EPSXe

infobox software
name = ePSXe


caption = Screenshot of ePSXe 1.7.0 running on Windows Vista 32-bit OS
developer = calb, Galtor and _Demo_
latest_release_version = 1.7.0
latest_release_date = May 24 2008
operating_system = Linux, Microsoft Windows
language = Multilingual
status = Active
genre = Emulator
license = Freeware
website = http://www.epsxe.com/

ePSXe ("enhanced PSX emulator") is an emulator of the Sony PlayStation video game console for x86-based PC hardware. It was written by three authors, using the aliases "Calb", "_Demo_", and "Galtor". It has been described as the best freeware Playstation emulator available. cite journal | year = 2005 | title = Retro Coverdisc | journal = Retro Gamer | issue = 15 | pages = 108 ]

ePSXe makes use of a plugin system to emulate GPU, SPU, and CD drive functions, similar to the model first introduced in PSEmu Pro. This approach is also taken in PCSX, PCSX2, and Project64. ePSXe is closed source with the exception of the application programming interface (API) for its plugins.

History

For half a year, ePSXe was developed in secret, away from the public eye. When released on October 14, 2000, ePSXe was a revolution in the PSX emulation scene, boasting higher compatibility and performance than other PlayStation emulators of the time. [cite news |title=Saturday, October 14th 2000 - ePSXe released! |url=http://www.retrogames.com/102000.html |date=October 14, 2000 |author=atila |publisher=retrogames.com |accessdate=2007-09-07]

When ePSXe 1.6.0 was released on August 5, 2003, its development seemed to halt. In fact there were even rumors claiming that the source code had been lost due to a hard disc failure. This was until April 5, 2008 when the developers of ePSXe made a public statement revealing that in summer 2007, they had decided to continue development of the emulator, on encouragement from users. On May 24 2008, ePSXe version 1.7 was released. [cite news |title=Status update |url=http://www.epsxe.com/ |date=May 24, 2008 |author=ePSXe team |accessdate=2008-04-09]

Design

As with many modern emulators, ePSXe makes use of plugins to emulate GPU, SPU, and CD-ROM drive functions, a model first established in PSEmu Pro.

ePSXe can read from CD and run many types of CD images directly from the user's hard drive. With few exceptions, it is capable of nearly flawlessly emulating many PlayStation games. Games that do not necessarily run properly or even start at all, can still be fixed and played via the use of ePSXe patch files in .ppf format. On the latest version of ePSXe (and possibly some older versions), there is a patching feature that allows the user to patch certain games. Not all games prone to bugs have ppf patches written for them.

Unlike a few alternative Playstation emulators that are able to use high level emulation to mimic the effect of the PlayStation's BIOS, ePSXe functions with an image of an official Sony Playstaion BIOS. Since the various Playstation BIOS images are Sony's intellectual property, 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 extract, or "dump", the image from his/her own console.

System requirements

ePSXe's stated system requirements are:cite web|title=NGEmu - ePSXe overview|url=http://www.ngemu.com/psx/epsxe.php|publisher=ngemu.com|accessdate=2007-09-07]

* Processor: Pentium 200 MHz, recommended 1 GHz.
* RAM: 256 MB RAM, recommended 512 MB RAM.
* Graphics card: 3D graphics card needed with support for OpenGL or DirectX.
* Operating system: Windows: 9x (95, or 98/98SE), NT (XP, 2000, Vista, etc) -- GNU/Linux (any distro will do)
* CD-ROM: 16x or faster (optional)

If the computer just meets the minimum system requirements, ePSXe will emulate games roughly, averaging from about 60% to 100% full speed depending on plugins are used and how high the settings are on them.Fact|date=May 2008

Plugins

* GPU: Most GPU plugins run with either Direct3D, OpenGL, or the Glide API, and are available freeware or open source.
* SPU: The SPU plugins can emulate everything from music to sound effects, with varying degrees of success depending on the plugin settings, and of course the plugin being used.
* CD-ROM: ePSXe comes with a core CD-ROM plugin, but many others are available for freeware download and many can emulate up to seven different types of read modes.
* Input: The core plugin is sufficient, but there are others that allow for more functionality. It is even possible to plug in and use a DualShock controller with a USB adapter.

Compatibility

As of version 1.7, ePSXe runs nearly all games flawlessly. A few games have problems - in some cases, this can be remedied via the use of patches written for the game in question. Only a handful of games have patches written for them.

* All regressions of ePSXe 1.6.0 have been fixed, so version 1.5.2 shouldn't be needed anymore.
* At least 50 more games playable, including the "killer-app game" Vib-Ribbon.
* Many games work better (including crash fixes): Final Fantasy series, Chrono Cross, Xenogears, Metal Gear Solid, Rayman...
* Chrono Cross: "-noauto" argument and "odd/even bit hack" special game fix are not needed anymore.
* Internal SPU plugin : CDDA sound support, great improvements of quality and synchronization
* Support for new Disk Image formats: BIN/CUE, BIN/CCD and MDS/MDF.
* CDDA sound available even with the "Load ISO" command (no need of virtual drive nor Mooby CDR plugin)
* On-the-fly switch (F7 hotkey) between main GPU plugin and integrated GPU plugin (P.E.Op.S. software renderer)
* Speed limit activate/deactivate with F4 hotkey (more convenient than the in-game GPU plugin menu)
* "Visual rumble" feature: simulate rumbles by shaking the display

Reception

Retro Gamer called ePSXe "the best free PlayStation emulator".

References

External links

* [http://www.epsxe.com/ Project home page]
* [http://forums.ngemu.com/epsxe-compatibility/49711-compatibility-list-epsxe-1-6-0-a.html Game compatibility list for ePSXe]