The original Sony PlayStation, also known as the PS1, is one of the most iconic video game consoles of all time. It introduced 3D gaming to the masses and was home to classic titles like Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Crash Bandicoot, and many more. While the PS1 hardware is now over 25 years old, you can still enjoy those retro games on a modern iOS device using a PS1 emulator app.
What is a PS1 Emulator?
An emulator is a piece of software that mimics the functionality of a video game console, allowing you to play that system’s games on another device. In the case of PS1 emulators, they recreate the PlayStation 1 hardware and operating system so that you can run original PS1 game files (called ROMs) on your iPhone, iPad, or computer.
PS1 emulators have been around for decades on PC, but have more recently become available on iOS and Android as mobile devices have gotten powerful enough to handle the emulation. Running PS1 games requires a fair amount of processing power to accurately recreate the console’s original CPU, graphics, and sound.
Are PS1 Emulators Legal?
This is a tricky question without a clear cut answer. In general, emulators themselves are legal, as they are simply pieces of software that don’t contain any copyrighted code. However, downloading and playing PS1 ROMs is illegal if you don’t own the original games, as the ROMs contain copyrighted data.
Basically, it’s fine to use a PS1 emulator on your iOS device, but you’re only allowed to play games that you’ve personally ripped from PS1 discs that you own. Downloading ROMs from the internet is considered piracy. Some argue there is a gray area if you own the original game and are just downloading it for convenience, but the only way to be 100% safe is to create your own digital backup copies from your own game discs.
Check: How to Download PS2 Emulator for iOS 17
Best PS1 Emulators for iOS
There are a few different options for PS1 emulation on iPhone and iPad:
Based on the information provided in the search results, here are the best PS1 emulator options for iOS devices:
- RetroArch – This is a multi-system emulator that supports PS1 and many other classic consoles. While very customizable, it can be more complex to set up. You need to install it using AltStore or Cydia Impactor.
- PPSSPP – Primarily a PSP emulator but also has experimental PS1 support. It is generally easier to use than RetroArch and can be installed directly from the PPSSPP website.
- Provenance – Another multi-system emulator with a focus on ease-of-use. It emulates PS1 in addition to various Atari, Nintendo, Sega, and SNK systems. Install it from the official Provenance website.
- Eclipse – A browser-based multi-system emulator that works without needing to jailbreak or sideload. It has a clean interface and supports PS1 games. However, performance may not be as good as native app emulators.
- Duckstation – Considered one of the best standalone PS1 emulators currently. It likely needs to be sideloaded onto iOS using an alternate app store like AltStore or Builds.io.
In general, RetroArch and Provenance seem to be the top recommendations for iOS due to their versatility and strong compatibility. Duckstation is also highly regarded if you only need PS1 emulation and are willing to use an alternate app store to sideload it.
The key is to obtain the emulators from trusted sources, as direct downloads can be risky. Alternate app stores like AltStore and Builds.io help streamline the sideloading process. With some initial setup, you can enjoy PS1 classics on your iPhone or iPad without needing to jailbreak your device.
How to Set Up PS1 Emulation on iOS
The exact setup process varies a bit depending on which emulator you choose, but the general steps are:
- Install the emulator app using AltStore, Cydia Impactor, or the emulator’s official website
- Transfer your legally obtained PS1 BIOS file and game ROMs to your iPhone or iPad (you can use cloud storage or transfer them from a computer)
- Launch the emulator and let it search for the BIOS and ROMs
- Configure the emulator’s video, audio, and controller settings to your preferences
- Select a game from your library and start playing!
Some emulators let you customize the virtual button layouts or use a bluetooth gamepad for an experience closer to original PS1 hardware.
Final Words
Thanks to the power of modern smartphones and tablets, it’s easier than ever to enjoy classic PlayStation 1 games on the go on your iOS device. PS1 emulators like RetroArch, PPSSPP, and Provenance let you relive favorites from Sony’s first console – or discover them for the first time – with enhanced graphics and features.
Just be sure to only play game ROMs that you’ve ripped yourself from discs you own, as downloading them online is illegal. With a PS1 emulator set up on your iPhone or iPad, you’ll have access to a huge library of retro gaming goodness in your pocket wherever you go.