PSX and PS2 PC Emulators - What do you use?

So I'm looking to save some space around here and figure the PC should be able to handle some older systems. Was never really into the emulator scene, but with disc based systems the whole ability to just run off the origional disc = no ROM hassles.

So, with that in mind, what does everyone use for the PSX and PS2 PC emulators?

Some googling around highlights psxe and pcsx2. Are those generally considered to be the most up-to-date and compatible emus or are there better choices out there?

Thanks.

-hl718

 

I think pSX is generally considered less hassle than ePSXe as far as "just playing some games" goes but I honestly don't have that much experience. I looked into it recently as I was trying to recording some runs on Umihara Kawase Shun, I could get ePSXe to record video but due to the modular nature of it, it wouldn't record sound in the same file (or at all, if I recall right). Had to fire up CoolEdit and re-mux later in Premiere. Hassle.

As far as PS2 goes, it's only really pcsx2 that runs anything much, right? I did try it out recently and was amazed by how complete it is. Runs like a sack of shit on my brand new PC (GPU-limited) but it's some incredible work nonetheless.

All the usual caveats about preferring original hardware apply, of course.

 

I stick to ePSXe as it's been my tried and true solution for making games look nice with ogl/d3d triangle drawing.

on the ps2 side of things, i usually use the mac port of pcsx2... it works, but there's so many broken things in it, it's hardly a good solution for accurate emulation... (same goes for the pc port as I have tested both, I just don't like to switch out of osx when i can avoid it.

In the end, I'd say emulators just don't cut it if you have a wide variety of games for any platform.
between unique controllers, oddball hardware calls, etc, a lot of stuff just never gets to the 100% supported stage.

If you just have a few games you can test before makign the move to all emulated, you'll probably be fine, but you've got a chance of supporting almost all psx games- ps2 games are a whole different matter however as te emulation scene is still rather in its infancy.

 

ePSXe is the best really, as was said there are easier emulators out there, but it sacrifices the customizing ability that furthers compatibility.

PCSX2 is the only PS2 emulator worth talking about. It works quite well, if you have at least a good dual core machine. Its very dependent on the CPU of your system. Compatibility is hit or miss, but a lot of stuff works, and works quite well. Not ready for prime time yet, but its getting there

 

This is a little off subject but are there any notable emulators for mac, the only one I have tried for anything so far is sixtyforce for N64. Just curious really :icon_bigg

- Anthony

 

Also very GPU dependent for some games (which I think is unusual for emulators), as I found out when I tested Shadow of the Colossus. I got full speed on Grim Grimoire and Odin Sphere but a slideshow on SotC (PC is 3.2GHz Core 2 Duo 6MB cache, 4GB DDR3, but only a Radeon... 4350, I think it is).

 

I've seen some videos on Youtube of PCSX2 running Gran Turismo 3 and 4 and was quite surprised.

Apart from some small glitches (most on shadows), it runs smoothly. Of course it need a very powerfull computer, but still is quite an achievement.


As for the PS1, i would say ePSXe is the way to go. If you have a good computer, you can even try some shaders that improve the graphical quality a lot.

 

Shadow of the Colossus is a more advanced game, you shouldnt judge anything by that game. The GPU actually matters very little for PCSX2. A good CPU will make up for it, and the Core2Duo just isnt a good CPU anymore, not for SotC

 

If you look into it you'll find you're wrong, but I can't be fucked to debate it particularly. Just do a google search.

 

DiGi, as i work back and forth between mac and windows (and prefer to do my hacking and graphics on mac), http://pcsx2-mac.quant0r.com/ works quite well I find... at least comparable to the windows versions from offhand testing. as for PS1, I use ePSXe via Crossover/Crossover Games (which is nothing more than repackaged Wine with mac graphics support)

Both options serve me well, although for more pc-intensive things, I stick to VMware Fusion or a real pc/bootcamp

 

how do you open the lid?

 

Er, yes it is. :katamari: