PocketStation emulators

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PocketStation
Sony-PocketStation.png
Developer Sony
Type Memory Card peripheral
Generation Fifth generation
Release date 1999
Discontinued 2002
Successor n/a
Emulated

The PocketStation is a memory card peripheral made by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation that was released in Japan on January 23, 1999. It had a ARM7T CPU with 2KB of RAM. Software for the PocketStation was typically distributed as PlayStation CD-ROM extras, enhancing the games with added features. Stand-alone software could also be downloaded through the PlayStation console. The software is then transferred to the PocketStation for use. A built-in infrared data interface allows direct transfer of data such as game saves between PocketStation units, as well as multiplayer gaming. 60 games in total were compatible with the PocketStation.

Emulators

Name Platform(s) Latest Version PlayStation
communication
libretro Accuracy FLOSS Active Recommended
PC / x86
PK201 Windows 20/04/28 (Windows)
23/08/31 (Android)
[N 1] Mid
MAME Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.264 High
No$GBA Windows MS-DOS 3.05 * Mid ~
PKEmu Windows 1.1 Private Beta ?
pockystation Windows gitlibretro ?
Mobile / ARM
PK201 Android 20/04/28 (Windows)
23/08/31 (Android)
[N 1] Mid
MAME Android iOS libretro core[N 2] High ~
  1. 1.0 1.1 Possible with XEBRA. XEBRA is the first PlayStation emulator to include compatibility with PocketStation.
  2. As "mamearcade_libretro and mame_libretro_ios.dylib", 0.139 (2010), 0.78 (2003), 0.37b5 (2000)

Comparisons

MAME
Currently, a handful of games run, but some die due to odd hardware issues.
No$GBA
PocketStation as part of NO$GBA 2.7 onwards. The odd choice of emulators comes from GBA, DS and PocketStation sharing parts of the ARM architecture. Functional.