| I’m sure most of you have heard of emulation somewhere. So what is it exactly? |
Wikipedia says that “an emulator duplicates the functions of one system, using a different system, so that the second system behaves like (and appears to be) the first system.” This means that we can make our PC mimic a specific system, which thereby enables us to run those system-specific games on our computers.
In this series, we’ll take a closer look at the software needed to run PSX, PS2 and Xbox games on your PC. This time we’ll discuss Sony’s Playstation (PSX) and the ePSXe emulation software.
A lot of people had fun with the first PlayStation, including me, and we can’t seem to get rid of it (in a good way). All of the original PlayStation games were playable on the PlayStation 2, and most of them on the PLAYSTATION 3. These days you can even play them on your PSP, so why not on our PC as well?
To play Playstation 1 games on your PC, you need to download a program called ePSXe.
The latest version can always be found here.
As there’s no installer, you just have to unzip it in the folder of your choice. You’ll also want some shortcuts, so right-click on the ‘ePSXe.exe’, ‘send to’ and choose ‘desktop’.
The installation is far from complete though, as this is only the base of the emulator. Among the other things we’re going to need are the PSX’s BIOS files. These are essential for the emulation, but there is a catch.
You are only allowed to own these files if you also own a PSX. Make Use Of does NOT encourage piracy!
You can obtain the BIOS in two ways. You can dump it from your PSX, but that is the long route. You can also download it somewhere (direct link here), but again, only if you actually own a PSX.
We’ll extract these files in the \bios directory (you can also delete the ‘erase.me’ file)
Again, we are not ready yet. Next we need the video plug-in.
There’s a wide variety of video plug-ins available, and (depending on your graphics card) some might work better for you than others, so I can’t tell you which one to use. I can point you in the right direction though, as Pete’s and P.E.Op.S. plug-ins have made a good name for themselves. If these do not work (well), try out a few and see which works best (all Linux plug-ins are at the bottom of the page).
We’re going to extract the downloaded package(s) into the \plugins directory. You might need to overwrite the ‘gpu.dat’ file.
The ePSXe core has built in sound plug-ins, but in case they didn’t work for you, check here for alternatives (scroll down a bit). You can put these plug-ins in the \plugins directory.
The ePSXe core also has built in plug-ins for your disk drive, but in case they didn’t work for you, check here for alternatives (about halfway down the page). You can put these plug-ins in the \plugins directory.
In their haste to please us, the developers of ePSXe forgot to add zlib.dll to the latest release (v 1.70). You can get it here (just drop it in the same directory as ePSXe.exe).
You’ve got all the files you need now and are just a few steps away from playing your games. Upon opening ePSXe.exe, or the shortcut you made to it on your desktop, you will encounter a configuration wizard.
First you select the correct BIOS for your region (PAL being Europe, Australia and a part of Asia). You’ll notice that there are different alternatives for your region, but all should work.
Next, select your video driver. When you press ‘Config’, you can change the video settings (like screen resolution, FPS limit, and so on. Apart from the resolution, only change these settings if you know what you’re doing.
Press next and select your sound plug-in and CD-ROM plug-in.
Last but not (at all!) least, you can configure your controller settings. First press on the controller you want to configure. In my opinion, the two best options here are either using a gamepad (USB, or an original one with a converter), or your keyboard (‘Digital’ in the menu).
Finally, in the ‘file’ menu, either choose ‘run CDROM’ or ‘run ISO’ to start playing!
You can make ISO’s of your PSX games without special procedures. Just use Nero, or another CD burning suite.
Be sure to look out for the next articles in this series, where we’ll take a closer look at PlayStation 2 and Xbox emulation.
(By) Simon is a student from Belgium who wastes his time relaxing, watching anime and surfing the net. He would tell you to check out his blog, only he doesn’t have one yet!
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Filed Under: Games ¦ How-To
Tags: emulation, emulators, gamer, Games, How-To, playstation
With the right driver you can use your PS3 controller via its USB cable thingy. I finished Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage with 100% completion (again) on my PC with my PS3 controller in this manner
Find more about it here.
How to Use a PS3 Controller on a PC
Great tip, by the way.
while this is a great article its also a bit old, I have been playing PSX games on my computer for ages already.
True, emulating is nothing new, but there are a lot of people who don’t know (how to do) it.
Yeah It is old. I have a better emulator. Its called PSXfin. It could run any format of images like .img .cdz .bin .iso and .mds, and any psx cd-rom that you have. I tried epsxe and it never worked for me. Even with the configuration files it never worked.
OK… How can I get the games? I need a way to play without using PS CDs… I just want to insert the file in the emulator & that’s it ( like super nintendo emulator )… So is there anyway to do so?
Sure, you need to make an ISO of your game. To do this, just use Nero or CDBurnerXP (dl-link).
To play, select ‘run ISO’ in the ‘File’ drop down menu.
I just dug out my PSX to play some of the old games not to long ago. I guess now I can play them on the go.
The BIOS files are illegal to have regardless of whether or not you own the console.
Debatable.
that’s stupid. the bios is IN the console, you already own it if you have one. if you dump it yourself, and copy or use your own games, the use of epsxe or any other emulator is completely legal.
When do we get Part 2?
When he gets out of jail for pirating bios images.
[...] 28 juli 2008, 5:21 pm Ingedeeld onder: Linkses | Tags: Spellekes Things are getting intersting: Playstation games op de pc. Die dure pc staat daar toch maar te staan… Geen Reacties tot nu toe Plaats een reactie [...]
