ePSXe

ePSXe is a free (although closed-source) emulator whose first version was released in October 2000, offering better features and compatibility than all the alternatives on the market at that time. Since its launch, the emulator has received sporadic updates, with gaps of nearly ten years between versions. Despite the passage of time, it still remains a viable alternative.

Quick and easy setup

When you open ePSXe for the first time, you can quickly configure the emulator using the Wizard Guide. The first and possibly most important step is to place the console BIOS in the BIOS folder waiting in the emulator directory. Normally, these BIOS are named "scph1001.bin" and shouldn't be hard to locate. Simply place them in the folder and the emulator can detect them automatically. Once this step is complete, all that's left is to choose the type of video and audio plugins you want to use.

Load any ROM with one click

Once you are done configuring the emulator, all that remains is to test that everything works as it should. To do so, you will need to run a ROM. The emulator can read discs from the PC's own drive, but it also allows you to load ISOs directly. The most common ISO formats are supported: .ISO, .BIN, .CUE. You do need to be wary that some ROMs can take a few seconds to load.

My thoughts on ePSXe

ePSXe is a veteran of PlayStation emulation on PC and it shows, for better or for worse. The emulator still works perfectly, more than a quarter of a century after its original release, which is commendable in itself. But at the same time, both its interface and some of its features have become a bit outdated, with more modern emulators (like Duckstation) offering a much more well-rounded experience.

The best and the worst of ePSXe

• The best thing about ePSXe is that it makes PSOne emulation a simple and straightforward experience. No complicated configurations, no need to read page after page of documentation, no installation, just a very lightweight and easy-to-use emulator.

• The worst thing about ePSXe, on the other hand, is that the interface, among other aspects, has become outdated. The emulator feels clunky and, in some cases, presents few options. And this is no surprise really, as the interface has changed very little since its first version.

ePSXe is for you if...

✓ You are looking for a classic and proven PlayStation emulator.

✓ A quick and easy setup with a Wizard Guide is desired.

✓ You want to be able load ROMs in multiple formats with one click.

A classic emulator that never dies

Download ePSXe if you want to play PSX games comfortably on your PC, regardless of your PC's capabilities. This lightweight emulator takes up little space, consumes few resources, and works perfectly on computers over twenty years old.