Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

RetroArch VS RPCS3

Compare RetroArch VS RPCS3 and see what are their differences

RetroArch logo RetroArch

RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.

RPCS3 logo RPCS3

RPCS3 is an open-source Sony PlayStation 3 emulator for Windows and Linux written in C++.
  • RetroArch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-22
  • RPCS3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-23

RetroArch features and specs

  • Versatility
    RetroArch supports a wide range of gaming platforms and can emulate many different system cores, making it highly versatile for users who want to play games from various consoles.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    RetroArch is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, enabling users to have a consistent experience across different devices.
  • High Customizability
    Users can customize keybindings, video, and audio settings extensively. There are numerous shaders and overlays that can be applied to enhance the gaming experience.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Features like save states, netplay, rewind, and achievements add a modern twist to retro gaming and are robustly implemented in RetroArch.
  • Active Development Community
    An active development community continually updates RetroArch with new features, bug fixes, and emulation cores, ensuring ongoing improvements and support.

Possible disadvantages of RetroArch

  • Complex Setup
    The setup process for RetroArch can be complex, especially for newcomers. Configuring cores, bios files, and controller setups might require a steep learning curve.
  • Performance Issues
    Some cores may not run smoothly or may have compatibility issues depending on the user's hardware or the specific game being emulated.
  • User Interface
    The user interface, while powerful and feature-rich, can be daunting and unintuitive for those not familiar with emulation software.
  • Legal Concerns
    Users must be cautious about the legality of ROMs and BIOS files, as downloading them without owning the original game or system is illegal in many jurisdictions.
  • Resource Intensive
    RetroArch can be resource-intensive, potentially causing lag or crashes on older or less powerful hardware, especially when using advanced features like shaders.

RPCS3 features and specs

  • Open Source
    RPCS3 is an open-source project, meaning anyone can contribute to its development and improvement, allowing for a collaborative and transparent development process.
  • Cross-Platform
    It is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users regardless of their operating system.
  • Constant Updates
    The emulator receives frequent updates and improvements which enhance performance, fix bugs, and add new features, providing a better user experience over time.
  • High Compatibility
    RPCS3 supports a large number of PlayStation 3 games, and the compatibility list is continuously expanding as development progresses.
  • Enhanced Graphics and Performance
    The emulator allows users to run games at higher resolutions and improved performance compared to the original hardware, potentially offering a superior gaming experience.

Possible disadvantages of RPCS3

  • High System Requirements
    Running RPCS3 efficiently requires a powerful computer, with high-end CPU and GPU specifications, which might be inaccessible for users with older or budget hardware.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up the emulator and configuring games can be complicated, requiring a certain level of technical knowledge and familiarity with emulation.
  • Variable Game Compatibility
    Although many games are playable, not all PlayStation 3 games run perfectly, with some experiencing issues such as crashes, graphical glitches, or performance dips.
  • Legal Concerns
    The use of emulators like RPCS3 can raise legal issues, particularly regarding the acquisition of PlayStation 3 BIOS and game ROMs, which should be obtained legally by users.

Analysis of RetroArch

Overall verdict

  • Yes, RetroArch is generally considered a good platform for emulating and playing retro games.

Why this product is good

  • RetroArch is a powerful, open-source front-end for emulators, game engines, and media players. It offers a unified interface and a wide range of features such as real-time rewind, run-ahead input latency reduction, and dynamic rate control to reduce audio stuttering. It also supports advanced configurations and has a vibrant community that contributes to its continuous development and wide-ranging emulator core support.

Recommended for

  • Gamers who enjoy retro and classic video games
  • Users looking for an all-in-one emulator solution
  • Customization enthusiasts who want extensive configuration options
  • Individuals interested in multi-platform support, as RetroArch runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and more

Analysis of RPCS3

Overall verdict

  • Yes, RPCS3 is a good PlayStation 3 emulator.

Why this product is good

  • RPCS3 is frequently updated with new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. It can run a wide variety of PS3 games with decent to excellent performance depending on the game and hardware used. The emulator has a strong community and developer support, making it a reliable choice for PS3 emulation.

Recommended for

  • Gamers who want to play PS3 games on their PC
  • Preservationists interested in maintaining access to PS3 titles
  • Developers looking to understand and work on emulation technology
  • PC users with adequate hardware to support PS3 emulation

RetroArch videos

RetroArch - Getting Started! Your Ultimate Retro Gaming PC! [Setup and Demonstration]

More videos:

RPCS3 videos

RPCS3 | Why Is the PS3 so Hard to Emulate?