I have used Emulators (Emu’s) for years. they are available for ALL the popular consoles and ROMS (games) are abundant if you know where to look.
JT
http://www.FireME.To/udi
I remember almost 10 years ago Bleem! came out emulating the PSX and was in stores such as Best Buy. It worked pretty well.
[...] A guide to playing PSX games on your PC [...]
PSXe man i thought everyone knew this…..
I find PSX (psxemulator.gazaxian.com) a far better emulator and easier to setup. No tinkering with plug-ins.
Check it out!
[...] on your PC. This time we’ll discuss Sony’s Playstation (PSX) and the ePSXe emulation software. read more | digg story addthis_url = [...]
Even budget PCs can emulate PSX now, I’ve been doing it maybe seven years. Anything P4 or greater probably works. However, good luck with PS2. My core 2 duo 3.0ghz 4GB DDR2 machine barely runs PS2 playably.
gee, now i can do what i’ve been doing for years now. epsxe isn’t anything new. i’ve run it on a celeron processor before.
Congratu-****ing-lations.
Pretty sweet tutorial, gonna try this for sure, thanks.
I had run epsxe for a long time, It is really good !
[...] on your PC. This time we’ll discuss Sony’s Playstation (PSX) and the ePSXe emulation software. read more | digg story This post has been read 1 [...]
[...] In this series, well take a closer look at the software needed to run PSX, PS2 and Xbox games on your PC. This time well discuss Sonys Playstation (PSX) and the ePSXe emulation software. A lot of people had fun with the first PlayStation, including me, and we cant seem to get rid of it (in a good way). All of the original PlayStation games were playable on the PlayStation 2, and most of them on the PLAYSTATION 3. These days you can even play them on your PSP, so why not on our PC as well? Catch more here: How To play Sony PlayStation (PSX) Games on your PC | MakeUseOf.com [...]
I realize this is about the PS1, but FWI PS2 emulation is crap on most PCs. What these fan boy articles dont tell you is that PS2 games are need a minimum of a fast dual core CPU system. Ive been to these website where fanboys tell you the PS2 emulators work but they are lying. Also many games simply dont work or get buggy at some point in the game because of a timing issue that only the PS2 system works with. How would you like to play a game for 2 hours only to lose it all on a bug? The problem programmers are having is that if they fix only thing, its screws something on another game up. The PS3 emulator for the PS2 cant unscrew Sonys timing mess. Next time some company goes out of its way to create super security, they should remember not to try so hard they screw themselves. Unless you are bored to tears this is a waste of your time. BTW there are emulators for other consoles and you can get a joy stick to USB adapter if you want to use the original consoles joysticks. I cant bother with PS1 games, mostly brainless shoot-em-up games stuff. PS2 picked it up a little but consoles have a long way to go before they get to complexity of PC games. Problem is that PC games require more intelligence to make and more testing costs and PC users pirate everything these days. There is no money in it. Crysis still hasnt sold as many game as Grand Theft sold in 3 months.
[...] - How To play Sony PlayStation (PSX) Games on your PC | MakeUseOf.com (tags: games [...]
[...] out part 1 if you’re interested on playing those old PS games on your PC. Subscribe to comments [...]
[...] Serie auf makeuseof.com erklärt wie man Playstation, Playstation 2 und Xbox Spiele auf dem PC spielen kann. Im ersten Teil [...]
I’ve played psx games on my PC all these years using “virtual game station”
[...] be worth it to get everything running on the PC.. then you’ll never have to move your ass. read more | digg [...]
[...] In the previous installment of these emulation series, you saw how to play Sony PlayStation (PSX) games on your PC. [...]
can you teach me why i cant hear any sound when i play ps game?
T_T
help me
Check out ‘Step 4 - Make Some Noise’
I’m having a problem with the video configure. (nothing seems to be wroking) i followed all the directions & now i’m stuck..im not too good with computers,so can someone tell me what i should do?
Have you tried alternative video plug-ins? (see ‘Step 3 - Getting Image’)
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3970788/PSX_4_Pc_%5B7_Games%5D
easier and includes 7 games.
down the torrent and love your psx!
i cannot do this… please, if you can do me a favor, send a link when can i free download crash bash and play in my PC!
[...] in the series, we showed you how to play PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games on your PC. This time, we are taking on some old school [...]
Well the new game the force is coming out tomorrow and i just wanted to know if i downloaded this game would i be able to maybe get it to work with this emulator. Im not to computer savy but wow with the instruction on this sight even I think i can kinda figured out how to install it kinda. So tonight ill try but i was just wondering if i may be able to play the Force Unleashed.
You might be able to get the PS2 version going (though you’ll need a very strong PC). Check out How to Play Sony Playstation 2 Games on your PC
Ok i love the idea of the program. and of course bein a HUGE Final Fantasy fan i played FF7 first. i found that when you enter the battle sequence you cant see your health meters which is a major problem. any idea how to fix this?
Oh thanks for posting this. forgot to mention that. thats my only problem so far. ill let you know if i have any more questions.
Grrr it cut my first message off. here it is again. Ok i love the idea of the program. and of course bein a HUGE Final Fantasy fan i played FF7 first. i found that when you enter the battle sequence you cant see your health meters which is a major problem. any idea how to fix this?