Difference between revisions of "PlayStation emulators"
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(→Emulation issues: Deleted speculation and redundant lines. PSX -> PS1.) |
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| − | [[File:PSX.jpg|thumb|250px|The Sony | + | [[File:PSX.jpg|thumb|250px|The Sony PlayStation (PS1/PSX)]] |
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| + | The '''[[gametech:PlayStation|PlayStation]]''' (known shorthand as PS1 or PSX) is a 5th generation console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1994. It was a commercial success in part to being relatively easy to program for compared to others at the time, and because its CD based media was cheaper than the competition. | ||
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
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| style="text-align: center;"|✗ | | style="text-align: center;"|✗ | ||
| style="text-align: center;"|Plugin dependent | | style="text-align: center;"|Plugin dependent | ||
| − | | style="text-align: center;"|✓<!-- Around the same accuracy and everything as | + | | style="text-align: center;"|✓<!-- Around the same accuracy and everything as PCSX-R, but has less features (GTE, widescreen, native controller plugin support). No reason to say use this over that when it's the same, but with less things.(08/19/14)PCSX-R has had major regressions on Windows for awhile now with no signs of it improving, widescreen hacks don't mean much to people not using a widescreen monitor or who don't want to evoke even more buggy emulation, all in all ePSXe is far more stable currently at the cost of a few minor features, hard to recommend PCSX-R over ePSXe at this point.--> |
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: center;"|[[PCSX-R]] | | style="text-align: center;"|[[PCSX-R]] | ||
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| style="text-align: center;"|✗ | | style="text-align: center;"|✗ | ||
| style="text-align: center;"|Mid | | style="text-align: center;"|Mid | ||
| − | | style="text-align: center;"|✗<!-- Even toasters can run | + | | style="text-align: center;"|✗<!-- Even toasters can run PCSX-R and Mednafen these days. --> |
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| style="text-align: center;"|[https://code.google.com/p/pcsxgc/downloads/list WiiSX] | | style="text-align: center;"|[https://code.google.com/p/pcsxgc/downloads/list WiiSX] | ||
| − | | style="text-align: center;"|[[Wii]], [[ | + | | style="text-align: center;"|[[Wii]], [[GameCube emulators|GameCube]] |
| style="text-align: center;"|2.1 beta | | style="text-align: center;"|2.1 beta | ||
| style="text-align: center;"|✗ | | style="text-align: center;"|✗ | ||
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| style="text-align: center;"|[[ePSXe]]** | | style="text-align: center;"|[[ePSXe]]** | ||
| style="text-align: center;"|Android | | style="text-align: center;"|Android | ||
| − | | style="text-align: center;"|[ | + | | style="text-align: center;"|[https://forum.mobilism.org/search.php?keywords=epsxe&fid%5B%5D=0&sc=1&sr=topics&sf=titleonly 1.9.28] |
| style="text-align: center;"|✓ | | style="text-align: center;"|✓ | ||
| style="text-align: center;"|✗ | | style="text-align: center;"|✗ | ||
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| style="text-align: center;"|FPse** | | style="text-align: center;"|FPse** | ||
| style="text-align: center;"|Android | | style="text-align: center;"|Android | ||
| − | | style="text-align: center;"|[ | + | | style="text-align: center;"|[https://forum.mobilism.org/search.php?keywords=fpse&fid%5B%5D=0&sc=1&sr=topics&sf=titleonly 0.11.168] |
| style="text-align: center;"|✓ | | style="text-align: center;"|✓ | ||
| style="text-align: center;"|✗ | | style="text-align: center;"|✗ | ||
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* [[EPSXe|ePSXe]] is a fairly standard plugin-based emulator. However, it's closed source, so it only gets updates from the main developers. These come sporadically, with some updates being spaced out by more than a year's time. This leads to it being relatively outdated compared to other PlayStation emulators. Since version 1.8.0, ePSXe has been available on Android as a premium (paid) app. | * [[EPSXe|ePSXe]] is a fairly standard plugin-based emulator. However, it's closed source, so it only gets updates from the main developers. These come sporadically, with some updates being spaced out by more than a year's time. This leads to it being relatively outdated compared to other PlayStation emulators. Since version 1.8.0, ePSXe has been available on Android as a premium (paid) app. | ||
| − | * [[PCSX-R]] is actively developed and is open source. Like ePSXe, it is also a plugin-based emulator. It has several enhanced features that ePSXe lacks, as well as support for superior [[Recommended_PSX_Plugins|plugins]], such as LilyPad. Post any issues you find on their [ | + | * [[PCSX-R]] is actively developed and is open source. Like ePSXe, it is also a plugin-based emulator. It has several enhanced features that ePSXe lacks, as well as support for superior [[Recommended_PSX_Plugins|plugins]], such as LilyPad. Post any issues you find on their [https://pcsxr.codeplex.com/workitem/list/basic issue tracker]. The Windows version is largely unmaintained and lacks some newer features that the OS X/Linux versions have. |
