RPCS3 is a multi-platform open-source Sony PlayStation 3 emulator and debugger written in C++ for Windows, Linux, macOS and FreeBSD. The purpose of the project is to completely and accurately emulate the Sony PlayStation 3 Computer Entertainment System in its entirety with the power of open-source community and reverse engineering.
Our goal is to preserve the legacy of the PlayStation 3 hardware and its vast library by bringing it and its exclusives to the PC platform. We want to achieve this by targeting and supporting multiple operating systems as well as being compatible with a wide range of computer hardware with realistic requirements.
The project is currently maintained and organized by a unique cast of characters, all with meaningful roles to contribute to different aspects of the project. Whether it's working on the emulator directly, coordinating community efforts or even keeping this very website current, everyone plays a role that adds to the bigger picture.
Internal team members aren't the only contributors. A lot of the progress made in making PlayStation 3 emulation possible on PC is thanks to the many developers we've received contributions from in our GitHub community. While many developers do come and go, we do welcome anyone and everyone who is interested in improving the codebase.
These are the current compatible games that have been tested with the emulator. This list is subject to change frequently. Be sure to check this page often to follow the latest updates.
Clicking on a game's ID will redirect you to the respective forum thread, clicking the title will redirect you to the respective wiki page.
Online only games on Intro, Loadable and Nothing statuses are listed with a lightning icon but not part of any game count.
list of games
https://rpcs3.net/compatibility?type=2
Download
Recommended Requirements
For running all playable games with playable performance
CPU
AMD - 6 cores and 12 threads, 8 cores or more
AMD Zen 2 architecture or newerAMD Threadripper 1000 and 2000 series are not recommended
Intel - 6 cores and 12 threads, 8 cores or more
Intel Skylake architecture or newerGPU
AMD - Vulkan compatible with active driver support
AMD Polaris architecture, RX 400 series or newerNVIDIA - Vulkan compatible with active driver support
NVIDIA Maxwell architecture, GTX 900 series or newerRAM
8 GB of dual-channel RAM or more
Dual-channel memory is highly recommended over single-channelStorage
SSD storage for emulator data, SSD or HDD storage for games
512 MB for base emulator data, 5 GB for virtual console dev_hdd1 cache
128 MB for emulator cache and console user data per installed game*
* Average recommendation. Some games may require more, most games require less
OS
Windows
Windows 10 21H2 or newer, Windows 11 21H2 or newerLinux
Linux 5.19 (Latest), 5.15 (LTS) or newermacOS
macOS Monterey 12.0 or newerFreeBSD
FreeBSD 13.1 or newerMinimum Requirements
For being able to run any games at all, no performance or stability guarantees
CPU
AMD - Any x64 CPU
CPUs without AVX2 and with less than 4 cores and 8 threads are expected to run very badly overallCPUs with only 2 cores per CCX cluster are expected to run very badly overall
Intel - Any x64 CPU
CPUs without AVX2 and with less than 4 cores and 8 threads are expected to run very badly overallGPU
AMD - OpenGL 4.3 compatible or newer
AMD Evergreen architecture, HD 5000 series or newerNVIDIA - OpenGL 4.3 compatible or newer
NVIDIA Fermi architecture, GTX 400 series or newerRAM
4 GB of RAM or more
4 GB is the absolute minimum requirementStorage
SSD or HDD storage for emulator data and games
512 MB for base emulator data, 5 GB for virtual console dev_hdd1 cache
128 MB for emulator cache and console user data per installed game*
* Average recommendation. Some games may require more, most games require less
OS
Windows
Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11Linux
Linux 5.4 (Older LTS), Ubuntu 18.04 or newermacOS
macOS Big Sur 11.6 or newerFreeBSD
FreeBSD 12.3 or newerLaptop PC Requirements
We recommend using a laptop equipped with an 8-core/16-thread 35W+ H-series CPU such as an Intel Core i7-10870H or an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, as well as having a compatible dedicated GPU (dGPU) with Vulkan compatibility. While being a tall order, this is the ideal spec and we cannot guarantee even remotely good performance with laptops equipped with as little as 4-cores.
We strongly recommend using RPCS3 with a desktop PC over a laptop. Should you want to use a laptop, these are the hardware requirements for an optimal experience.
Software Requirements
The software requirements for running the emulator must be met in order for the software to function at all. The PlayStation 3 system software is required because it is utilized to load system files for the emulator such as the PlayStation 3's proprietary system libraries. Linux and FreeBSD based operating systems do not require the Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 redistributable.
Please note - A 64-bit operating system is required. Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 are supported as well as Linux and FreeBSD.
