PCSX-Redux vs QuackStation

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.

QuackStation is a free PlayStation 1 emulator with a Qt front end and a fullscreen interface for TV use. Its project goals include playability, speed, long-term maintainability, and performance suitable for low-end devices. It supports hardware rendering through D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan, and Metal, as well as software rendering. Hardware graphics options include upscaling, texture filtering, 24-bit true colour, and PGXP geometry precision and texture correction. Playback features include save states, runahead, rewind, fast boot, CPU overclocking, and time-stretched audio. Games can load from CDs and formats including BIN/CUE, raw BIN/IMG, MAME CHD, ECM, MDS/MDF, and unencrypted PBP. It supports digital and analog controllers, lightguns simulated with a mouse, NeGcon, and multitap for up to eight devices. A PS1 or PS2 BIOS ROM image is required and is not included; users must dump it from their own console. The project is licensed under GNU GPLv3 or later. Android is currently unmaintained and unsupported.