Introduction
ePSXe (enhanced PSX emulator) is a PlayStation video game console emulator for x86-based PC hardware with Microsoft Windows and Linux, as well as devices running Android and iOS. It was written by three authors, using the aliases calb, _Demo_ and Galtor. ePSXe is closed source with the exception of the application programming interface (API) for its plug-ins.
ePSXe was one of the early emulators to make use of plug-ins to emulate GPU, SPU (sound), and CD-ROM drive functions, a model first established in PSEmu Pro. Games can be loaded from the computer’s CD drive or from one of many types of CD images directly from the user’s hard drive. A patching feature allows the user to apply game patches. Games that do not necessarily run properly, or even start at all, can be fixed and played via the use of ePSXe patch files in .ppf format. Not all games prone to bugs have ppf patches written for them.
Until version 1.9.25, ePSXe could only function with an image of an official Sony PlayStation BIOS. Since the various PlayStation BIOS images are copyrighted by Sony, it is illegal to distribute them. For this reason, ePSXe does not come bundled with any of the PlayStation BIOS images, requiring the user to provide one for the emulator. Version 1.9.25 added HLE BIOS support, allowing it to mimic the effect of the PlayStation’s BIOS, although compatibility is currently lower than an official BIOS.
ePSXe has a very high video game compatibility and has been designed to provide a fast and optimized experience. It supports multiple CD-ROM formats (.bin/.cue, multi-bin/cue, .mdf/.mds, .ccd/.bin/.sub, .pbp, etc), including sub-channel support and PPF patching on the fly. Multi-tap up to 8 players are supported. There are versions for Windows, Linux, Android and iOS.
Compared to other emulators such as the PlayStation core for Mednafen , it has poor accuracy to the original hardware. However, it is still worth using as it currently boasts the highest compatibility of any PlayStation emulator and is thus the least likely to give you random issues.
How to download ePSXe
The latest release of ePSXe can be downloaded from the relevant section of the official website , which is linked below:
- www.epsxe
- Download and install ePSXe from App Store or from another source (see above).
- Launch ePSXe from your app drawer or home screen.
- You will be prompted to grant some permissions to the app, such as storage access and microphone access. Allow these permissions for the app to function properly.
- You will then see a welcome screen that will guide you through the initial setup of the emulator. You can either follow the screen or skip it and configure the emulator manually later.
- If you follow the screen, you will need to select a BIOS file, a video renderer, an audio renderer, and an input method. You can use the default ones provided by ePSXe or browse for other ones that you have downloaded separately. You will also need to configure your gamepad or touch screen settings.
- If you skip the screen, you can access the configuration menu by tapping on Menu in the main window of the emulator. From there, you can adjust various settings and options for the emulator.
- Once you have configured the emulator, you are ready to use it.
How to configure ePSXe
The configuration of ePSXe depends on your personal preferences and the specifications of your device. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to optimize the performance and compatibility of the emulator. Here are some tips on how to configure ePSXe:
BIOS
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a firmware that controls the basic functions of the PlayStation hardware. It is essential for running ePSXe, as it provides the necessary information and instructions for the emulator to emulate the PlayStation system. Without a BIOS file, ePSXe will not work at all.
ePSXe does not come with a BIOS file, as it is copyrighted by Sony and illegal to distribute. Therefore, you need to obtain a BIOS file from your own PlayStation console or from another source. You can use any BIOS file from any region, as long as it is compatible with ePSXe.
To select a BIOS file for ePSXe, follow these steps:
- Copy the BIOS file (usually a .bin file) to a folder of your choice on your device.
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > BIOS.
- Browse for the folder where you copied the BIOS file and select it.
- Click OK to confirm your selection.
You can also use HLE BIOS (High-Level Emulation BIOS), which is an option that allows ePSXe to mimic the effect of the PlayStation’s BIOS without using an actual BIOS file. However, this option is less accurate and compatible than using a real BIOS file, so it is not recommended unless you have no other choice.
Video
The video settings of ePSXe affect how the emulator displays the graphics of the games on your device’s screen. You can choose from different video plug-ins, renderers, filters, resolutions, aspect ratios, frame rates, and more. The optimal video settings depend on your device’s capabilities and your personal preferences.
To configure the video settings of ePSXe, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Video.
- Select a video plug-in from the drop-down menu. You can use the default one provided by ePSXe or browse for another one that you have downloaded separately. Different plug-ins may have different features and options.
- Click on Configure to access the plug-in’s settings. Here you can adjust various parameters such as renderer, filter, resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, texture quality, color depth, etc. You can also enable or disable some enhancements such as anti-aliasing, scanlines, shaders, etc.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the plug-in’s settings.
You can also use a video test option that allows you to test different video settings on a sample game screen. To use this option, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Video Test.
- Select a video plug-in from the drop-down menu. You can use the default one provided by ePSXe or browse for another one that you have downloaded separately.
- Click on Configure to access the plug-in’s settings. Here you can adjust various parameters as described above.
- Click on Test to see how the game screen looks like with your current settings. You can change the settings and test them again until you are satisfied with the result.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the plug-in’s settings.
Sound
The sound settings of ePSXe affect how the emulator reproduces the audio of the games on your device’s speakers or headphones. You can choose from different sound plug-ins, renderers, drivers, volumes, latency, and more. The optimal sound settings depend on your device’s capabilities and your personal preferences.
To configure the sound settings of ePSXe, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Sound.
- Select a sound plug-in from the drop-down menu. You can use the default one provided by ePSXe or browse for another one that you have downloaded separately. Different plug-ins may have different features and options.
- Click on Configure to access the plug-in’s settings. Here you can adjust various parameters such as renderer, driver, volume, latency, reverb, interpolation, etc. You can also enable or disable some enhancements such as surround sound, equalizer, etc.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the plug-in’s settings.
CD-ROM
The CD-ROM settings of ePSXe affect how the emulator reads and plays the games from your device’s CD drive or from CD images stored on your device’s storage. You can choose from different CD-ROM plug-ins, drivers, modes, speeds, and more. The optimal CD-ROM settings depend on your device’s capabilities and your personal preferences.
To configure the CD-ROM settings of ePSXe, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > CD-ROM.
- Select a CD-ROM plug-in from the drop-down menu. You can use the default one provided by ePSXe or browse for another one that you have downloaded separately. Different plug-ins may have different features and options.
- Click on Configure to access the plug-in’s settings. Here you can adjust various parameters such as driver, mode, speed, cache, etc. You can also enable or disable some enhancements such as sub-channel reading, accurate timing, etc.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the plug-in’s settings.
Memcards
The memcards settings of ePSXe affect how the emulator saves and loads the games’ data on your device’s storage. You can choose from different memcard formats, sizes, slots, and more. The optimal memcard settings depend on your device’s capabilities and your personal preferences.
To configure the memcard settings of ePSXe, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Memcards.
- Select a memcard format from the drop-down menu. You can use the default one provided by ePSXe or browse for another one that you have downloaded separately. Different formats may have different features and options.
- Click on Configure to access the format’s settings. Here you can adjust various parameters such as size, slot, file name, etc. You can also enable or disable some enhancements such as compression, backup, etc.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the format’s settings.
Gamepads
The gamepad settings of ePSXe affect how the emulator recognizes and responds to your device’s gamepad or keyboard inputs. You can choose from different gamepad types, modes, buttons, axes, and more. The optimal gamepad settings depend on your device’s capabilities and your personal preferences.
To configure the gamepad settings of ePSXe, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Gamepad.
- Select a gamepad type from the drop-down menu. You can use the default one provided by ePSXe or browse for another one that you have downloaded separately. Different types may have different features and options.
- Click on Configure to access the type’s settings. Here you can adjust various parameters such as mode, buttons, axes, sensitivity, vibration, etc. You can also enable or disable some enhancements such as analog mode, rumble mode, etc.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the type’s settings.
