PlayStation 5 emulators
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| The original PlayStation 5 console with optical drive, and DualSense controller | |
| Developer | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sony, Foxconn |
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Ninth |
| Release date | November 12, 2020 |
| Predecessor | PlayStation 4 |
| Emulated | ✗ |
The PlayStation 5 (officially called shorthand PS5) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced in 2018 as the successor to the PlayStation 4, the PS5 was released by Sony on November 12, 2020, in most countries.
The platform launched in two varieties: a base model with an Ultra HD Blu-ray-compatible optical disc drive that retailed for $499 ($621 in 2026) and a Digital Edition lacking this drive that retailed for $399 ($497 in 2026), serving as a lower-cost variant for consumers who prefer to buy games through digital download.
It uses a custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 processor running at 3.5 GHz, supported by 16 GB/256-bit GDDR6 VRAM, with 512 MB of DDR4 RAM for background tasks (also used as an SSD controller cache). It is the first PlayStation console to use an SSD by default for storage.
Sony released a more powerful mid-generation edition of the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation 5 Pro, similarly to what they did in the previous console generation.[2]
From an emulation viewpoint, the PS5 is the least interesting PlayStation ever, due to its relative lack of exclusives thanks to Sony's current stream of usually decent PC ports and the overall ease of cross-platform development, with both PlayStation, Xbox, and PCs having x86-64 CPUs and capable graphics APIs such as DirectX 12 and Vulkan. Nonetheless, basic research is underway. The console’s CPU architecture is very similar to that of a PS4, so a PS4 emulator may support the PS5 in the future, similarly to how Dolphin supports Wii while originally being a GameCube emulator - granted, said emulator would have to emulate/translate GCN, RDNA 1, RDNA 2, and RDNA 3/4 if they choose to support the PS5 Pro.
Emulators and Compatibility layers
| Name | Platform(s) | Latest version | PS5 Pro | Compatibility | License | Active | Recommended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | |||||||||
| KytyPS5 |   
|
git | ✗ | 20+ games working | GPLv2 (Copyleft) | ✓ | ✗ | ||
| sharpemu |
|
git | ? | 2 games working | GPLv2 (Copyleft) | ✓ | ✗ | ||
| RPCSX |
|
git Dev builds | ✗ | N/A | GPLv2 (Copyleft) | ✓ | ✗ | ||
| Kyty |
|
git | ✗ | N/A | MIT (Permissive) | ✗ | ✗ | ||
| CraziiEmu |
|
git | ? | 2 games working | GPLv2 (Copyleft) | ✓ | ✗ | ||
| prosper |
|
git | ? | boots multiple games | N/A | ✓ | ✗ | ||
| Prosperity | 
|
git | ? | N/A | GPLv2 (Copyleft) | ✓ | ✗ | ||
Comparisons
- Kyty
- A compatibility layer for the PS4 and PS5 by InoriRus, the creator of Short Waves. It was in the early stages of development. Can boot some lightweight PS4 games and PS5 homebrews with graphical output.
- KytyPS5
- A PlayStation 5 compatibility for Windows, macOS, and Linux based off of Kyty. The project is still in an early stage of development. KytyPS5 can boot 2D games and some 3D games.
- Sharpemu
- SharpEmu is an experimental PlayStation 5 compatibility layer written in C# for Windows, with experimental builds for macOS and Linux. At this stage, the emulator can boot Demon's Souls. Development is currently focused on the shader translator and graphics pipeline. [1].
- craziiEmu
- A fork of Sharpemu which adds improvements currently not seen in the official SharpEmu repository, such as a different user interface.
- prosper
- Prosper by mattias800 is another compatibility layer for Windows/macOS/Linux. It is highly not recommended you use this emulator due to it being almost completely AI generated.
- Prosperity
- Prosperity, originally launched as PS4Delta in 2019, is a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 emulator for Linux and Android. Windows support is planned for a later release. On AMD64 hosts, the CPU runs without emulation. On ARM hosts, FEX is used to execute the CPU code. The GPU is fully emulated, with graphics code recompiled to SPIR-V. Graphics output is handled through Vulkan and SDL3.
