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7 Best PS Emulators for Android Phone

Elsa Updated on Jun 26, 2025 Filed to: Screen Mirroring

PS1 emulators allow you to play classic PlayStation 1 games on modern devices. With a variety of options available, each emulator offers unique features such as performance, accuracy, and customization.

In this article, we'll introduce the top PlayStation 1 emulators, highlighting their strengths and helping you choose the best one for your gaming needs.

  • 1 :Top 7 Recommended PS Emulators
  • 2 :How to Play PS Games on a Large Screen TVhot-tip
  • 3 :Things to Consider When Choosing a PS Emulator
  • 4 :Conclusion

Part 1: Top 7 Recommended PS Emulators

PlayStation one emulators offer excellent versatility and are widely compatible with various devices. This includes powerful desktop PCs, macOS systems, various Linux distributions, Android smartphones and tablets, Raspberry Pi single-board computers, and dedicated retro handheld consoles. This broad platform support helps bring classic games to a wider audience.

Note:

  • PS1 emulators are legal as they only simulate the gaming system, but they require both BIOS files and game ROMs/ISOs to function.
  • Game ROMs or ISOs are often copyrighted, and downloading games you don’t own is illegal. To stay within legal boundaries, only use ROMs from games you legally own. You can create backups of your physical games for personal use, but downloading unlicensed ROMs is considered piracy. Additionally, make sure the BIOS file matches the region of your game for better compatibility.
  • DuckStation
  • RetroArch
  • Mednafen
  • ePSXe

1DuckStation

DuckStation is a highly praised PS1 emulator known for its excellent accuracy and performance. It often surpasses Sony's official emulator in rigorous tests. The emulator aims to provide high accuracy while maintaining exceptional performance, making it suitable for a wide range of devices, even lower-end ones.

DuckStation

Its user interface (UI) is modern, visually appealing, and intuitive, making it accessible to both new and experienced users. DuckStation also integrates several modern enhancements, such as upscaling capabilities (up to 8K), texture filtering options, and support for high-quality rendering techniques like PGXP (geometry accuracy).

Pros

  • Exceptional accuracy and performance across a wide range of devices.
  • User-friendly interface, especially praised on Android.
  • Built-in enhancements (e.g., high-res upscaling, PGXP) for a more immersive gaming experience.
  • Support for PAL games running at 60fps where applicable.
  • Active development with frequent updates.
  • Customizable controls, cheat codes, and save states.

Cons

  • While it supports many features, the configuration might overwhelm some users who are new to emulation.
  • Advanced graphical enhancements may require more powerful hardware for optimal performance.

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (32/64-bit ARM and x86 devices).

Recommendation:DuckStation is highly recommended for modern users seeking high accuracy and performance, with a simple yet powerful interface. It’s ideal for those who want a hassle-free experience with a variety of integrated features. Online reviews highlight its superior performance and ease of use.

2 RetroArch: The Multi-Function Ecosystem

RetroArch is an open-source, multi-system emulator frontend that uses various “cores” to emulate different platforms, including PS1. For PS1, RetroArch primarily uses high-accuracy cores like Beetle PSX (Mednafen core) and PCSX ReARMed.

retroarch emulator

It offers extensive customization options, allowing users to adjust video, audio, and input settings to their preferences. RetroArch also supports online multiplayer functionality and a rewind feature to undo mistakes or explore alternate strategies.

Pros

  • Supports a wide variety of retro platforms beyond PS1.
  • Extensive customization options for video, audio, and controls.
  • Online multiplayer support with low-latency peer-to-peer connections.
  • Rewind functionality for quick corrections during gameplay.
  • Cross-platform compatibility.

Cons

  • Steep learning curve, especially for new users.
  • Configuration can be time-consuming due to the number of options and menu structures.
  • Complex setup required to get the most out of the emulator.

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS (including Apple Silicon), Linux, Android, Raspberry Pi, and many retro gaming consoles.

Recommendation: RetroArch is perfect for users who enjoy deep customization and want a unified platform for multiple retro systems. It is ideal for advanced users or those who need extensive control over their emulation experience. While it has a challenging setup process, its versatility and community support make it a great choice for emulation enthusiasts.

3Mednafen: The Purist’s Choice

Mednafen is widely regarded as one of the most accurate PS1 emulators, surpassing even Sony’s official emulator in terms of fidelity. It is an open-source, multi-system emulator designed with a focus on precise simulation of classic hardware.

Mednafen

Mednafen lacks a graphical user interface (GUI) by default, relying on command-line interface (CLI) controls, which can be a challenge for less experienced users. It requires external frontend tools like Mednaffe for better accessibility.

Pros

  • Known for unparalleled accuracy and fidelity to the original PS1 hardware.
  • Supports multiple retro systems in addition to PS1.
  • Excellent compatibility with games, offering the best simulation of hardware behavior.

Cons

  • No native GUI; requires command-line usage or third-party frontends for better accessibility.
  • Limited to native resolution output, which may appear blurry or pixelated on modern displays.
  • Requires specific BIOS files for optimal functionality.
  • Lack of built-in graphical enhancements.

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Recommendation: Mednafen is best suited for purists and developers who prioritize accuracy over user-friendliness. It is ideal for those who are comfortable with the command line and are willing to sacrifice modern graphical enhancements for the sake of preserving the original hardware’s behavior.

