RPCS3, the Sony PlayStation 3 Emulator, Now Offers Native Arm64 Support, Including Compatibility with Raspberry Pi 5

This week, the team behind the PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 hit a major milestone, announcing stable support for the Arm64 architecture across Windows, macOS, and Linux. This development is so thorough that even the Raspberry Pi 5 can now run PS3 emulation. It’s pushing boundaries many thought unreachable with this device. Historically, the Raspberry Pi 5 has dabbled in emulating GameCube and Wii games—though it handled the Wii with less finesse. Yet, with the right tweaks, even the ambitious task of PS3 emulation is possible on today’s basic Arm hardware.

The Raspberry Pi 5’s ability to emulate PS3 games is truly a feat, though it involves some clever trickery. By reducing the output resolution to match that of a PSP, 273p, instead of the PS3’s native 720p, it opens doors to experience 3D games more smoothly. Titles like the HD versions of God of War, which originally hailed from the PS2, Catherine, and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, become playable. Sure, 2D games run far more seamlessly, but seeing 3D titles from the PS3 era active on a Raspberry Pi 5 is a thrilling sight for any emulation enthusiast.

Meanwhile, on the macOS front, the native Arm architecture support is proving to be a game-changer for Apple Silicon devices playing PS3 games. By bypassing the x86 emulation, these devices enjoy a significant performance boost, with framerates jumping between 50 to 100%. This advancement turns once-distant dreams of fluid Arm-powered PS3 emulation into a palpable reality.

In contrast to the Raspberry Pi 5, which mimics a PlayStation Portable, Apple Silicon devices can flex their muscles, running demanding PS3 titles like God of War III and Skate 3 with notable ease. These games, far more complex than PS2 re-releases like God of War HD, are still highly playable, demonstrating the prowess of Arm architecture when it has the horsepower to match.