Enhancements
| Name | N/A | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics | Resizable Internal Resolution | ||||||||
| Texture Replacement | |||||||||
| Ultrawide hack Widescreen already supported on PlayStation 5 system. But there is no support by system for render games in other ratios such as ultrawide 21:9 or super ultrawide 32:9. |
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| Ray-tracing (DXR, VRT and MRT) |
Ray-tracing already supported on PlayStation 5. But there are ways to improve path-tracing implementation even further like increasing ray length or more rays per light source etc. | ||||||||
| Pre-rendering AA (MSAA, SSAA) |
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| Super-resolution techniques (DLSS, XeSS and FSR 2+) |
FSR 3 is already supported on PlayStation 5. On top of that the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro revision will include support for a new super-resolution technique called PSSR.[3] | ||||||||
| RTX Remix | Implementing RTX Remix technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future. | ||||||||
| Performance | Overclock | ||||||||
| Internal Framerate Hack | |||||||||
| Frame generation technologies (LSFG, DLSS-FG and SM, XeSS-FG, AFMF and FSR FG) |
AFMF is (technically) already supported on PlayStation 5. | ||||||||
| Rendering latency reduction technologies (LatencyFleX, Reflex,  Xe-LL and Anti-Lag+)
|
While most emulators offer frame pacing or framebuffer latency control options, implementing rendering latency reduction technologies isn't currently feasible. This is likely doesn't offer enough benefit to justify the development effort. | ||||||||
| Post-Processing | Post-rendering AA (FXAA, TXAA and MLAA/SMAA) |
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| Post-rendering scaling (Sharp bilinear, Lanczos and FSR 1) |
FSR 3 is already supported on PlayStation 5. | ||||||||
| Filters | |||||||||
| AI-powered filter (Freestyle) |
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| Shader chain | |||||||||
| Inverse tone mapping compatible | PlayStation 5 system already supports HDR in some games. | ||||||||
| TAS features | Macros/Scripts/Lua | ||||||||
| Rewind | |||||||||
| Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed | |||||||||
| Savestates | |||||||||
| Movie recording/playback | |||||||||
| Controls | Mouse Injector Compatible | ||||||||
| Input lag-mitigating technique | |||||||||
| Turbo button | |||||||||
| Real peripheral support (Passthrough) Ability to passthrough USB HID devices or Bluetooth adapter for emulated system. |
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| Disguise peripheral support through Passthrough Tricking the software into think that the original controller was connected even those identify themselves with different device IDs. When a game tries to identify a connected 'nearly the same internally' controller, emulator will tell it that the equivalent original controller is connected instead, allowing it to work. |
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| Quality of life | Pause/Resume Emulation | ||||||||
| SDL backend support Provides controller plug-and-play and automatic input mapping through SDL GameController database. |
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| Streamable compression format | |||||||||
| Built-in mod editor and manager | |||||||||
| Built-in save manager | |||||||||
| Built-in Cheat Manager | |||||||||
| Built-in Patch Manager | |||||||||
| Per-Game Profiles | |||||||||
| Command-Line Options | |||||||||
| Built-in Custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes For using this on Windows OS you need CRT Emudriver. Another option is using EDID editor tool such as "Custom Resolution Utility". |
N/A Eighth gen home consoles and beyond only have digital video output anyway. | ||||||||
| Big Picture Mode | |||||||||
| Automatic Updater | |||||||||
| Portable and Stealth Useful enhancement feature for non-personal computer use or plug-and-play scenarios. However, the software may still require the necessary prerequisites and dependencies for your operating system if it is not statically linked. |
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| Misc | RetroAchievements | ||||||||
| Rich Presence (RPC) Allows the emulator to share real-time game session details (e.g., current game title, level, boss, playtime, or custom status) with external applications. This enables features such as displaying what you're playing on your profile, inviting friends to spectate, or triggering join-in-progress functionality where supported. |
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| EmuVR support | Exclusive to libretro cores. So there is no support at the moment. | ||||||||
| Ambient sounds simulation Simulation of audio from original hardware and environments, such as mechanical hard drive, floppy diskette, and optical drive noises (e.g., head seeks, spin-up/down, tray loading, disc spinning, and clicking), variable CRT flyback transformer whine (the classic high-pitched "coil whine" that dynamically changes pitch based on screen brightness and content), arcade cabinet effects (e.g., fan hum or button rattles), and other background ambient noises. |
