PSX-P: hackers trump Sony with first PS1 emulator for PSP

If you thought you were going to have to wait until the PS3 came out to rock Playstation 1 titles on your PSP, you've just been granted a reprieve. Well, kinda. MaxConsole is reporting that a clever hacker named Yoshihiro has just released the first PS1 emulator for your trusty portable console, and that the so-called PSX-P app will run on firmware versions below 2.71, with users of 1.5 and above obviously requiring the eLoader exploit. As a reminder, the only way you can legally use this program is if you already own a Playstation and a number of games, as it requires the SCPH1001.BIN PS1 BIOS file and ripped ISOs of your game discs -- which can be found elsewhere, but we like to keep it legit 'round here. So all is well and good, right? Eh, not really; since PSX-P currently lacks a dynamic decompiler recompiler, games apparently run super-slowly, in the neighborhood of 10fps: i.e. a good proof of concept for the homebrew community, but until Yoshihiro or one of his colleagues manages to achieve a playable frame rate, for now this breakthrough is little more than a frustrating tease.

Update: Check out the YouTube vid!

[Via DCEmu, thanks wraggster]

[Cowboy Bob @ Sep 24th 2006 5:06PM]

ha ha ha

SONY GOT OWNED!!

[Holosoth @ Sep 24th 2006 5:07PM]

I'm suprised that Yoshihiro showed up again after the WAB downgrader scam

[Redbluefire @ Sep 24th 2006 10:56PM]

Actually, Yoshihiro wasn't behind the WAB Downgrader scam- Alonetrio consistently made fake news posts and pretended to be Yoshihiro so he could get plenty of donation money. Yoshihiro has been included in many respectable projects since then. (Real downgrader anyone?! :P )

[TheGuy @ Sep 24th 2006 5:21PM]

"As a reminder, the only way you can legally use this program is if you already own a Playstation and a number of games, as it requires the SCPH1001.BIN PS1 BIOS file and ripped ISOs of your game discs -- which can be found elsewhere, but we like to keep it legit 'round here."

LOL. I feel the fact you mentioned it can be found elsewhere shows you guys aren't keeping it "legit 'round here". Plus, I wouldn't really call this a 'trump' since it doesn't play the games at the normal frame rate. If an emulator can be released that plays at a normal frame rate before Sony comes out with it, then I would call it a 'trump'.

[Leland Dantzler @ Sep 24th 2006 10:52PM]

I applaud the effort that went into this breakthrough. With a little bit of refinement, this could be gloriously fun!

Oh, and totally legit. Cough.

[Loneguitarist @ Sep 24th 2006 5:29PM]

actually only psp users with firmwares 2.0 and up need the eloader... 1.5 runs homebrew straight from the xmb

[Brian Call @ Sep 24th 2006 5:43PM]

I agree with TheGuy. It's not smart to mention that the PS1 BIOS and ripped games can be found elsewhere. I am all for reporting on homebrew developments, but why even include that statement in this post except to encourage piracy? Not too bright, Mr. Blass...

[EdZ @ Sep 24th 2006 6:00PM]

There is a simular emulator for the GP2X. It's been around for quite some time, so games that do run run at a fairly good pace with minimal frameskip. Admittedly the PSP is inherantly more powerful, but the openness of the GP2X means it's easier to optimise code.

[Brandon @ Sep 24th 2006 6:05PM]

The legit comment could very well have been slight sarcasm or humor. You think? Who knows.

[Justin Baillargeon @ Sep 24th 2006 6:07PM]

Real Source - http://www.pspgen.com - it was released as an exclusive on PSPGeneration (French website)

[One @ Sep 24th 2006 6:31PM]

THis is far more useable than any thing Sony has out at the moment, no?

[Mike @ Sep 24th 2006 6:45PM]

Dynamic REcompiler.

[Lesbian Ham @ Sep 24th 2006 7:06PM]

The Gizmondo has an emulator running at better speeds than that. It's from the same project group as the GP2X version.

And yea, it's Dynamic REcompiler, as Mike oh-so-rightly pointed out :)

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 24th 2006 7:41PM]

I think it's great to see homebrew getting more dynamic on the PSP and this is definitely a step in the right direction, but in no way do I feel this trumps Sony.

As others stated, it's still not really a usable emulator with such low frame rates.

[MadaMadaDane @ Sep 24th 2006 7:56PM]

10 fps? I think poster is a little optimistic. Judging by the testing done so far they're getting about .1 - 3 fps.

