How to download and install RPCS3 PS3 Emulator on Windows, Linux and MAC?

RPCS3 is an open source PS3 emulator using which you can play Sony PlayStation 3 games on your Windows, Linux, MAC and FreeBSD devices. After the launches of popular PSP and PS2 emulator DH and Hykem developers started working on RPCS3 PS3 emulator to independently play its games on computers.

RPCS3 is based on the C++ programming language and later back end graphics renderers such as OpenGL, DirectX 12 and  Vulcan Libraries supports were also added to make it compatible with more playable games. Due to continuous peoples support RPCS3 has also extended its team. Currently RPCS3 has tested five thousands plus playable games.

RPCS3 emulation project was initially released and hosted on Google Code and was later moved to the GitHub. As of now its latest version just released in this August and many improvements, along with the game data tests can be found on RPCS3 official blogs. Now let’s go through RPCS3 minimum requirements and compatibility for your computer.

RPCS3 Compatibility and Minimum Requirements

Sony’s PlayStation 3 was launched with the intentions to make it compatible with high end games and hence certain high end resourceful device is required to emulate PS3 games on your computer. RPCS3 official build were launched for 64 bit Windows (10, 8, 7), Linux and BSD operating systems but you can make it compatible on MAC after emulating Windows or Linux on MAC. At least 2GB of RAM Memory will work but 4GB RAM is required for the smooth working. Any 64 bit dual core processor with integrated or external Graphics with OpenGL 4.3 support will work. You also need to meet certain software needs such as latest Microsoft Visual C++, DirectX support and compatible AppImage for Linux users.

You also need to download and link the latest PlayStation 3 firmware directory in RPCS3 settings. RPCS3 also suggest only to run purchased games titles through official game drive.

How to download and install RPCS3 on Windows?

RPCS3 is compatible with 64 bit Windows 10, 8 or 7 versions but it will work much better on the latest Windows 10 stable update. You will also need the latest software supports of Visual C++ and DirectX release. If your computer meets all the minimum requirements then let’s start with the RPCS3 installation on your Windows Computer.

1. Download RPCS3 emulator for Windows from its official site.
2. Extract it on your desktop.
3. Download PS3 firmware from PlayStation Website.
   
4. Open RPCS3 emulator folder and launch RPCS3.exe file.
5. Click on File and select Install Firmware option.
6. Navigate to the downloaded RPCS3 firmware PSPUPDAT.PUP file.
7. Let it compile the PS3 firmware.
8. Move your PS3 game to the dev_hdd0>disc folder.
9. All the games will appear in the RPCS3 emulator Windows.
10. Launch the game in order to play PS3 games on your Windows Computer.
11. First launch will compile the game before launching and first play will render all the assets of the game. You need to relaunch the Game for the smooth Game Play.

So this is the procedure to install and play PS3 games on Windowss using RPCS3 emulator. You can copy PS3 games from the game discs you own or Google from where to download PS3 games to emulate using RPCS3. First make sure the game is compatible and playable using RPCS3 before downloading it from online sources.

RPCS3 on Linux

RPCS3 Developers has also made its AppImage file available for Linux based computers. RPCS3 AppImage file is available hence you do not need to install it in traditional way. First we will make it executable and then directly run it through command prompt.

1. Download RPCS3 for Linux.
2. Download the latest PlayStation 3 Update from Sony’s PS official site.
3. Rename RPCS3 downloaded file as ‘RPCS3.AppImage’.
4. Open command prompt and enter command to change the directory to the download folder.
   

   cd ‘/home/user_name/Downloads’

   Change the user_name with your computer’s user name.

5. Give the execution permission to the RPCS3 emulator.
   

   chmod a+x ./RPCS3.AppImage

6. Run the RPCS3 emulator.
   

   ./RPCS3.AppImage

   

7. Select the first ‘file‘ option and click on install firmware.
8. Chose the downloaded PS3 firmware and wait till RPCS3 finishes the compilation.
9. Again select the file option and click on Add Game and select the directory containing one or more games.

So that’s how you can play PS3 games on your Linux Device.

RPCS3 on MAC

RPCS3 is officially not available for MAC but using a trick we can also emulate PlayStation 3 on MAC too. There are two ways to achieve this goal either by emulating Windows or Linux on your MacBook or by dual booting your MAC with Windows or Linux. Then you can easily install RPCS3 on your MAC by following our previous solutions.

There are range for compatible and easy to rely on software available to emulate Windows and Linux on MAC, let’s checkout the options. First and most used software is VirtualBox, it is most widely used by MacBook users to try out different Windows software on the apple devices and it works perfectly for most of them. VirtualBox is free to use also supports various Linux and old Windows versions.

Emulating Windows on MAC isn’t much reliable for playing Windows Games and hence dual booting MAC device with the Windows is the best option to go for. If you have enough experience with the command prompt then you can also multi boot your MAC with the Linux and enjoy the ultimate RPCS3 emulator on your MAC.

So this was the ultimate guide on using RPCS3 emulator on Windows, MAC and Linux. I hope that it prove you helpful in playing PS3 games on your computer. You can also inform us about better PS3 emulators in the comment section.