RPCS3

RPCS3 is an open-source PlayStation 3 emulator and debugger designed to run PS3 software on desktop PCs. It is cross-platform, with primary support for Windows and Linux and experimental or limited support on macOS. The project aims to accurately emulate the PS3’s hardware and firmware to enable playing games and developing for the platform.

The project began in 2011 as a small, community-driven effort and has grown through ongoing contributions from volunteers. Development is published openly, with regular releases and a public compatibility database. RPCS3 is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later.

Technical overview: RPCS3 uses a combination of dynamic recompilation and interpretation to translate PS3 Cell and RSX GPU instructions for execution on x86-64 hosts, along with SPU audio emulation. It supports multiple graphics backends, including OpenGL and Vulkan, to accommodate different driver stacks. The emulator includes a built-in debugger and profiling tools for development and testing. It can boot PS3 disc images and various formats, and offers features such as save states, memory card support, and debugging capabilities for researchers and enthusiasts.

Compatibility and performance: The project maintains a community-driven compatibility list that annotates titles as playable, in-game, or requiring further work, with varying degrees of graphical and functional accuracy. Performance and compatibility depend on both the title and the host hardware. As such, users are advised to use recent CPUs with multiple cores and an appropriate GPU, along with up-to-date drivers, to achieve the best results. RPCS3 is widely regarded as the leading open-source PS3 emulator and a key tool for preservation and experimentation.