Sony PlayStation

The BIOS files aren't strictly required for emulation, but can dramatically improve compatibility and accuracy. As a replacement for any of the first 3 BIOS files mentioned above, it is also possible to use the PSXONPSP660.bin BIOS. This BIOS comes from the PSP, is region-free and can sometimes offer better performance. Their md5 checksums and expected paths are as follows:

PlayStation ROMs typically come in the modern .cue/.bin format. The .cue sheets contain the metadata of where the 'data tracks' on the disc are physically located, and the .bin files are the actual data. They must retain the same filename (the .cue file is just a text file that points to the .bin file) and be in the same directory to function together. When loading PSX ROMs, be sure to select the .cue file, not the .bin file. Some games may work (with glitches) with just the .bin file loaded, but most don't. Refer to CD image formats for more info.

Older PlayStation ROMs may have been ripped in .iso image format, which is a direct representation of the data on the disc. Some emulators are incompatible with this format. This format typically only allows loading the first .bin file, and no others. In order to properly use the ROM like this, get the .img file and pair it with its CUE sheet. There are tools that can do this automatically for you.

.pbp is a proprietary format made by Sony to store PlayStation games (even multi-disc ones) in a compressed format for their PS1-on-PSP downloadable content games. There are tools to convert to and from this format. Using this format is not recommended as it can cause issues with certain games.

The .cue and .bin files are combined when compressed into a CHD file, so only the .chd file needs to be present and loaded. This is the recommended format.

Place your Sony PlayStation ROMs in /userdata/roms/psx/.

PAL copy protected games need a SBI subchannel file next to the .bin/.cue/.chd files in order to get past the copy-protection. For example:

Game (Europe).bin
Game (Europe).cue
Game (Europe).sbi

To automatically load the next disc of a game, you can use a .m3u playlist file. To make one, simply create a text file with the same filename as your intended game name (it could be anything, really). Within that text file, write the names of the .cue sheets or .chd files for your game discs. For instance, if your game's .cue sheets were structured like

roms/
└─ psx/
   ├─ Final Fantasy VII (Disc 1).cue
   ├─ Final Fantasy VII (Disc 1).bin
   ├─ Final Fantasy VII (Disc 2).cue
   ├─ Final Fantasy VII (Disc 2).bin
   ├─ Final Fantasy VII (Disc 3).cue
   └─ Final Fantasy VII (Disc 3).bin

you would put the following as text into the Final Fantasy VII.m3u text file:

Final Fantasy VII.m3u

Final Fantasy VII (Disc 1).cue
Final Fantasy VII (Disc 2).cue
Final Fantasy VII (Disc 3).cue

Save the text file with the file extension .m3u and place it in the psx folder along with the game's discs. When you get to the end of that disc, the next disc will be automatically loaded. If this fails, you can utilize Retroarch's 'Disc Control' menu in the Quick Menu (Hotkey+South button in-game) to eject a disc and insert another (Swap Disc is for legacy purposes and should not be used). Refer to multi-disc games for more info.

DuckStation is focused on playability, speed, and long-term maintainability. The goal of the emulator is to be as accurate as possible while maintaining performance on a broad range of devices. “Hack” options are discouraged, and the default configuration should support all playable games with only some of the enhancements having compatibility issues. 64-bit CPUs are required for recompiler support for maximum performance.

Batocera uses the latest standalone version of Duckstation. Performs well on lower end x86_64 systems.

Other configuration settings must be configured from within DuckStation's standalone emu-config ([F1] on the systems list → Applications).

Beetle PSX is a standalone fork of Mednafen PSX to the Libretro API. Offers a lot of options to enhance graphics and geometry. Highly recommended for x86_64 systems with a decent GPU.

Other configuration settings must be configured from RetroArch's Quick Menu (Hotkey+).

PCSX ReARMed is an optimized PCSX fork for ARM based systems like the Raspberry Pi, but also works on x86.

Other configuration settings must be configured from RetroArch's Quick Menu (Hotkey+).

SwanStation is the libretro version of the standalone emulator DuckStation.

SwanStation shares its configuration with Duckstation, but omits threaded_presentation, vsync, frameskip, region, custom_textures, rumble, digital_mode and multitap (correct as of v31). These settings can still be adjusted with RetroArch's Quick Menu (Hotkey+).

The PlayStation had many types of controllers throughout its life, starting with the digital controller which only had a D-pad, face buttons and shoulder buttons, then the Analog controller which added two joysticks to the center and finally the DualShock which added vibration. A game needs to explicitly support a controller to function with it, most supported at least the digital controller. The Analog and Dualshock controller had an “Analog” button to switch between being its native self or a virtual digital controller so it could function with older games; this is generally not emulated yet so the best recommendation is to stick with digital controllers unless you know your game explicitly supports a later one. By default, Batocera will enable Joystick to D-pad so that the joystick will function as a virtual D-pad.

The PlayStation also had alternative controllers such as the dance mat (same as the digital controller) or the analog joystick (same as the analog controller). Other controllers such as the Namco GunCon, the neGcon or the PlayStation Mouse would use their own interface, requiring the game to specifically support it.

The default button mapping to the PSX controller is as follows: