This week brought exciting news from the talented team behind the PlayStation 3 emulator, RPCS3. They proudly announced that they’ve nailed stable, native Arm64 architecture support across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. What’s truly remarkable is that this new support extends even to the modest Raspberry Pi 5, shattering preconceived notions of emulation limits on this tiny powerhouse. Previously, the Raspberry Pi 5 was known to handle GameCube games fairly well and even attempted Wii emulation, although with mixed results. Now, with some clever tweaks, it seems we’re venturing into the realm of PS3 emulation on these entry-level Arm devices.
Running PS3 games on a Raspberry Pi 5? That sounds almost like pushing emulation to its very edges! By scaling the resolution down to PSP levels at 273p, compared to the PS3’s 720p, these devices can render 3D games with surprising competence. Classics like God of War, originally PS2 staples, Catherine, and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, to name a few, can now be explored on this device. Sure, 2D games will naturally run more smoothly, but still, witnessing PS3-era 3D games in play on such a device is something few would have imagined possible.
Over in Apple land, macOS users are also in for a treat. Native Arm architecture support, rather than relying on x86 emulation, has resulted in substantial performance boosts for those on Apple Silicon hardware. Imagine this: framerate improvements soaring between 50% to even 100%, simply by operating natively rather than grappling with x86 translation. This is not just theory but a substantial leap forward, making Arm-driven PlayStation 3 emulation a tangible reality.
While the Raspberry Pi 5 might give you a PSP-esque experience, Apple Silicon showcases a whole different level of performance. Titles that demand true PS3 power, like God of War III and Skate 3, are being emulated with impressive proficiency. These games, often harder to emulate than mere HD ports from PS2, are now well within the reach of Arm architecture devices—provided the hardware has the strength to support them.
In short, whether you’re tinkering with a Raspberry Pi or gaming on a sleek Mac, this breakthrough marks a new chapter in the emulation world, bringing us all closer to reliving the PS3 glory days across diverse platforms.
