Canadian reverse-engineering hobbyist DiscoStarslayer said he has finally extracted firmware from the PlayStation 2's early-model MechaCon security chip after four years of work. The chip handles disc authentication, MagicGate memory card checks, and decryption for KELF encrypted executables. According to the report, no one had fully dumped the firmware from these early PS2 units in the 26 years since the console launched. DiscoStarslayer said the process involved decapping the chip, producing optical dumps, and eventually finding a software-based method to read the firmware. He credited developer Libby with identifying the exploit from incomplete optical data. A GitHub list created on Sept. 14 and updated through Sept. 16 shows 22 firmware entries with SHA-256 hashes and build dates, covering most early fat PS2 models from the SCPH-15000 to SCPH-39000 series, as well as Namco's System 246 and 256 arcade boards. The firmware files themselves were not released. The earliest v1 firmware, including the launch-era Japanese SCPH-10000, remains unread. Participants said the dump does not newly unlock game content and is likely to be more useful for emulator development, hardware research, and repair-related work than for piracy.

The White House on Sept. 3 launched Arcade, a new section on arcade.gov featuring five retro-style browser games built around Trump administration themes including the border wall, deportation and the so-called Trump Account. The games themselves were only part of the reaction. Most of the criticism focused on a promotional video that swapped SEGA's startup logo for "MAGA" while keeping the familiar "SE-GA" audio cue that Japanese players immediately recognized. Japanese outlets including GameSpark and Automaton said the clip appeared to reuse SEGA's long-running sound trademark, first used in a 1983 Japanese commercial for the SG-1000. Automaton also reported that the music included Sonic the Hedgehog's Green Hill Zone, while the broader campaign referenced startup sequences associated with GameCube, PS2 and Xbox 360. Nikkei and AFP said it remains unclear whether the White House had authorization from SEGA, which had not issued a public response by press time. The controversy lands after earlier complaints from Japan over the use of Japanese game and anime IP in U.S. political messaging. Japan's Foreign Ministry had already asked the U.S. side twice this year to stop using works including Naruto, Pokemon and Mario in social posts, according to the report.

A roundup of the worst PS2 games shows how failed movie tie-ins, poor controls, weak graphics, and shallow design hurt even one of gaming’s most iconic platforms, offering a cautionary lesson on quality and IP-driven development.

A new retrospective highlights 10 of the worst PS2 games, from failed movie tie-ins to poorly designed action titles. The list shows how weak gameplay, bad controls, technical flaws, and controversial content can damage even well-known brands.

A wallet linked to Ross Ulbricht received 300 BTC worth about $31.4 million, but on-chain investigators say the funds may trace back to dormant wallets tied to old Silk Road activity through the Jambler mixer, raising questions over whether it was truly a donation.

A 300 BTC transfer worth about $31.4 million to a wallet linked to Ross Ulbricht has sparked controversy. Blockchain investigators say the funds passed through Jambler and may trace back to old Silk Road-linked wallets, raising questions about ownership, compliance, and market impact.

Ross Ulbricht received 300 BTC ($31.4M) after Bitcoin 2025, but on-chain sleuth ZachXBT traced the funds through mixer Jambler from wallets dormant since 2014/2019, linked to Silk Road history. Community debates self-donation vs. genuine gift.

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT traced a $31.4M donation to Ross Ulbricht back to dormant wallets linked to Silk Road via a centralized mixer Jambler, sparking debate over whether it was a self-donation.