This week marked an exciting milestone for the developers behind the PlayStation 3 emulator, RPCS3. They’ve successfully achieved stable support for the Arm64 architecture across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Even more impressively, this includes compatibility with the Raspberry Pi 5, which truly pushes emulation capabilities on this compact device. Traditionally, we’ve seen the Raspberry Pi 5 handle GameCube and, to a lesser extent, Wii emulation. But now, with the right tweaks, even PS3 games are within reach for this entry-level Arm hardware.
Running PS3 games on the Raspberry Pi 5 certainly stretches the boundaries of what’s feasible in PlayStation 3 emulation. The emulator employs clever settings that mimic the resolution of a PSP, shrinking the output to just 273p compared to the PS3’s native 720p. This trick actually makes it possible to enjoy some 3D games, such as God of War HD, Catherine, and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm. While 2D games naturally perform better, the fact that you can attain playable framerates for PS3-era 3D titles on a Raspberry Pi 5 is astonishing by any standard.
Switching gears to macOS, the native support for Arm architecture, as opposed to emulating x86, has brought significant performance improvements on Apple Silicon devices. Framerates have seen a notable leap, increasing between 50% and 100% just by running natively. This advance turns Arm-powered PlayStation 3 emulation into a very tangible reality, as opposed to a distant aspiration.
While the Raspberry Pi 5 experience might liken itself to a PlayStation Portable, the results on Apple Silicon show off the hardware’s prowess with true PS3 powerhouses. Titles like God of War III and Skate 3, which are generally tougher to emulate than PS2-to-PS3 HD ports, are running smoothly as long as the device’s horsepower can support it. The strides made with native Arm64 architecture underscore a promising horizon for PS3 emulation, tapping into the potent capabilities of modern platforms.