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| Screen translator Using optical character recognition (OCR) and other techniques, this feature can provide live translation of in-game text, text-to-speech for visually impaired users, and more — either on demand or automatically. |
You can use RetroArch's AI Service or the standalone offline bquenin's Interpreter. | ||||||||
| Free Look Free Look is a enhancement feature that allows manipulation of the in-game camera. |
While freecam would be technically possible, it will require per-game patches. Said patches would require a significant amount of time to reverse the game's engine, which means that only someone talented with enough dedication to a single game could do it. | ||||||||
| Debug Features | |||||||||
Hardware features and peripherals
| Hardware features | N/A | |
|---|---|---|
| System software | Home screen and apps | |
| Trophies | ||
| Backwards compatibility |
PlayStation 2 emulation (incl. PS2 Classics) |
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| PlayStation emulation (incl. PSOne Classics) |
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| PSP emulation for Digital PSP titles | ||
| PlayStation 4 (inc. Game Boost) | ||
| Input | Adaptive triggers | |
| Haptic feedback | ||
| Built-in speaker | ||
| Built-in microphone | ||
| Motion controls | ||
| Touchpad | ||
| Light Bar | ||
| DS Edge's Back Buttons mapping | ||
| PlayStation Network (including PlayStation Now) |
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| LAN Tunneling | ||
| Tempest Engine 3D audio technology | ||
| HDR | ||
| Ultra HD Blu-ray drive | ||
| PS4 Save File Transfer | ||
| Peripherals | ||
| Controller | DualSense | |
| DualShock 4 | ||
| USB Keyboard & Mouse | ||
| WebCam | PlayStation Camera | |
| HD Camera | ||
| Motion | PlayStation VR2 | |
| PlayStation VR | ||
| PlayStation Move | ||
| Aim Controller | ||
| Remote Control | ||
| Pulse 3D wireless headset | ||
| Rock Band peripherals | ||
| PS5 Pro exclusive features | ||
| PS5 Pro-enhanced games | ||
| PS5 Pro version of the Game Boost feature | ||
Home screen and apps
PlayStation Home Menu is a graphical user interface developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. You can launch various applications from this interface as well.
- No emulator supports this at the moment.
Trophies
Trophies are PlayStation Network awards presented to players for completing specific tasks in a game. The feature is present in most PlayStation 3 games, and all PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games.[4] Trophies shouldn't be confused with RetroAchievements.
LAN Tunneling
- Also see computer programs such as XBSlink, SVDL and XLink Kai allow users to play multiplayer for LAN supported games by using a network configuration that simulates a worldwide LAN.
Ultra HD Blu-ray drive
PlayStation 5 (Pro) supports BD-Video and DVD-Video and thanks to Ultra HD Blu-ray drive it also supports UHD-BD. However it does not have the capability to play VCDs, additionally, the format is not supported by the consoles system software.
Sony discontinued all manufacturing of physical media games for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in January 2028. Physical disc production ending in January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles – PlayStation.Blog
- See this dedicated page for more information about home media playback support for emulation softwares.
- See Ripping games.
- See Disc Drive emulation.
- Also see psdevwiki: multimedia support
PlayStation 5 Pro
| |
| File:PlayStation 5 Pro no disc drive.jpg | |
| PS5 Pro with visible black "gills" on the sides | |
| Developer | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sony, Foxconn |
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Ninth |
| Release date | November 7, 2024 |
| Predecessor | PlayStation 4 |
| Emulated | ✗ |
The PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) was released on September 10, 2024, following industry rumors since March 2024. While the CPU remains the same, the GPU now has dedicated machine learning hardware (300 INT8 Tops) for PSSR upscaling and is around 45% better at typical gaming tasks such as rasterization and ray tracing. https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps5/ps5-pro/
PS5 Pro-exclusive features
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps5/ps5-pro/
PS5 Pro-enhanced games
PS5 Pro version of the Game Boost feature
PlayStation Portal
The PlayStation Portal (Codenamed Project Q during development) is an accessory to the PS5 which uses a modified version of Android 13 with a Snapdragon 662 system-on-chip. It is made for streaming games and media from a PS5. It was launched in November 15th of 2023. https://www.playstation.com/en-us/accessories/playstation-portal-remote-player/
External links
- DigitalFoundry: PlayStation 5 Backwards Compatibility Tested
