Don’t expect official Android or iOS versions, though.
The team behind RPCS3 have released an updated version of their emulator that works on ARM64 devices. This update brings support for running PS3 games on ARM-based Windows, Linux, and Mac systems, as well as the Raspberry Pi 5 – albeit with some limitations due to GPU constraints.
For the Raspberry Pi 5, despite overclocking, the Broadcom VideoCore VII GPU was too weak to run PS3 games at its default resolution of 720p. As a result, games are now running at a lower resolution of 273p, which results in less clarity but most titles still manage to reach a playable frame rate of around 30fps.
What does this mean for the long-term preservation of PS3 gaming? According to the team: “Adding arm64 architectural support is a key step to ensure long term preservation of the PlayStation 3 console, as arm64 CPUs make their way into the conventional desktop and laptop market.”
The news also highlights that RPCS3 has no intention of bringing its emulator to mobile platforms like Android or iOS due to “toxic users” who have harassed previous emulator developers and various scams related to mobile PS3 emulators.
Do you plan to try out RPCS3 on an ARM64 device?
RPCS3 will RUN on a Raspberry Pi, but that doesn’t imply a playable framerate. <30FPS at some gritty resolution doesn’t meet the threshold for me. There’s some laws of physics at play here. The Pi 5 can’t muster up enough cycles to look nice and have a playable framerate. I’m glad the emulator is going to prioritize ARM, but this is more a move for the future vs today. Perhaps the Raspberry Pi 8 will have enough horsepower to actually do the job properly, and we’re seeing the beginnings of that ship today.