* PCSX-ReARMed is essentially the ARM version of PCSX-R, sharing a similar core, but optimized for portable handheld devices. Its biggest draw is its NEON software renderer, which is both fast and accurate, and has the ability to render at a higher resolution without resorting to HLE plugins. | * PCSX-ReARMed is essentially the ARM version of PCSX-R, sharing a similar core, but optimized for portable handheld devices. Its biggest draw is its NEON software renderer, which is both fast and accurate, and has the ability to render at a higher resolution without resorting to HLE plugins. | ||
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===Consoles=== | ===Consoles=== | ||
| − | * POPS (short for PlayStation On PSP System) is the name of the program for the PSP made by Sony for their PSN releases of PS1 games. It utilizes [[PSP Eboots|EBOOTs]], a form of binary file for PSP, instead of bin/cue/etc, which can be made using a converter if desired. Compatibility is very high due to it being made by Sony and the PSP containing a CPU that is very similar to the one found in the PlayStation. This makes it so it isn't purely an emulator, although it does emulate the | + | * POPS (short for PlayStation On PSP System) is the name of the program for the PSP made by Sony for their PSN releases of PS1 games. It utilizes [[PSP Eboots|EBOOTs]], a form of binary file for PSP, instead of bin/cue/etc, which can be made using a converter if desired. Compatibility is very high due to it being made by Sony and the PSP containing a CPU that is very similar to the one found in the PlayStation. This makes it so it isn't purely an emulator, although it does emulate the PS1s GPU. It includes support for multi-disc games (within the one EBOOT). Only native PS1 resolution is supported, with games being stretched as the user wishes to fit the screen. POPS is also available on the PlayStation 2, although compatibility is not as high. The main method of installation is on a hard drive, although this can be changed with a hex editor. Saves occur on the hard drive. |
* PS2PSXe is another PS1 emulator for the PS2, however, this one is unofficial. Compatibility is very low. It is generally recommended to disc swap for the PS2, which in turn will utilize the built-in PS1 hardware available in every PS2. Double swapping (using the same method as a real PS1) is required for PS2s with model numbers SCPH-100xx - SCPH-390xx. | * PS2PSXe is another PS1 emulator for the PS2, however, this one is unofficial. Compatibility is very low. It is generally recommended to disc swap for the PS2, which in turn will utilize the built-in PS1 hardware available in every PS2. Double swapping (using the same method as a real PS1) is required for PS2s with model numbers SCPH-100xx - SCPH-390xx. | ||
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Jittering polygons are caused by low-precision fixed-point (to the native resolution) math. Plugins can attempt to fix this ([[Recommended_PSX_Plugins#Video|GTE Accuracy]]), but it often creates holes in seams. | Jittering polygons are caused by low-precision fixed-point (to the native resolution) math. Plugins can attempt to fix this ([[Recommended_PSX_Plugins#Video|GTE Accuracy]]), but it often creates holes in seams. | ||
| − | The PS1 hardware didn't have a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-buffering z-buffer]. The lack of a z-buffer causes things like polygons popping over others. Tekken character limbs are a good example to see that. It's theoretically possible to implement | + | The PS1 hardware didn't have a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-buffering z-buffer]. The lack of a z-buffer causes things like polygons popping over others. Tekken character limbs are a good example to see that. It's theoretically possible to implement z-buffer in PS1 emulators/GPU plugins.<ref>[https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&u=http://forum.emu-russia.net/viewtopic.php?p=17237 gpuBladeSoft discussion]</ref> |
No texture perspective correction causes distortion to texture angles at certain viewing angles, notably at the bottom near the camera. This could be mitigated with modern texture filtering methods along with perspective-correct texture mapping if implemented into PS1 emulators/GPU plugins. | No texture perspective correction causes distortion to texture angles at certain viewing angles, notably at the bottom near the camera. This could be mitigated with modern texture filtering methods along with perspective-correct texture mapping if implemented into PS1 emulators/GPU plugins. | ||
==Resources== | ==Resources== | ||
| − | * [http:// | + | * [http://ns348841.ip-91-121-109.eu/psxdata/sitenews.html PlayStation DataCenter] - Tons of PS1 related things. Emulator files like plugins, game manuals, game configurations, and many tutorials are just some of things you'll find here. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 10:47, 4 June 2015
The PlayStation (known shorthand as PS1 or PSX) is a 5th generation console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1994. It was a commercial success in part to being relatively easy to program for compared to others at the time, and because its CD based media was cheaper than the competition.