How to use ePSXe
Once you have configured ePSXe according to your preferences and specifications , you are ready to use it to play your favorite PlayStation games. Here are some tips on how to use ePSXe:
Loading and playing games
You can load and play games from your device’s CD drive or from CD images stored on your device’s storage. To load and play games, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to File > Run CD-ROM or File > Run ISO.
- If you choose Run CD-ROM, the emulator will automatically detect and load the game from your CD drive. If you choose Run ISO, you will need to browse for the CD image file (usually a .bin, .cue, .iso, .img, .mdf, etc) and select it.
- The game will start and you can play it using your gamepad or keyboard settings. You can also access the emulator’s menu by pressing Esc on your keyboard or tapping on Menu on your touch screen.
Applying cheat codes
You can apply cheat codes to your games to unlock extra features, items, levels, etc. To apply cheat codes, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Cheat Codes.
- Click on Add/Edit Cheat Codes to open a text editor where you can enter the cheat codes for your game. You can find cheat codes online from various sources, such as www.psxcheatcodes.com.
- Enter the cheat codes in the following format:
#description of the cheat code 800XXXXX YYYY 800ZZZZZ WWWW ...
- Save the file and close the text editor.
- Click on Enable/Disable Cheat Codes to activate or deactivate the cheat codes for your game.
- Load and play your game with the cheat codes applied.
Using netplay
You can use netplay to play online with other players who are using ePSXe. To use netplay, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Netplay.
- Select a netplay plug-in from the drop-down menu. You can use the default one provided by ePSXe or browse for another one that you have downloaded separately. Different plug-ins may have different features and options.
- Click on Configure to access the plug-in’s settings. Here you can adjust various parameters such as mode, server, port, latency, etc. You can also enable or disable some enhancements such as chat, voice chat, etc.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the plug-in’s settings.
- Go to File > Run CD-ROM or File > Run ISO and load your game as usual.
- The game will start and you can play online with other players who are using ePSXe and the same netplay plug-in. You can also access the emulator’s menu by pressing Esc on your keyboard or tapping on Menu on your touch screen.
Saving and loading states
You can save and load states to resume your game from any point you want. To save and load states, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and load your game as usual.
- To save a state, press F1 on your keyboard or tap on Save State on your touch screen. You can choose from 5 different slots to save your state.
- To load a state, press F3 on your keyboard or tap on Load State on your touch screen. You can choose from 5 different slots to load your state.
How to troubleshoot ePSXe
Sometimes, you may encounter some problems or errors when using ePSXe. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
The emulator does not start or crashes
This may be caused by several reasons, such as:
- Your device does not meet the minimum requirements for running ePSXe.
- Your device does not have enough free space or memory for running ePSXe.
- Your device has some incompatible apps or processes running in the background that interfere with ePSXe.
- Your device has some corrupted or missing files or settings related to ePSXe.
To fix this issue, you can try the following solutions:
- Check if your device meets the minimum requirements for running ePSXe. You can find them on the official website of ePSXe or in the readme file of the emulator.
- Free up some space or memory on your device by deleting or moving some files or apps that you do not need.
- Close or disable any apps or processes that may conflict with ePSXe, such as antivirus, firewall, screen recorder, etc.
- Reinstall ePSXe or update it to the latest version. You can also try to restore the default settings of the emulator by deleting the ePSXe.ini file or by clicking on Config > Restore Default Settings.
The emulator does not recognize the BIOS file
This may be caused by several reasons, such as:
- Your BIOS file is corrupted, incomplete, or incompatible with ePSXe.
- Your BIOS file is located in a wrong folder or has a wrong name.
- Your BIOS file is not selected or configured properly in ePSXe.
To fix this issue, you can try the following solutions:
- Check if your BIOS file is valid and compatible with ePSXe. You can find a list of supported BIOS files on the official website of ePSXe or in the readme file of the emulator.
- Copy your BIOS file to the bios folder of ePSXe and make sure it has a .bin extension. You can also rename it to scph1001.bin for better compatibility.
- Select and configure your BIOS file in ePSXe by going to Config > BIOS and browsing for the file. You can also use HLE BIOS if you do not have a real BIOS file, but this option may cause some compatibility issues.
