HopStation
github.com
What it is
HopStation is a work-in-progress PlayStation emulator written in C++, shared chiefly as a reference for emulator developers rather than as a primary way to play games. It emulates the R3000 CPU, GPU, DMA and interrupt controllers, CDROM, GTE, SPU, MDEC, and memory cards. The project provides a windowed application and a headless command-line mode, with tools including a disassembler, executable sideloading, USB controller input, configurable logging, a VRAM viewer, and ImGui introspection windows. It accepts BIN/CUE disc images, but support is buggy: CUE parsing prevents many games from loading, and inaccurate CDROM emulation also limits compatibility. The SPU lacks features such as volume sweep and dynamic ADSR. A PlayStation BIOS is required; only SCPH1001, the original US launch version, has been tested. HopStation builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS and is free under the MIT License. Some builds need additional shader libraries. The author describes it as an unfinished personal learning project and says feature contributions are unlikely to be accepted.
Spec sheet
- Product
- HopStation is a work-in-progress but fully functional PlayStation (PSX/PS/PS1) emulator written in C++.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audience
- The code is released as a reference for emulator developers rather than primarily for playing games.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Platforms
- The CMake build is tested on Windows, Ubuntu and macOS.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The project is licensed under the MIT License.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Application features
- Application features include a windowed app, headless command-line app, disassembler, executable sideloading, USB controller input, configurable logging, a VRAM viewer and ImGui introspection windows.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Application modes
- It provides a cross-platform windowed application and a command-line headless application for testing.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audio limitation
- The SPU lacks features including volume sweep and dynamic ADSR used in Final Fantasy VII.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- BIOS requirement
- Running the emulator requires a PlayStation BIOS file, and only BIOS version SCPH1001 is tested.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Build platforms
- CMake builds are tested on Windows, Ubuntu and macOS, with platform-specific build instructions for each.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- CDROM limitation
- Inaccurate CDROM emulation reduces compatibility, with Doom given as an example.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Compatibility
- The repository lists many tested games, including Crash Bandicoot, Final Fantasy VII, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Tekken and Wipeout, with several having noted issues.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Developer tools
- Features include a disassembler, executable sideloading, configurable system logging, a VRAM viewer and ImGui introspection windows.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Disc support
- It supports bin/cue CD images, but the README labels this support buggy.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Emulated hardware
- It emulates the R3000 CPU, GPU, DMA controller, interrupt controller, CDROM, GTE, SPU, MDEC and memory cards.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Emulation
- It emulates the R3000 CPU, GPU, DMA controller, interrupt controller, CDROM, GTE, SPU, MDEC and memory cards.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Graphics stack
- The project evaluates SDL3 and SDL GPU; shaders use SDL_shadercross, with Vulkan on Linux requiring the spirv-cross-c dynamic library from the Vulkan SDK.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Intended use
- The code is released as a reference for emulator developers rather than primarily for playing games.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Known compatibility issue
- Buggy CUE-sheet parsing prevents many games from loading, including Tomb Raider and Wipeout.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Known limitations
- Known issues include crashes when a CD is ejected during loading, buggy CUE parsing, inaccurate CDROM emulation and missing SPU features such as volume sweep and dynamic ADSR.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Legal note
- The README states that PlayStation BIOS files are copyrighted software owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Maker profile
- The GitHub maker account is named howprice and links to howprice.itch.io/aira-force.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Media and input
- It supports bin/cue CD images, USB controller input and PlayStation memory-card files, with bin/cue support described as buggy.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Project status
- The maker describes HopStation as an unfinished personal project, welcomes feedback and says feature contributions are unlikely to be accepted.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Shader dependencies
- Linux Vulkan builds require the spirv-cross-c dynamic library from the Vulkan SDK, while Windows requires dxcompiler.dll and dxil.dll.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free under the MIT License.
- Builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- Includes a headless command-line mode and disassembler.
- Emulates a broad set of PlayStation components.
Limits
- A PlayStation BIOS file is required.
- BIN/CUE support is buggy.
- CUE parsing prevents many games from loading.
- SPU features including dynamic ADSR are missing.
Who it suits
HopStation suits emulator developers looking for a reference implementation and people interested in its introspection and debugging tools. It is less suited to anyone expecting broad, dependable game compatibility.
Verdict
HopStation offers a substantial set of emulator and developer tools, but its maker frames it as unfinished learning material. BIOS requirements and documented disc, CDROM, and audio limitations matter for anyone considering it for playing games.
Where Specifiction places it
- PlayStation Emulators#8 of 257.8