Contents
Emulators
| Name | Operating System(s) | Latest Version | Plugins | Libretro Core | Accuracy | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mednafen | Multi-platform | 1.32.1 | ✗ | ✓ | High | ✓ |
| ePSXe | Windows, Linux | 1.9.25 | ✓ | ✗ | Plugin dependent | ✓ |
| PCSX-R | Multi-platform | SVN (Windows,OS X) | ✓ | ✗ | Plugin dependent | ✓ |
| XEBRA | Windows | 02/15/2015 Build | ✗ | ✗ | High | ✗ |
| pSX | Windows, Linux | 1.13 | ✗ | ✗ | Mid | ✗ |
| NO$PSX | Windows | 1.9 | ✓ | ✗ | Mid | ✗ |
| Name | Operating System(s) | Latest Version | Plugins | Libretro Core | Accuracy | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WiiSX | Wii, GameCube | 2.1 beta | ✗ | ✗ | Low | ✗ |
| POPS | PSP/PS2/Vita | 6.60/r12/2.60 | ✗ | ✗ | Mid-High | ✓ |
| Name | Operating System(s) | Latest Version | Plugins | Libretro Core | Accuracy | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mednafen* | Multi-platform | 1.32.1 | ✗ | ✓ | High | ✓ |
| PCSX-ReARMed* | iOS, Android | r20 | ✗ | ✓ | Mid | ✓ |
| ePSXe** | Android | 1.9.28 | ✓ | ✗ | Mid | ✗ |
| FPse** | Android | 0.11.168 | ✓ | ✗ | Mid | ✗ |
| XEBRA | Android | 15/02/14 | ✗ | ✗ | ? | ? |
*Only available on mobile as a libretro core (e.g. RetroArch), mednafen needs a high-end phone/tablet to run at full speed.
**Payware, recommended that you use patched versions.
Comparisons
PC
- Mednafen PSX is an emulator focused on accuracy. It is extremely compatible, outdoing even Sony's official PSone emulator in accuracy tests. Do note if you find an exception, though. It requires a very specific BIOS for each region. The minimum system requirement is a Core 2 Duo at 2 GHz clock. Mednafen itself is command line only and has no GUI. There are external GUI launchers available.
- RetroArch has Mednafen PSX as an emulation core and includes its own API features such as superior sync, robust shader support, and an in-game GUI/menu OSD. It's much easier to use than the standalone version, so it's recommended.
- ePSXe is a fairly standard plugin-based emulator. However, it's closed source, so it only gets updates from the main developers. These come sporadically, with some updates being spaced out by more than a year's time. This leads to it being relatively outdated compared to other PlayStation emulators. Since version 1.8.0, ePSXe has been available on Android as a premium (paid) app.
- PCSX-R is actively developed and is open source. Like ePSXe, it is also a plugin-based emulator. It has several enhanced features that ePSXe lacks, as well as support for superior plugins, such as LilyPad. Post any issues you find on their issue tracker. The Windows version is largely unmaintained and lacks some newer features that the OS X/Linux versions have.