Installing RPCS3 Updates
RPCS3 features an auto-updater which will prompt you if you want to update after loading the emulator. You can either accept, deny or disable updates all together if you wish, though it is not recommended due to the volume of fixes that roll out each day. In the instance that you need to update RPCS3 manually, you can follow the following instructions:
Installing RPCS3 PlayStation 3 Firmware
Due to legal reasons, we cannot distribute official PlayStation 3 firmware files. You must download the latest PlayStation 3 firmware update file from PlayStation.com for use with RPCS3. Once downloaded, you must install the firmware using RPCS3's built in firmware installer found under File > Install Firmware.
By default, firmware modules are loaded automatically based on the PlayStation 3 title that is loaded. You can still override automatic module loading and choose which firmware modules you want to use manually. This is not recommended.
Managing PlayStation 3 Game Data
Due to legal reasons, PlayStation 3 titles cannot be distributed online and must be self-dumped from your own PlayStation 3 console or from your computer using a compatible Blu-ray drive.
Both Blu-ray and PlayStation Network titles (PSN) must be placed into a single folder with their respective files and the folder name must correspond to the title's ID. If you are not sure what your dumped title's region ID is, you can find your region ID on the bottom side-edge of your game case. If you are no longer in possession of your title's game case or your title is only accessible through PSN, you can do an internet search for "Your game name here + region ID". Please note that it is very important that you use the correct region ID.
Typical layout of a Blu-ray disc title's directory: PS3_GAME folder, PS3_DISC.sfb, PS3_UPDATE folder (not required)
Typical layout of a PSN title's directory: TROPDIR folder, USRDIR folder, ICON0.png, PARAM.sfo, etc
Managing PlayStation 3 Save Data
PlayStation 3 save data is specific to each game and saves the progress for your installed games. Should you want to modify, back up or import your own save data from a real PlayStation 3, here are the following locations where save data is stored per operating system:
Managing PlayStation 3 Game Formats
Title IDs that start with a B are Blu-Ray disc titles.
Title IDs that start with a N are PSN titles.
When working with actual title region IDs, the title's region ID will look something similar to this:
Example: BLUS30443 is a US Blu-Ray disc copy of Demon's Souls.
Example: NPEB01393 is a EU PSN copy of Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F.
Installing PlayStation 3 Games
.pkg files must be extracted using RPCS3's built-in package installer found under File > Install .pkg (or simply drag and drop .pkg to the main emulator window)
.pkg files will be automatically installed to \dev_hdd0\game\
Blu-ray disc title data can be placed in \dev_hdd0\disc\ or anywhere else except for \dev_hdd0\game\ and can be booted from File > Boot Game if not present on the game list.
PSN title data must be placed in \dev_hdd0\game\
PSN .rap files must be placed in \dev_hdd0\home\00000001\exdata\ (or simply drag and drop them to the main emulator window)
Note: If you're on Linux, RPCS3 folders are located in ~/.config/rpcs3/dev_hdd0/
Installing PlayStation 3 Game Updates
Title updates are handled the same as PSN .pkg files. The. pkg update file must be installed using RPCS3's built-in package installer found under File > Install .pkg
The update will be placed in the title folder that corresponds to the correct region ID. Please note that title updates must be the same region in order to work. Cross-mixing title regions may create irreversible damage to the title.
Software Distribution laws in your country
When dumping video game software, users are subject to country-specific software distribution laws. RPCS3 is not designed to enable illegal activity. We do not promote piracy nor do we allow it under any circumstances. Please take the time to review copyright and video game software dumping laws and/or policies for your country before proceeding.
By following these instructions, you will do so at your own discretion. Should you follow these instructions against your local law, we shall not be held responsible for your actions.
Dumping with a PlayStation 3
We recommend that you dump your own PlayStation 3 titles from your own console. This is the most compatible way to migrate your disc-based titles and the only way to dump digital titles to your PC. To do this, you will need a PlayStation 3 system with custom firmware.
For dumping disc-based games, you need to use multiMAN homebrew software in order to dump your disc files. You can transfer those files over to a computer through an external drive or using a FTP connection between your PlayStation 3 and your computer.
Note: The PlayStation 3 has a maximum file size of 4GB. When dumping games which contain files bigger than 4GB, multiMAN will split those files. When you have your dump over on your computer, you must rejoin the split files back together with part merging software such as ps3merge, otherwise the dump won't work.
For dumping digital games, you must copy the game folder from dev_hdd0/game/GameID on your console over to the same path on your RPCS3 folder. You also need to get your console's IDPS, the game's RIF and ACT.DAT, in order to generate a .RAP license file to be used in the emulator.
It is also possible to dump digital content and licenses on any PS3 even without custom firmware, by the way of creating a system backup, and then extracting it with ps3xport software.
Dumping with a Desktop PC
You can dump titles using your computer by using select compatible Blu-ray drives. Please note that you can only use this method if a .ird file is available online for the decryption of the disc. Not every Blu-ray drive will recognize PlayStation 3 titles due to how PlayStation 3 format discs are designed. Requirements for a Blu-Ray drive to be able to fully read PlayStation 3 discs are: Mediatek chipset and a +6 read offset.