mkpsxiso vs PCSX-Redux

mkpsxiso builds PlayStation CD images from an XML document, with output in .bin/.cue or .iso formats for emulators or CD burning. File order in the XML sets LBA placement, which the project says can support access-time optimization. The builder handles mixed-mode CD-XA content, including XA audio and STR video, and CDDA tracks sourced from WAV, FLAC, PCM, or MP3 files. Its related tool, dumpsxiso, extracts PlayStation disc images and can generate compatible XML. It supports 2352-sector images and CUE files, and can extract tracks, license data, and raw sectors. Generated XML follows strict LBA order and preserves timestamps and XA attributes. The project targets homebrew development, ROM hacking, and reverse engineering. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and is GPL-2.0 licensed. Documentation covers command-line use, XML structure, track types, ordering, errors, and validation. Users supply their own Sony license data for injection. On ext4 and xfs, absent XML dates prevent 1:1 rebuilding for certain older files; Windows also has a documented directory-browsing issue with some nested structures.

PCSX-Redux is a free collection of tools, research, hardware design, and libraries for PlayStation 1 development and reverse engineering, centered on a fork of the PCSX emulator. The project aims to replace the plugin system with a monolithic codebase using OpenGL3+ and ImGui. Debugging features include VRAM, MIPS, and SPU debuggers, save states, and a GDB server for controlling program execution from a compatible IDE. Users can also work with a Lua console and editor or connect to Ghidra 10.3 or newer for MIPS debugging and reverse engineering. Graphics options include software and OpenGL GPUs, filtering, true-colour rendering, MSAA, and wireframe or vertex polygon views. It supports Xbox controllers, digital and analog controller emulation, and PlayStation Mouse emulation. OpenBIOS provides a MIPS R3000A BIOS implementation that can boot games without a retail BIOS, although the listed system requirement says a BIOS is required. Downloads are listed for Windows Intel 64-bit, Linux Intel 64-bit AppImage, and macOS Arm. The project describes the codebase as usable but still needing cleanup before a first stable release, with experimental components.