DuckStation is a Sony PlayStation 1 emulator for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. It focuses on playability, speed, and long-term maintainability, with graphics options including hardware rendering through D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan, and Metal. Upscaling, texture filtering, 24-bit color, PGXP geometry precision, texture replacement, adaptive downsampling, and post-processing shader chains provide visual adjustments. Play options include save states, runahead, rewind, CPU overclocking, and multi-disc support; users can also edit memory cards and import saves. It supports digital and analog controllers, rumble, and up to eight devices through multitap, while GunCon and Justifier lightguns can be simulated with a mouse. RetroAchievements and Discord Rich Presence are supported. Compatible game formats include bin/cue, MAME CHD, single-track ECM, MDS/MDF, CCD, and unencrypted PBP. A PS1 or PS2 BIOS image and games are not included; users need to provide them. DuckStation is free. Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 are unsupported, macOS needs version 13.3 or later, and the maker does not provide Android app support.
Who it is for
DuckStation suits people who want to play PS1 games with configurable graphics and save options across desktop or Android platforms. Users need to supply a BIOS image and game files themselves.
What is good
- Free to use.
- Supports several hardware rendering APIs.
- Includes save states, rewind, and runahead.
- Supports up to eight devices through multitap.
- Works with multiple listed game file formats.
What to know first
- BIOS image and games are not provided.
- Android app support is not provided.
- Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 are unsupported.
- macOS 13.3 or newer is required.
Verdict
DuckStation offers a broad set of graphics, controller, and play options for PS1 emulation at no cost. Prospective users should check its platform requirements and be prepared to provide their own BIOS image and games.
DuckStation plans and pricing
All plansCompared on emulator software
- Free plan
- Yes
