Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver 2 can run on Windows and Linux through REDRIVER2, an unofficial reimplementation by the OpenDriver2 project. It is not an official PC release or an emulator: the developers say they disassembled the game and translated it from MIPS to C. You must provide both original Driver 2 CDs; the project does not distribute the game data. The latest release listed is version 8.0, labeled a “Stable release candidate” and dated July 2, 2026.
What REDRIVER2 is—and what it is not
REDRIVER2 is a reverse-engineered reimplementation of Driver 2, rather than an official PC port from the original publisher. OpenDriver2 describes the project as translating the game from MIPS to C, allowing it to run on Windows and Linux without emulation. The project history records the game as fully playable in September 2020. OpenDriver2 project repository
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Driver 2 - PlayStation | $23.78 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
ATARI Driver 1 and 2 Compilation - PlayStation | $60.91 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Driver Parallel Lines - PlayStation 2 (Renewed) | $59.38 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pro Race Driver - PlayStation 2 (Renewed) | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Driver Parallel Lines - PlayStation 2 | $53.89 | Buy on Amazon |
That distinction matters: REDRIVER2 supplies the code that runs the game, but not the copyrighted game contents. You need both original discs and must create disc images for the installation. If buying a used copy, check that the listing includes both discs and that their serials match a supported English release; current listings and their completeness can vary.
Which Driver 2 discs are supported?
The installation guide lists full support for these English releases:
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#1 Best Overall
- Take the role of racecar driver-turned-police detective Tanner
- Drive like a bat out of hell in four different city settings
- Action now takes place on foot, as well as behind the wheel
- One- and two-player minigames add replay value
- "Film director" option lets players edit their own car-chase sequences
| Region and language | Supported disc serials |
|---|---|
| PAL EU English | SLES-02993 / SLES-12993; SLES-02993-P / SLES-12993-P |
| NTSC US English | SLUS-01161 / SLUS-01318; SLUS-01161GH / SLUS-01318GH |
The guide describes support for other languages as future work, so these serials should not be treated as a guarantee that every regional or language version will work. Check the current installation instructions against your discs before setting up.
How to install REDRIVER2 on Windows
The project’s Windows guide provides a launcher setup wizard and a manual method. Both require disc images of CD1 and CD2, and Java is required. Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable may also be needed.
Rank #2
- In the original Driver, you'll have to work your way up in the criminal underworld, by pulling off the most dangerous missions and coming out alive
- Perform wild stunt maneuvers in the fastest cars, to avoid the law in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco
- Earn the trust & respect of your fellow criminals, to get the evidence you need
- Take another ride on the wild side in Driver 2 - you're caught in the middle as two rival gangs compete for turf
- New cars & driving challenges - curved road systems, proper sliproads, exit-ramp systems and more
- Create images of both original CDs. Dump CD1 and CD2 as ISO or BIN/CUE files. Keep the images together and note where you saved them.
- Get the Windows release. Use the project’s REDRIVER2 releases page and follow its Windows setup instructions.
- Choose a setup route. In the launcher wizard, select the CD1 and CD2 images when prompted. For manual setup, put the images in the installation directory and configure the CD1 image path as described in the guide.
- Convert the FMV/XA files. Run the conversion batch file included with the setup, following the guide’s instructions.
- Launch the game. Start REDRIVER2 from the launcher or executable. If it fails to start, check that both images are present and correctly configured, Java is installed, and—if prompted—the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is available.
How to install REDRIVER2 on Linux
The Linux route uses the same two disc images and requires Java, SDL2, and OpenAL. The project guide gives package-manager examples for Ubuntu and Fedora/RHEL; use its current package names and commands for your distribution.
- Install the prerequisites. Install SDL2 and OpenAL using the package-manager instructions for your Linux distribution, and make sure Java is available.
- Get the Linux project files. Download the relevant release from the releases page.
- Provide both disc images. Dump the original CDs to ISO or BIN/CUE and make them available to the setup process.
- Run the conversion script. Follow the installation guide to run the supplied FMV/XA conversion shell script.
- Start REDRIVER2. Launch the REDRIVER2 binary as directed by the guide. If startup fails, verify dependencies and image paths before retrying.
These steps follow the project’s installation guide, which can change as releases and dependencies are updated.
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Rank #3
- Authentic Hollywood-style action-racing in over 35 missions
- Race in open environments, with multiple paths to completion
- Control 80 drivable, customizable vehicles, with an unmatched vehicle damage system - Cars, bikes, and trucks
- Experience 2 distinct time periods in a photorealistic NYC
- Open mission structure as well as online play features
What is new in version 8.0?
The releases page lists REDRIVER2 8.0, dated July 2, 2026, as a “Stable release candidate”—not a final release. Its developer-reported changes include 64-bit platform support, higher-resolution fonts, dynamic lighting from street lights, and restored lights and birds. The notes also list fixes affecting cutscenes, crashes, audio, texture artifacts, and high CPU use in the main menu. These are project release notes, not independent performance test results. The release notes also say Flatpak releases were removed and Linux builds can run directly on the 64-bit ABI. REDRIVER2 releases
How REDRIVER2 differs from the original game
The project documents some changes to behavior and menus. On PC, campaign progress saves automatically, and players can enter score names with a keyboard. The original memory-card menu was removed. For the full list, see the project’s changes from Driver 2 v1.0.
Rank #4
REDRIVER2 or a PlayStation emulator?
REDRIVER2 is the native reimplementation option documented here: it runs on Windows and Linux without emulation, but its setup requires both original CDs, compatible disc versions, and platform-specific installation steps. The cited project documentation does not establish whether it is faster, easier to set up, more compatible, or better-looking than playing the PlayStation release through an emulator. Choose based on whether you want to follow the project’s supported setup path or use an emulator with your own game data.
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