The AI PS2 Filter trend exploded in early 2024, fueled by generative AI tools that can replicate the specific aesthetic of early 2000s console graphics. Characterized by slightly blurred textures, low-polygon models, and that distinct 'pre-rendered' lighting, the filter turns ordinary selfies into NPCs or protagonists from the PlayStation 2 era. It draws heavily on nostalgia for iconic titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Metal Gear Solid. The meme is widely used to imagine what celebrities, friends, or even pets would look like as unlockable characters in a vintage video game, often accompanied by the console's iconic ambient startup sound.