More videos:

  • Review - RPCS3 | PS3 Emulator | CPU Demands!
  • Review - RPCS3 | Top 25 Fully Playable PS3 Games! (PS3 Emulator) 1080p

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RetroArch and RPCS3)
Gaming
81 81%
19% 19
Emulators
83 83%
17% 17
Gaming Tools
86 86%
14% 14
Media Player
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare RetroArch and RPCS3

RetroArch Reviews

Best DS Emulator: Are These Emulators Safe And Legal To Use?
RetroArch also supports a wide range of controller types, making it a great choice for gamers who want to use their favorite controller.
Source: appletoo.us
5 Best Nintendo DS Emulators for PC
It has highlights like RetroArch are shaders, netplay, rewinding, next-frame response times, run ahead, machine translation, blind accessibility features, and much more.
Best emulators for Android in 2023
RetroArch is a popular open-source front-end for emulators. If you’re into playing retro games, RetroArch is your one-stop shop for all your emulating needs. It's not an emulator by itself but instead allows you to add "cores" that act as the backend to emulate several legacy consoles. While most of its most popular emulators are already covered here by dedicated apps, it...
5 of the Best GameBoy Advance (GBA) Emulators for Android
RetroArch is a poster child worldwide of emulation, specifically due to the fact that it’s not precisely an emulator. The retroArch is best refer to as a solitary, unified application where you can communicate with other emulators.
4 Free Open Source Game Emulators For Windows PC, Linux, and macOS
In addition to this, you are able to run original game discs (CDs) from RetroArch. RetroArch has advanced features like shaders, netplay, rewinding, next-frame response times, runahead, machine translation, blind accessibility features, and more! What systems does it play?

RPCS3 Reviews

We have no reviews of RPCS3 yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, RPCS3 should be more popular than RetroArch. It has been mentiond 109 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

RetroArch mentions (20)

  • RetroArch cannot be found on the PlayStore, the first result is a copycat. It is just me?
    No, isn't just you. Every 64-bit phone haves the Play Store Retroarch available, the 32-bits no. But you can still download the 32-bit version on the Retroarch website. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Cause of the intrusion has been found and isolated. Sites are operational again.
    It was only the download links on retroarch.com on the Platforms page that got (briefly) redirected for a few hours. That should all be safe now. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Malicious download links?
    Yes, only the retroarch.com and libretro.com websites were affected. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Recent update from supposed hackers
    I went to retroarch.com and it said "discord.gg/evaderz is big haxors" its unrespectable. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Latest RetroArch on Xiaomi Mi box
    I've got installed RetroArch Plus from Google Play on my Xiaomi Mi box 4k and I want to update it to the latest version. I downloaded apk from retroarch.com but when I use apk installer to update it say is not compatible. I removed version from Google Play but fresh install 1.15.0 is not compatible too. I tried 32 and 64 version. What I'm doing wrong? Is any other AndroidTV version? Source: about 2 years ago
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RPCS3 mentions (109)

  • Idk if anyone's done a one-handed hitless run of the game or anything crazy like that, and this is 100% not that (i get hit A LOT on these runs) but Im still pretty proud of this.
    The emulator: https://rpcs3.net/ The rom: https://vimm.net/vault/24833 I forget if you need anything else but finding a video on YouTube is not very hard for rpcs3, a bit complicated, sorry I can't remember how to do it all, it's been a while. Source: over 1 year ago
  • A Comprehensive Guide to Methods for Playing the Sly Cooper Games
    What you'll need: A PC with a decent CPU (RPCS3 tierlist of CPUs), a legally obtained copy of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (eBay link for physical; getting your own digital copies of PS3 games is a bit more complex and requires jailbreaking your PS3, I recommend MrMario2011's channel for any PS3 jailbreaking you need to do... Or Google), and a PS3 emulator for PC (RPCS3 is the only one you should look at). Note... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Rokid Max Review and Many Tips
    Finally, there is a sizeable catalog of PlayStation 3 games that support 3D, which you can output in SBS using the RPCS3 emulator. Their resolution is quite low but the stereo effect can still be impressive. Note that normally only half SBS is supported, but some games might have a community patch for widescreen resolutions, in which case full SBS might be possible. Make sure to set Configuration -> GPU -> 3D to... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Local Co-op Action RPGs on PC
    Platform: PS3, Xbox360 ans Switch. No local multiplayer on PC (booo). Plays "ok" on RPCS3. Haven't tested on Xbox360. Plays great on RyujinX though ! Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Do you think the Switch is THE console that will finally let you keep your stuff?
    There are more PlayStation exclusives on Steam than not, with emulation being a viable option for those few games that aren't. Also, Chiaki exists for streaming from a PS4/PS5 to a PC like a Steam Deck. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing RetroArch and RPCS3, you can also consider the following products

OpenEmu - Console and Arcade video game emulator for macOS.

PCSX2 - PCSX2 a Playstation 2 emulator for android, Linux and Mac

LaunchBox - LaunchBox is a portable, box-art-based games database and launcher for DOSBox, emulators, arcade cabinets, and PC Games. Download it free!

Dolphin Emulator - Official website of Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator. Download the latest version (5. 0-5763) now or ask questions on our forums for help. Enter your search in the box aboveDownloadDownload the latest version of the Dolphin Emulator (5.

Batocera.linux - Batocera.linux is an open-source and completely free retro-gaming distribution that can be copied to a USB stick or an SD card with the aim of turning any computer/nano computer into a gaming console during a game or permanently.

Play! PS2 Emulator - Play! is an attempt at creating an emulator for the PlayStation 2 console on the Win32 platform.