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RPCS3 VS OpenEmu

Compare RPCS3 VS OpenEmu and see what are their differences

RPCS3 logo RPCS3

RPCS3 is an open-source Sony PlayStation 3 emulator for Windows and Linux written in C++.

OpenEmu logo OpenEmu

Console and Arcade video game emulator for macOS.
  • RPCS3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-23
  • OpenEmu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

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.

OpenEmu features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    OpenEmu offers a sleek, organized, and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and manage multiple game emulators from one platform.
  • Multi-System Support
    Supports a wide range of game systems including Nintendo, Sega, Sony PlayStation, and more. This allows users to emulate multiple consoles without needing separate software for each.
  • Integration with macOS
    OpenEmu is specifically designed for macOS, allowing it to leverage the capabilities and features of the operating system effectively.
  • Game Library Management
    Features robust library management tools that allow users to organize, filter, and sort their game collections easily.
  • Save States
    Provides support for save states, enabling users to save and load their game progress at any point.
  • Controller Support
    Supports a wide range of USB and Bluetooth controllers, offering a more authentic gaming experience.
  • Community and Plugin Support
    OpenEmu has a vibrant community that offers plugins and additional emulation cores, increasing the range of supported games and systems.

Possible disadvantages of OpenEmu

  • macOS Exclusivity
    Available only on macOS, limiting its accessibility to users on other operating systems such as Windows or Linux.
  • Legal Gray Area
    Emulating games often involves downloading ROMs, which can be legally ambiguous depending on whether the user owns the original copy of the game.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues with certain emulation cores, leading to lag or crashes during gameplay.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While it is user-friendly, it may lack some advanced features and customization options that power users might seek.
  • Inconsistent Game Compatibility
    Not all games are fully compatible with the available emulation cores, potentially rendering some titles unplayable or glitchy.
  • No Native Online Multiplayer
    Lacks built-in support for online multiplayer gaming, which can be a drawback for users who wish to play with friends remotely.

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

Analysis of OpenEmu

Overall verdict

  • OpenEmu is generally considered a good choice for those looking to play classic games on a Mac. Its ease of use and comprehensive features make it a favorite among users who want a seamless retro gaming experience.

Why this product is good

  • OpenEmu is frequently praised for its user-friendly interface, wide compatibility with different game systems, and convenient features such as save states and controller support. The platform integrates multiple emulators into a single application, making it easy to manage and play retro games from various consoles.

Recommended for

    OpenEmu is recommended for Mac users who are enthusiasts of retro gaming and want an all-in-one solution to organize and play games from multiple gaming systems. It is a great choice for anyone looking to relive classic gaming memories or explore titles from past generations.

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

OpenEmu videos

OpenEmu - How To Run Emulators on a Mac N64 PSP SNES NES And More!

More videos:

  • Review - OpenEMU Mac Multi Platform Retro Game Emulator Review
  • Tutorial - How To Play Retro Games On Mac Using OpenEmu
  • Tutorial - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aXNC93CAxTw

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RPCS3 and OpenEmu)
Gaming
33 33%
67% 67
Emulators
32 32%
68% 68
Gaming Tools
24 24%
76% 76
Group Chat & Notifications

User comments

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Reviews

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

RPCS3 Reviews

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OpenEmu Reviews

7 Best Mac Emulators For Gamers In 2022
OpenEmu is free, easy to setup, easy to use, supports external controllers, and just makes keeping your retro game collection in one place as easy as possible.
Source: retrododo.com
4 Free Open Source Game Emulators For Windows PC, Linux, and macOS
OpenEmu is modular, and thanks to the work of other great open source projects, it can emulate a wide variety of video game systems (we call them ‘cores’). OpenEmu emulates the following systems:
12 Best Gaming Console Emulators for Mac in 2022
OpenEmu is steadily taking over the emulator market for Mac OS as it is compatible with Mac OS 10.7 and higher.
Source: thebingeful.com
10 Emulators To Turn Your Computer Into A Retro Console
If you have a Mac and a lot of old video games lying around, OpenEmu is most definitely the one to get. With it, you can manage your collection with a beautiful front-end, as OpenEmu can help you name the games and get the box art online automatically.

Social recommendations and mentions

RPCS3 might be a bit more popular than OpenEmu. We know about 109 links to it since March 2021 and only 92 links to OpenEmu. 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.

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
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OpenEmu mentions (92)

  • The UI Future Is Colourful and Dimensional
    "I did a quick mockup" Sure you did.. https://openemu.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 days ago
  • Apple now allows retro game emulators on its App Store
    Tangentially related: if anybody is looking for a good way to organize a library of retro emulators and games on their MacOS laptops/desktop computers then I recommend OpenEmu. It is designed from the ground up to look and feel like a Mac app. https://openemu.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • How do I play TurboGrafx 16 in 2023?
    The Pocket is a great device, highly recommended, get the Dock if you want to buy one. While waiting, I recommend using https://openemu.org/ on your Mac to run "roms", which are files that represent old games. To get the ROMs, google for "tubrografx roms archive.org". Then for a controller on a Mac, you can use a PS4/PS5 or Xbox (One/Series), if you have one lying around. That said, I recommend buying an SN30 Pro. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help PSX / NEOGEO games
    Huh? Try http://openemu.org/ and download the experimental version (with arcade support). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Lucky Luke Western Fever
    Yeah should be pretty easy if you have the ISO or a disc copy, OpenEmu should do it without issue - https://openemu.org. Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Cemu - Highly experimental software to emulate Wii U applications on PC.