PlayStation 1

Sony's legendary debut that defined 3D gaming.

Overview

The PlayStation (1994) revolutionized gaming with CD-based games, 3D graphics, and a massive library of classics. Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Crash Bandicoot, and hundreds more. Emulates perfectly on Steam Deck.

Year	1994
Media	CD-ROM
Steam Deck	Excellent
BIOS Required	Optional (recommended)

Emulators

Emulator	Type	Notes
DuckStation	Standalone	Best overall, great enhancements
Beetle PSX HW	RetroArch core	Very accurate, hardware rendering
PCSX-ReARMed	RetroArch core	Fast, good for weaker devices
SwanStation	RetroArch core	DuckStation core port

Setup

ROM Folder

File Formats

• .bin/.cue - Standard disc image (need both files)
• .chd - Compressed format (recommended)
• .iso - Single-track games only
• .pbp - PSP-style compressed
• .m3u - Multi-disc playlist

BIOS

Optional but Recommended

Games work without BIOS but some have compatibility issues. Recommended files:

• scph1001.bin - NTSC-U (USA)
• scph5501.bin - NTSC-U (recommended)
• scph5502.bin - PAL (Europe)
• scph5500.bin - NTSC-J (Japan)

Enhancements

PS1 emulators offer major graphical improvements:

• Resolution: Run at 4x-8x native resolution
• PGXP: Fixes wobbly 3D geometry
• Texture filtering: Smooth pixelated textures
• Widescreen hacks: 16:9 for many games

Multi-Disc Games

Games like Final Fantasy VII span multiple discs. Create an .m3u file listing all discs:

Load the .m3u file instead of individual discs. The emulator handles disc swapping.

Where to Find Games

Redump PS1 sets on Myrient or Internet Archive. See the Download Guide.