Retro

Install PPSSPP: PSP games on PC, phone and Steam Deck

PPSSPP emulates the PlayStation Portable and is one of the easiest emulators out there. You don’t need a BIOS and it runs on almost any device, from PC to Raspberry Pi 5 and Android phone.

Installing

  • Windows, macOS and Linux: download from ppsspp.org/download. On Windows, extract the zip file and start the program.
  • Linux with Flatpak:
flatpak install flathub org.ppsspp.PPSSPP
  • Android and iOS: search for PPSSPP in the app store. The free version is enough; PPSSPP Gold is a way to support the developers.

Using games

PPSSPP plays .iso, .cso and .pbp. Convert your own UMDs with a PSP you own. Then open the folder in PPSSPP and you’ll see your games with their cover art.

Useful tips

  • Sharper: under Graphics, set Rendering resolution to 2x, 3x or higher. The PSP resolution is very low, so you’ll notice right away.
  • Backend: choose Vulkan if your graphics card supports it.
  • Textures: enable Texture scaling for smoother images and menus.
  • Cheats and patches: enable Cheats under System and widescreen patches for many games.
  • On your phone: connect a Bluetooth controller or play with the on-screen buttons.
  • Handheld: on a Steam Deck or Pi 5, PPSSPP usually runs fine on the default settings.