[Parijat @ Sep 24th 2006 8:01PM]

I think just about everyone knows you can get it elsewhere, he was simply mocking the fact that one can.

[Ian @ Sep 24th 2006 8:08PM]

LMAO! Sony is getting beat at everything on the PSP. If they would just accept that the homebrew community is more alive then PSP game devs are then it would make things a lot better for all of us (PSP owners anyway).

[Ratchet the Lombax @ Sep 24th 2006 8:26PM]

This is nice and all but I think I will wait for the official one from Sony. Granted you will have to buy the games whereas this one lets you use the isos of the ones you already own. I think I can pony up a few bucks for a game that will play at full speed with sound. This thing will never come close to running full speed. Like one of the above posters said even the lower end homebrew emulators have slowdown issues. If a GBA emulator can't run at full speed what hope does this have. This just seems like a waste of time. While others are waiting for an update that might get this running at 10fps without sound I will be playing my full speed PS1 games and supporting the further development of the PSP.

[Alistair Loveless @ Sep 24th 2006 10:10PM]

How did yoshihiro's name get into this last i heard (even from this site) that he SAW someone using a ps1 emulator from that same french website. Am i wrong? I also thought that he was known for attaching his name to releases.

Am i wrong? If so, well I retract that statement. but i dont really believe yoshihiro had anything to do with this really.

i think this is great progress! isnt this how some of the gameboy advance stuff started. but as it is now it is fairly useless with that framerate. who but coders and dev are gonna be interested in such an alpha build.

but i agree that sony is supposedly unvieling a full ps1 library downloadable.


ill bet that someone will take sony's released emulator and crack it and in turn dump the re-released ps1 games for the psp

[Xbox Freak. @ Sep 24th 2006 11:06PM]

I will defend Yoshihiro. He is a great guy. Very Smart and has made alot of contributions in many different Development communities (DC, XBOX, PSP, ect..). I atually have made trades with Yoshi as well asked questions to help me with problems I was having and he really is a great dude.

He was never behind any scams.

Give this man some respect.

If he can make it work - it will work. ANd proof of concept means it will get refined and work 100% better in a few more releases.

Xbox Freak.

[jV @ Sep 25th 2006 1:33AM]

@Temple

Are you kidding? What games don' run at about 100% with speed on your SNES emulator? Are you using the me version? PSP handles snes perfectly. You must hav an old emulator.

But you have to give these things time. The PSX emulator is unplayable right now, but give it a while. The GBA emulator is almost perfect, and just a few months ago, people complaning that it would never be possible.

Patience. Emulators and homebrew are what make the PSP so special.

[Lee @ Sep 25th 2006 5:13AM]

maby sony will relise the update befor the ps3 comes out, or an update tht only has the ps1 emulator but not the stuff for ps3

[Ex V43 owner @ Sep 25th 2006 8:54AM]

What's the big deal? I had a v43 and was playing PS1 games for months on it. Some at a decent speed. Also did nes and snes (both full speed), gba (but slow), and several others. PSP is only half a machine. Too bad the v43 was bug-ridden - so don't buy one! Point: emulators are here or coming for everything. Hang on to your hats! What's a v43? Google it. I-Station.

[Paul @ Sep 25th 2006 11:59AM]

"If a GBA emulator can't run at full speed what hope does this have."

There is no comparison. Two different dev teams (or individuals) on two separate projects. I'm sure a GBA emulator at full speed would be no problem on the PSP with the right coding. Same with a PSX emulator. There is already a great N64 emu for the PSP that in 6 months or so I wouldnt doubt will be running much closer to full speed. True sony might be able to get this running better sooner, but Im sure they have a good sized team of people working on it, getting paid for their work, and have all source code. I think this is very impressive for what it is. Give it some time and Im sure it will be great

[RaiderX @ Sep 25th 2006 9:49PM]

woot! i already got some games running. not full speed, but playable and its amazing for a first release! PSP has the best hoembrew than any other system ever released, this is just one example of the huge library of amazing games and apps for the dream device

[Wad @ Sep 26th 2006 8:54PM]

Yoshihiro had nothing to do with this. He stole the work from someone else just as he did last time with WAB.

Please remove his name from the report as it gives him too much credit.

[steinein17 @ Sep 26th 2006 11:50PM]

If you sony rip off fans want the SCPH1001.BIN that you need to play the Emulator. then go to http://www.geocities.com/steinein17 and you will get it.