Enable PCSX2 cheats (PNach)

PCSX2 handles cheats through PNach files — small text files named after a game’s CRC that the emulator reads from its Cheats folder. PCSX2 does not ship cheat codes; you add the file for the game you want, then toggle codes from the cheat list. This works in both the stable and Nightly builds.

Set up PNach cheats

1. Enable cheats in settings
   Open Settings and tick Enable Cheats. Until this is on, PCSX2 ignores the Cheats folder entirely, which is the most common reason cheats appear to do nothing.
   Enable Cheats is checked and the Cheats window is available from the menu.
2. Find the game's CRC
   The CRC is an eight-character code PCSX2 shows in the title bar, the console log, or the game's properties. Your PNach file must be named with exactly this CRC (for example 0AABBCCD.pnach) or PCSX2 will not match it to the game.
   You have the CRC and a file named CRC.pnach in the Cheats folder.
3. Write or paste the patch codes
   A PNach file starts with a comment line, then one or more patch=1 lines that describe the memory address and value. Use codes written for your game's region and version. The file is plain text — the emulator parses it on boot.
   The file is valid plain text with at least one patch line.
4. Toggle codes from the cheat list
   Restart the game or reopen the Cheats window, then tick the codes you want. PCSX2 applies enabled cheats as the game runs. Turn off any code that crashes the game or causes graphical errors and re-test.
   Enabled codes show checked and their effect appears in game.

Stay safe

Cheats patch live memory, so a wrong address or a code for the wrong version can freeze PCSX2 or corrupt a save. Back up your memory cards before enabling cheats, and remove all codes if a game starts misbehaving. The cheat system only modifies how a game you already own runs — it never provides the game itself.