2024 Damian Parrino

This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

apollo-ps2's Issues

app freeze when importing saves to VMC if list is empty

Settings are not saved if folder doesn't exist on mc0

App settings are not saved if the APOLLO-99PS2 folder doesn't exist on mc0:/

Warn/Skip system folder saves

Apollo should skip/ignore/warn users trying to manage:

BAEXEC-SYSTEM
BIEXEC-SYSTEM
BEEXEC-SYSTEM
BCEXEC-SYSTEM
BAEXEC-DVDPLAYER
BIEXEC-DVDPLAYER
BEEXEC-DVDPLAYER
BCEXEC-DVDPLAYER

these folders have KELF linked to the memcard ID, so they won't work on any other memcard.

FTP transfer

Can you transfer savefiles from ps2 to ps3 and vice versa via a crosslink cable?

I mean .vme files from ps2 classics on ps3 that go to real ps2 and then decrypt it to use on real ps2?

Requirements for first release

UI

• handle ps2 pad
• render UI screen properly
  • 640x480 resolution
  • adjust images, resources and layout
  • add progress bar to import/export tasks
• save/load settings
• handle dialogs

Core

• handle memory cards (mc0, mc1)
• handle external storage (mass)
• support ps2 formats (max, cbs, psu, +++)
• handle bulk management options
  • import raw folders and packed saves
  • export raw folders and PSU/PSV format

Test

• check app on real hardware

add PS1 virtual memcard manager

PS1 games on PS2 using POPstarter use VMC virtual memcards.
Let Apollo manage, import/export saves inside those VMC images.

• VMC folders: /POPS/GameName/
• File names: SLOT0.VMC for first slot and SLOT1.VMC for second slot.

fix improper screen rendering

it seems there's an issue with alpha channel blending that creates a "really bright" image on the main menu screen.

Add option to remove ps2 saves from VMCs

Apollo-Ps2 and Matrix Infinty - black screen

Apollo-Ps2 is not working on a SCPH-50004 with latest Matrix Infinity 1.93 and latest LaunchElf isr. All i got is a black screen that freeze the console.

Add networking support

Add network support (to match features available on other platforms)

• enable network (get IP)
• integrate cURL library
• enable Online DB
• version update check