- PCSX-ReARMed is essentially the ARM version of PCSX-R, sharing a similar core, but optimized for portable handheld devices. Its biggest draw is its NEON software renderer, which is both fast and accurate, and has the ability to render at a higher resolution without resorting to HLE plugins.
- XEBRA has very high compatibility. Games that require subchannel data are not supported, but most other games run flawlessly. Obtuse user interface as the developer is Japanese, so be prepared. XEBRA requires a BIOS, but an alternate build of it called ARBEX doesn't require one.
- NO$PSX is a well-rounded emulator by the same author of NO$GBA. There are two versions of the emulator; standard users will want to use the cut-down gaming version. It offers decent compatibility with very low spec requirements – the programmer's philosophy is to deliver a working application out of the box. As of today, it's still being developed. PocketStation is emulated through NO$GBA.
- PSXfin is a simple emulator with simple usage. It has a lot of compatibility issues[1]. It requires a BIOS for use, but compatibility with each one is inconsistent. Development has been halted and it remains closed source. It's really only useful for very old toasters.
For even further in-depth analysis of each emulator on a technical level, check out PS1 Tests.
It's generally recommended to use Mednafen or PCSX-R. Many use Mednafen for its accuracy at native resolution, and PCSX-R for 3D games because of support for plugins which allow for better graphics quality than original hardware. Unfortunately the best plugins for increasing internal resolution and shader support (Pete OpenGL2 v2.9 and Edgbla gpuBladesoft v1.42a) are closed source and haven't been updated for years.
Consoles
- POPS (short for PlayStation On PSP System) is the name of the program for the PSP made by Sony for their PSN releases of PS1 games. It utilizes EBOOTs, a form of binary file for PSP, instead of bin/cue/etc, which can be made using a converter if desired. Compatibility is very high due to it being made by Sony and the PSP containing a CPU that is very similar to the one found in the PlayStation. This makes it so it isn't purely an emulator, although it does emulate the PS1s GPU. It includes support for multi-disc games (within the one EBOOT). Only native PS1 resolution is supported, with games being stretched as the user wishes to fit the screen. POPS is also available on the PlayStation 2, although compatibility is not as high. The main method of installation is on a hard drive, although this can be changed with a hex editor. Saves occur on the hard drive.
- PS2PSXe is another PS1 emulator for the PS2, however, this one is unofficial. Compatibility is very low. It is generally recommended to disc swap for the PS2, which in turn will utilize the built-in PS1 hardware available in every PS2. Double swapping (using the same method as a real PS1) is required for PS2s with model numbers SCPH-100xx - SCPH-390xx.
- PlayStation 3 has a built-in software emulator with high compatibility, as it is used for PSN releases of PS1 games, not unlike the PSP.
- WiiSX is a port of PCSX to the Wii. Compatibility is fairly low due to the weak power of the Wii, plus the lack of updates to this emulator mean that it generally isn't worth using. Still the best PS1 emulator on Wii, though, which isn't saying much.
Emulation issues
Several problems occur when running PS1 games, and they become more noticeable at resolutions higher than native internal resolution when using plugins which can increase it like Edgbla's GpuBladesoft, Pete's OpenGL2 and GSDX. Though they're still apparent at native, the low resolution's aliasing and blurriness kills almost any visibility, hiding the issues.
Jittering polygons are caused by low-precision fixed-point (to the native resolution) math. Plugins can attempt to fix this (GTE Accuracy), but it often creates holes in seams.
The PS1 hardware didn't have a z-buffer. The lack of a z-buffer causes things like polygons popping over others. Tekken character limbs are a good example to see that. It's theoretically possible to implement z-buffer in PS1 emulators/GPU plugins.[2]
No texture perspective correction causes distortion to texture angles at certain viewing angles, notably at the bottom near the camera. This could be mitigated with modern texture filtering methods along with perspective-correct texture mapping if implemented into PS1 emulators/GPU plugins.
Resources
- PlayStation DataCenter - Tons of PS1 related things. Emulator files like plugins, game manuals, game configurations, and many tutorials are just some of things you'll find here.
