HD Loader

HD Loader was a popular homebrew application for the PlayStation 2 (PS2) console. It allowed users to play PlayStation 2 games directly from the console's internal hard drive, bypassing the need to use the physical game discs. This offered benefits such as faster loading times and reduced wear and tear on the console's disc drive.

HD Loader typically required the PlayStation 2 to be modded with a modchip or softmod, which allowed unsigned code (such as HD Loader) to be executed. The application itself was installed on the hard drive, along with the games. Games were often transferred to the hard drive using a utility on a PC and then transferred to the PS2 via the network or by physically removing the hard drive and connecting it to the PC.

The use of HD Loader and similar applications was generally considered a gray area in terms of copyright law, as it facilitated the playing of games without using the original physical media. Its popularity stemmed from the convenience it offered and the extended lifespan it potentially gave to the PS2 console's disc drive.

HD Loader was eventually succeeded by other similar programs and methods, such as Open PS2 Loader (OPL), which offered improved compatibility and additional features.