The emulator does not load or play the games
This may be caused by several reasons, such as:
- Your game disc or image is corrupted, incomplete, or incompatible with ePSXe.
- Your game disc or image is located in a wrong folder or has a wrong name.
- Your game disc or image is not selected or configured properly in ePSXe.
- Your game requires a patch or a cheat code to run properly on ePSXe.
To fix this issue, you can try the following solutions:
- Check if your game disc or image is valid and compatible with ePSXe. You can find a list of supported games on the official website of ePSXe or in the readme file of the emulator.
- Copy your game disc or image to the iso folder of ePSXe and make sure it has a supported extension (such as .bin, .cue, .iso, .img, .mdf, etc).
- Select and configure your game disc or image in ePSXe by going to File > Run CD-ROM or File > Run ISO and browsing for the file. You can also use File > Run BIOS to test if your game works without loading it.
- Apply a patch or a cheat code to your game if it needs one to run properly on ePSXe. You can find patches and cheat codes online from various sources, such as www.psxpatch.com and www.psxcheatcodes.com.
The emulator has poor graphics or sound quality
This may be caused by several reasons, such as:
- Your device does not have enough power or resources to run ePSXe smoothly.
- Your video or sound settings are not optimized for your device or your game.
- Your video or sound plug-ins are not compatible with your device or your game.
To fix this issue, you can try the following solutions:
- Lower the resolution, frame rate, texture quality, color depth, etc. of your video settings in ePSXe by going to Config > Video and adjusting the parameters. You can also disable some enhancements such as anti-aliasing, scanlines, shaders, etc.
- Lower the volume, latency, reverb, interpolation, etc. of your sound settings in ePSXe by going to Config > Sound and adjusting the parameters. You can also disable some enhancements such as surround sound, equalizer, etc.
- Change your video or sound plug-ins to another one that works better with your device or your game. You can find different plug-ins online from various sources , such as www.pbernert.com and www.epsxe.com/files/plugins.
ePSXe alternatives
If ePSXe does not work for you or if you want to try other PlayStation emulators, here are some alternatives that you can check out:
PCSX-Reloaded
PCSX-Reloaded is an open-source PlayStation emulator that is based on the original PCSX project. It has many features and options to enhance your gaming experience, such as plug-ins, BIOS, ISOs, cheat codes, netplay, and more. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Android.
You can download PCSX-Reloaded from its official website: pcsxr.codeplex.com.
Mednafen
Mednafen is a multi-system emulator that supports various platforms, including PlayStation, Nintendo, Sega, Atari, and more. It has a high accuracy and compatibility rate, as well as many features and options to customize your gaming experience. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
You can download Mednafen from its official website: mednafen.github.io.
RetroArch
RetroArch is a front-end for various emulators, including PlayStation ones. It allows you to play games from different platforms using a unified interface and configuration. It has many features and options to enhance your gaming experience, such as shaders, overlays, netplay, achievements, and more. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Android, iOS, and more.
You can download RetroArch from its official website: www.retroarch.com.
Conclusion
In this article, I have provided you with a comprehensive guide on how to download, install, configure, and use ePSXe on your preferred platform. I have also suggested some alternatives to ePSXe in case you want to try other emulators. I hope you find this article helpful and informative.
Thank you for reading this article and happy gaming! ?
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about ePSXe:
What is the best video plug-in for ePSXe?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different video plug-ins may work better or worse depending on your device’s capabilities and your game’s requirements. However, some of the most popular and recommended video plug-ins for ePSXe are:
- Pete’s OpenGL2 Driver: This plug-in offers high-quality graphics and supports various enhancements such as anti-aliasing, scanlines, shaders, etc. It is compatible with Windows and Linux.
- ePSXe GPU Core: This plug-in is the default one provided by ePSXe. It offers decent graphics and supports various enhancements such as anti-aliasing , scanlines, shaders, etc. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, Android and iOS.
- OpenGL Plugin: This plug-in offers good graphics and supports various enhancements such as anti-aliasing, scanlines, shaders, etc. It is compatible with Android and iOS.
