Emulation
Ongoing coverage on Emulation.
Latest coverage
SharpEmu Makes Major Ps5 Breakthrough at 60 FPS
The experimental SharpEmu emulator has achieved a significant milestone in PlayStation 5 emulation on PC, with 12 tested games now reaching in-game status and six achieving a consistent 60 frames per second. While still in its early stages and not a replacement for the console, this progress highlights advancements in emulating modern hardware. The news comes amid ongoing player concerns about Sony's future approach to physical game releases.
Hooked on the brothers
This article profiles Wes, a long-time games and hardware journalist who joined PC Gamer in 2014 after stints at The Wirecutter and Tested. Wes has a particular interest in emulation and Japanese games, and enjoys optimizing complex systems in Satisfactory and playing older Final Fantasy titles or ASCII roguelikes.
After mainlining 30 hours of 1440p Bloodborne, I know in my heart it belongs on PC
The author details their experience playing Bloodborne on PC via emulation, expressing frustration with the game's original PlayStation 4 exclusivity while praising the PC experience. Despite some jankiness and the challenging process of setting up emulation, the author highly recommends playing Bloodborne on PC, criticizing Sony for its lack of official support and potential for game preservation issues.
The Gamercard shares a family tree with the ZX Spectrum, but I wasn’t expecting the giftcard-inspired handheld to fully embody its microcomputer ancestry
The Gamercard, a credit card-thin handheld inspired by the ZX Spectrum and created by Sir Clive Sinclair's nephew, offers a unique approach to indie and retro gaming. While its rubber disc controls and lack of ergonomics are drawbacks, its sharp display, full RetroPi emulation, and PICO-8 integration provide a novel experience for tinkerers and fans of low-spec innovation.
This retro handheld asks "what if the PS Portal looked like a PS2 DualShock controller?", but I doubt Sony…
The Yoniq Portal Handheld Gaming Console is a new retro handheld designed to resemble a PlayStation 2 DualShock controller with a 4.5-inch screen. While the concept aims to emulate PlayStation 2 games, the device's lack of specs and potential copyright issues with Sony's iconic button symbols raise significant skepticism.
Retroid just said "hold my 3DS" to Anbernic and revealed a $149 Pocket Duo Lite
Retroid has unveiled its new Pocket Duo handheld, a dual-screen device designed for Nintendo 3DS and DS emulation. A budget-friendly 'Lite' version will launch at $149, featuring a Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS6125 chipset and smaller displays, while the full model starts at $269 with dual OLED screens. The devices aim to compete with Anbernic's offerings in the retro handheld market.
Sick of Sony killing physical games? Relive the glory days with a PlayStation 3 emulator that can play discs through…
The RPCS3 PlayStation 3 emulator has been updated to allow playing physical PS3 discs on PC, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD. This development comes as Sony phases out physical media, offering a way to preserve and play older games on various platforms, including modded PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.
Yes, you can now run PS3 games from disc on PC using RPCS3, but there's a catch that ruined my plans
The PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 now supports running games directly from disc drives on PC. However, a significant compatibility issue exists, as only specific Blu-ray drives with particular chipsets and firmware can read PS3 discs, leading to disappointment for users like the author who encountered a roadblock with their Verbatim drive.
My MiSTer FPGA is better than your MiSTer FPGA – here’s how to build the ultimate, ultimate retro gaming rig
This guide details how to build an ultimate MiSTer FPGA retro gaming rig by modifying its hardware for a more robust and aesthetically pleasing setup. It covers integrating a DE-10 Nano board into custom 3D-printed cases, selecting appropriate screens and keyboards, and adding features like NFC readers for game loading.
PS2 or GameCube: Which retro console emulates better?
This article compares the emulation capabilities of the PlayStation 2 and GameCube, noting that both consoles have mature emulation ecosystems. It aims to guide newcomers on which platform is easier to emulate.
Anbernic demos its new Nintendo DS clone, and it punches hard in PS1, N64, and even Dreamcast games
Anbernic has demonstrated its new Nintendo DS clone, the RG DS Plus, showcasing its ability to run games from various retro consoles including PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, and Dreamcast. While primarily designed for Nintendo DS titles, the handheld's Rockchip RK3568 chipset appears capable of handling emulation for older systems, with a price point expected to be under $100.
As Sony plans to kill discs, PS3 emulator RPCS3 is bringing them back – you can now play physical games on PC…
The open-source PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 now allows users to play physical PS3 games on PC directly from a disc drive, supporting Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD. This development comes as Sony plans to cease disc production for new PlayStation games in 2028, raising concerns about game preservation.
30 years later, here's how I still play N64 games on the original console, fancy FPGA remakes, and handhelds
This guide explores various methods for playing Nintendo 64 games today, 30 years after the console's release. Options range from using original hardware with upscalers and mods, to modern FPGA-based solutions like the Analogue 3D, and emulation on PCs and handhelds.
Anbernic just revamped its Nintendo DS clone, but I'm still itching for a cheaper 3DS handheld homage
Anbernic has released the RG DS Plus, an updated version of its Nintendo DS clone featuring a higher resolution 1024x768 display and a new dual-screen interface. While it resembles the 3DS XL, it focuses on enhancing the original DS experience with a new NNDDSS emulator and stylus, aiming for a sub-$100 price point.
Ratchet & Clank (2002) Is Coming To PS5 Via Emulation This Year
The original 2002 game, Ratchet & Clank, is set to be released on PlayStation 5 this year through emulation, complete with new trophy support. This announcement allows players to revisit the classic title with modern features.
Best Android PSP Emulator
This guide explores the best Android emulators for playing PlayStation Portable games, highlighting PPSSPP as the top choice for its high compatibility, frequent updates, and customization options. Lemuroid is presented as a versatile alternative that supports a wider range of older consoles.
Building a Retro Arcade Cabinet: The Parts, Costs and Choices That Actually Matter
This guide focuses on building a retro arcade cabinet, emphasizing that the choice of games should dictate all other decisions, including control panel design and hardware. It details essential parts like displays, joysticks, encoders, and computers, suggesting Raspberry Pi or older PCs as viable options. The article also covers cabinet construction methods and optional decorative elements, noting that while building can be cheaper than buying, the primary benefit is customization.
A Reddit mod used AI to hack a Star Wars Galaxies emulator over a 14-year-old grudge
A Reddit moderator, known as Levarris or levarrishawk, allegedly used AI tools to hack the client-side game assets of the Star Wars Galaxies Legends emulator server. The SWGL developers confirmed the breach, stating that custom content, including Bespin, was accessed and potentially offered to other servers. The accused claims the act was motivated by a 14-year-old grudge between emulator teams, a justification largely dismissed by the article and other players.
Backwards compatibility is neat, but I'd grab an original PS1 rather than listening to people saying "just buy…
This article argues that while the PlayStation 2 offers backwards compatibility with original PlayStation discs, it is not a perfect substitute for the original hardware. Differences in laser tolerance and emulation quirks can lead to compatibility issues with certain games, especially those with scratched discs or on later PS2 models that use software emulation. The author recommends using an original PlayStation for the most reliable experience with the PS1 library, despite the PS2 and PS3 offering potential benefits like HDMI output and texture smoothing.
You’d Be Shocked What You Can Game On A $150 Potato PC
This article explores how to play a variety of games, from new indie titles to older games and emulation, on a budget PC costing as little as $150. It highlights that with savvy shopping, even low-cost hardware can be capable of running diverse gaming experiences.