4ePSXe: The Legacy Emulator

ePSXe is one of the oldest and most popular PS1 emulators. It has long been considered the gold standard for PS1 emulation, especially on Android.

ePSXe

Known for its high compatibility with a wide range of PS1 games, ePSXe uses a plugin-based system to allow users to customize graphics, sound, and input according to their hardware preferences. Despite being somewhat outdated, it remains a reliable choice for many users.

Pros

  • Excellent game compatibility with a large library of PS1 games.
  • Plugin-based system for extensive customization of graphics, sound, and controls.
  • Relatively low system requirements, making it suitable for older devices.
  • Features like save states, cheat codes, and OpenGL graphics enhancement.

Cons

  • Development has slowed down, with the latest update released in 2016.
  • Dependency on plugins, which may cause compatibility issues and a complicated setup process.
  • The Android version is paid, whereas the PC version is free.

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.

Recommendation: ePSXe is recommended for those who have older hardware or prefer a familiar interface. While it may not be the most cutting-edge emulator, it remains a good choice for users seeking compatibility with a broad range of games and a user-friendly experience. However, it is less recommended for those seeking the latest updates and features.

5Other Notable Emulators

  • PCSX-Reloaded: A branch of the original PCSX, this emulator is known for its stability and ease of use. It is a solid choice for users who may face compatibility issues with DuckStation or Mednafen.
  • XEBRA: A Japanese emulator that focuses on high accuracy, XEBRA is unique for supporting Sony’s PocketStation memory card. While it’s limited in its graphical capabilities, it’s a good option for players seeking extreme fidelity.
  • BizHawk: Primarily designed for speedrunners, BizHawk offers advanced tools for tool-assisted speedruns (TAS) while maintaining high accuracy for PS1 games. It's ideal for users who are focused on competitive play and speedrunning.

Below is the comparison table of these top recommended PS emulators:

EmulatorAccuracyPerformanceUser-FriendlinessCustomizationCross-Platform SupportIdeal Use Case
DuckStation★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★Modern users, high fidelity and performance
RetroArch★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★★★Advanced users, multi-system needs
Mednafen★★★★★★★★☆☆★☆☆☆☆★★☆☆☆★★★☆☆Purists, developers, high accuracy
ePSXe★★★☆☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆Low-end devices, legacy users
PCSX-Reloaded★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★☆☆★★★★☆Users with older hardware, compatibility issues
XEBRA★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★☆☆☆☆★★★★☆Japanese players, high accuracy
BizHawk★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★Speedrunners, competitive players

Part 2: How to Play PS Games on a Large Screen TV

To play PS games on your smartphone, you’ll need an emulator, but the small screen on your smartphone can limit the dynamic gameplay experience. Wouldn’t it be great if you could project the screen to a larger display, like a PC or TV, to enjoy it even more? The AirDroid Cast app allows you to do just that.

With AirDroid Cast, you can mirror your smartphone’s gameplay onto your PC or TV and control it with a keyboard and mouse. Since AirDroid Cast is free, you should try it out.

Free Download
  1. Step 1. Download and install “AirDroid Cast” on your smartphone, and “AirDroid Cast TV” from your Android TV’s app store. Then, launch the app. It is recommended that both your smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Download and install AirDroid Cast

  3. Step 2. The home screen shows two connection methods. You’ll see a QR code or a cast code under the wireless section.
  4. QR Code or Cast Code displayed

  5. Step 3. Start the cast request from the sending device. Once connected, the GameBoy Advance (GBA) gameplay will be displayed on the large screen, enhancing the gameplay experience.
  6. Game displayed on large screen for enhanced gameplay

If you don’t want to install the app, we recommend the AirDroid Cast Web Version. It’s a powerful feature that allows seamless browser casting, providing a better training, presentation, everyday communication, and entertainment experience.

Part 3: Things to Consider When Choosing a PS Emulator

Compatibility

The first thing to consider is how many PS games the emulator can run. If compatibility is low, you won’t be able to play many PS games, and the emulator wouldn’t be very useful. Choose an emulator with the highest possible compatibility with games.

Ease of Setup

Even if the emulator has high compatibility, if it's difficult to set up, it can be a challenge for beginners. You should compare the ease of installation, including whether it requires BIOS, and choose the emulator that’s easiest to set up.

Free Usage

Consider whether the emulator is free to use. If two emulators offer the same performance, it’s better to go with the free option. However, if you decide to go for a paid emulator, make sure to compare its performance, ease of use, and other features.

Part 4: Conclusion

This article introduced the top 10 recommended PS emulators. You’ve likely understood which ones support Android smartphones, and the pros and cons of each emulator.

These emulators will allow you to play PS games on your smartphone, and if you want to mirror the gameplay to a larger screen like a PC or TV, you can easily do so using the “AirDroid Cast” app.

Once you’ve set up an emulator, try using AirDroid Cast to play on a large screen.

pic cast pop 01

AirDroid Cast

  • Local and remote screen casting
  • Android/iOS/Windows/TV screen mirroring
  • Wireless and USB connections
  • Full control over Android and iOS at your fingertips
  • Mirror multiple screens
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Elsa
Elsa
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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