You can experiment with different video plug-ins and settings to find the best one for your device and game.
What is the best sound plug-in for ePSXe?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different sound plug-ins may work better or worse depending on your device’s capabilities and your game’s requirements. However, some of the most popular and recommended sound plug-ins for ePSXe are:
- Pete’s DSound Audio Driver: This plug-in offers high-quality sound and supports various enhancements such as surround sound, equalizer, reverb, etc. It is compatible with Windows and Linux.
- ePSXe SPU Core: This plug-in is the default one provided by ePSXe. It offers decent sound and supports various enhancements such as surround sound, equalizer, reverb, etc. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, Android and iOS.
- Android Sound Plugin: This plug-in offers good sound and supports various enhancements such as surround sound, equalizer, reverb, etc. It is compatible with Android and iOS.
You can experiment with different sound plug-ins and settings to find the best one for your device and game.
How can I play multiplayer games on ePSXe?
You can play multiplayer games on ePSXe using either the multi-tap or the netplay options. The multi-tap option allows you to connect up to 8 gamepads to your device and play local multiplayer games. The netplay option allows you to play online multiplayer games with other players who are using ePSXe and the same netplay plug-in.
To use the multi-tap option, follow these steps:
- Connect your gamepads to your device using a USB hub or a Bluetooth adapter.
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Gamepad > Port 1 > Pad 1.
- Select Multi-Tap from the drop-down menu and click OK.
- Go to Config > Gamepad > Port 2 > Pad 1.
- Select Multi-Tap from the drop-down menu and click OK.
- Configure the buttons and axes for each gamepad by going to Config > Gamepad > Port X > Pad Y and clicking on Configure.
- Load and play your game as usual. You can choose from 5 different slots to save your state.
To use the netplay option, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Netplay.
- Select a netplay plug-in from the drop-down menu. You can use the default one provided by ePSXe or browse for another one that you have downloaded separately. Different plug-ins may have different features and options.
- Click on Configure to access the plug-in’s settings. Here you can adjust various parameters such as mode, server, port, latency, etc. You can also enable or disable some enhancements such as chat, voice chat, etc.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the plug-in’s settings.
- Go to File > Run CD-ROM or File > Run ISO and load your game as usual.
- The game will start and you can play online with other players who are using ePSXe and the same netplay plug-in. You can also access the emulator’s menu by pressing Esc on your keyboard or tapping on Menu on your touch screen.
How can I transfer my saves from ePSXe to another emulator or device?
You can transfer your saves from ePSXe to another emulator or device by copying the memcard files or the state files from your ePSXe folder to the destination folder. The memcard files are usually named epsxe000.mcr and epsxe001.mcr and are located in the memcards folder of ePSXe. The state files are usually named slot0.psxstate to slot4.psxstate and are located in the sstates folder of ePSXe.
To transfer your saves from ePSXe to another emulator or device, follow these steps:
- Locate the memcard files or the state files that you want to transfer in your ePSXe folder.
- Copy them to a USB drive or a cloud storage service that you can access from your destination device.
- Locate the memcard files or the state files that you want to replace in your destination folder. You can find them in the same folder names as in ePSXe or in different ones depending on the emulator or device you are using.
- Paste the copied files over the existing ones and confirm the overwrite.
- Launch your destination emulator or device and load your game as usual. You should see your saves from ePSXe available.
How can I update ePSXe to the latest version?
You can update ePSXe to the latest version by downloading and installing the new version from the official website or another source (see above). You can also use the auto-update feature that allows ePSXe to check for updates and download them automatically. To use this feature, follow these steps:
- Launch ePSXe and go to Config > Update.
- Click on Check for Updates to see if there is a new version available.
- If there is a new version, click on Download and Install to start the update process.
- Wait for the update to finish and restart ePSXe.
How can I contact the developers of ePSXe?
You can contact the developers of ePSXe by sending them an email at epsxeteam@gmail.com. You can also visit their official website at www.epsxe.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/epsxeteam. You can also join their Discord server at discord.gg/epsxe.
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