linux

There already exists a modern Linux kernel port supporting Gentoo to the PS2. https://github.com/frno7/linux The SPC970 MechaCon dumps don't add anything additional, as previous memory card/hard disk drive/disc based exploits will work with the above port. In addition, PS2 Linux based on Linux 2.2 and PSBBN based on Linux 2.2.19/heavily patched MontaVista/Hard Hat Linux 2.4.17 exist. Additionally unofficial ports for Linux 2.6 and 3.8 also exist: https://gitlab.com/ps2max/linux

Someone did a port to a newer Linux base, and upstreaming is in progress: https://github.com/frno7/linux

There is a work-in-progress port of the newer Linux 5.x kernel to the PS2: https://github.com/frno7/linux

With the PlayStation 2 you can run Linux on MIPS[1], though it's a highly nonstandard MIPS; you'll need to get a memory card with FreeMcBoot. Plus, even if you plan to do embedded development, the PS2 is much more documented than the PS1. As for a "more traditional computing" experience, you can always look for an SGI. RISC-V borrows heavily from MIPS, so the two have a pretty similar development experience. [1]: https://github.com/frno7/linux or else source the official PS2 Linux Kit.