psxe
psxe is a portable Sony PlayStation emulator and emulation library written in C.
What psxe is
psxe is a portable Sony PlayStation emulator and emulation library written in C. The project lists CPU, DMA, GPU, SPU, MDEC, GTE, timers, and CDROM among its implemented components. Running it requires a BIOS file, configured with the -b or --bios setting; the README says most BIOS versions are confirmed to work. GitHub Releases provides automated builds, and the README includes instructions for compiling on Windows, Ubuntu, and macOS if a suitable build is unavailable. SDL2 is required: Windows standalone use also needs the SDL2 DLL beside the executable, Ubuntu setup requires libsdl2-dev, and macOS setup requires SDL2 and dylibbundler. The project is free and open source under the MIT license. Memory card support is temporarily disabled. The latest listed release is PSXE 0.10.5-alpha; its note says the version number was updated after a long period of inactivity.
Good
- Free and open source under the MIT license.
- Automated builds are available through GitHub Releases.
- Build instructions cover Windows, Ubuntu, and macOS.
- Implements listed PlayStation components including GPU and CDROM.
Watch out
- A BIOS file is required to run the emulator.
- SDL2 is required.
- Memory card support is temporarily disabled.
- Latest listed release is 0.10.5-alpha.
Who it suits
psxe may suit people looking for a free PlayStation emulator on Windows, Ubuntu, or macOS who can provide a BIOS file. Building from source is an option for users whose systems lack an automated build.
Verdict
psxe offers a free, open-source PlayStation emulator for several desktop systems, with build instructions and automated releases. Before choosing it, account for the required BIOS and SDL2 dependency, and note that memory card support is disabled.
The facts
Each one read from psxe's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- BIOS compatibility
- The README says most BIOS versions are confirmed to work.checked 3 Oct 2026
- BIOS requirement
- Running the emulator requires a BIOS file, which is configured with the -b or --bios setting.checked 3 Oct 2026
- macOS dependencies
- The macOS build instructions require SDL2 and dylibbundler, which the README says can be installed with Homebrew.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Required BIOS
- Running the emulator requires a BIOS file, which can be configured with the -b or --bios setting.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Windows dependency
- The Windows build uses SDL2, and standalone use requires placing the SDL2 DLL beside the executable.checked 3 Oct 2026
What it does
- Build dependency
- The build instructions require SDL2, with platform-specific setup steps for Windows, Ubuntu, and macOS.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Build from source
- The README includes build instructions for Windows, Ubuntu, and macOS.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The README directs users to download automated builds from the Releases page.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Emulated components
- The project lists CPU, DMA, GPU, SPU, MDEC, GTE, timers, and CDROM among its implemented components.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Emulation components
- The README lists CPU, DMA, GPU, SPU, MDEC, GTE, timers, CDROM, and memory cards as implemented components.checked 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as MIT.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Memory cards
- Memory card support is temporarily disabled.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Product
- psxe is a portable Sony PlayStation emulator and emulation library written in C.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- psxe is a portable Sony PlayStation emulator and emulation library written in C.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Release note
- The 0.10.5-alpha release note says it bumps the version number after a long period of inactivity.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The latest listed release is PSXE 0.10.5-alpha.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README asks Windows users whose build scripts fail to open an issue with information about their system.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The README provides build instructions for Windows, Ubuntu, and macOS.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Ubuntu dependency
- The Ubuntu build instructions require the libsdl2-dev package.checked 3 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker profile
- The GitHub profile identifies allkern as Lisandro Alarcón, an Argentine computer science student.checked 2 Oct 2026