PS1 Emulator for Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Okay then everyone, this is how to install and get up and running with a PS1 emulator for your Mac running Snow Leopard.

Without any hesitation, let's get started!
You will need:
*Mac with Snow Leopard (Other versions are untested)
*Internet access (Already got)

Step 1: Downloads

First off, you're going to want to download these files.

Off external sites:
PCSX-test3.dmg
Playstation Bios Files.zip

OR

Off Instructables:
-Click the file links below-

Step 2: Install 'PCSX'

All files downloaded, now it's time to install them.
Double click 'PCSX-test3.dmg' to open and mount it.

When it's mounted simply drag the 'PCSX' file into your applications folder.

Read the 'ReadMe!' file for information, it's not that helpful but read it anyway.

Now un-mount the disk image. - Click the little eject button after it's name.

Step 3: Install the PS1 BIOS

Now, open up PCSX. It should open up normally but complain about a missing BIOS.
Now, close PCSX. This step creates the neccesary location for us to put the BIOS files into. (EDIT: Thanks for pointing it out uselessparadigm)

Now to install the PS1 BIOS.
Double click 'Playstation Bios Files.zip' to unzip the folder.

Bring up a new finder window and navigate to:
Your user account name e.g. 'spikematthewspadley'.
Library
Application Support
Pcsx
Bios

Now take all the files that were unzipped from 'Playstaion Bios Files.zip' and drag them into the Bios folder.

Step 4: Open PCSX

Wait! You're not done yet, we still need to change the preferences.

So open up PCSX.
Go to the top menu bar (See picture)
And choose 'PCSX' - 'Preferences'.

Now. You want to un-tick the 'Dynarec CPU core' option.

Step 5: Almost There

Now then. This bit's simple.
Take your PS1 game.
Put it in the CD drive.

Now.
Go back into PCSX
And in the menu bar click (Photo)
File
Run CD

Step 6: You're Done!

Finished! You should now be emulating your PS1 games on your Mac. :)

Comments

[AlejandroB30]

what if i dont have cd-rom, just .iso files??

[mreyes21]

Thanks!

[lpinney]

OK, tried most of my PS1 games, and the only one that worked was Oddworld - and that didn't really work. There were just a few opening images hitching on the screen. I couldn't get to the point of actually playing a game, and if I did, it looks like the performance would have been far, far too poor to actually play it. The 'screen' is just a smallish wind in the center of the actual screen. Good thing a still have a PS 1 floating around here, somewhere. It not the large grey one - it's the little white one with a detachable screen.

So, it could be safe to say that a MacBook Air (13') with a SuperDrive, running OS X 10.6.8 it not an ideal setup for this PS1 Emulator.

[lpinney]

Well, I did all that, and things seemed to have gone well. I installed everything according to the instructions provided and found all the instructions said I should, blah blah, blah, blah...

But I have not yet tested any PS1 CDs yet because I am using a 2011 Macbook Air. I bought the Superdrive with it, but am too lazy just now to get up out of bed, find it, plug it in... Dig out my PS1 collection... Which is pretty good, by the way. I sort of collect video games - until there were just too many to store\manage. I just traded 131 PS2 games for a WMD Warbeast BC Rich and a Bronze Bich. I still have about two hundred games left...

Say, I remember a PS1 Emulator that was commercially availably for a short time - until they got a Cease & Desists order from Sony. This was back in the mid-90s, so I may be remembering the name wrong... Was it, BLEEN? I passed on the chance to buy a copy, (had no PC then; my new(ish) Gateway was in storage). Later, I found a copy of it on the Internet - a trial copy with no sound. The image was tiny, and I was no so certain about how the controls worked.

[lpinney]

Well, I got out my drive and PS1 games. I have a Macbook Air 2011 with OS X 10.6.8. I tried two titles thus far, and both did not work. MK Trilogy did nothing at all, and MoH brought up a window that was blank.

Anyway, thank for your help - maybe there's something about the MBA that will not allow it to work.

It was a great idea, though, and thanks again for your effort.

[InvaderDig]

This is fantastic. Now I just have to figure out how to do the same with PS2! :) Cheers!

[znathoo1]

Thanks so much. I've been trying to get something like this installed for months now, and end up getting so much garbage on the net that I end up giving up. But your instructions were clear, and very very helpful.
Would you consider doing the same thing with a PS2 emulator? That would be AWESOME!!!

[redsolo]

had to reinstall on an older mac after i had some issues with mine, its 10.4.11 and i get the same "PeopsSoftGL Display" thing mentioned before, but when i try to download the pscx reloaded it says the system doesnt support it. is there any way to fix or get rid of the "PeopsSoftGL Display" screen

[cdoors]

I found a version of PCSX which is an Universal Binary, so it should work much faster on any Intel-based Mac (it does on mine!). You can find it on http://pcsx.gpost.dk/files/Pcsx-1.6pre.zip . I can confirm it works on Leopard, but I'm not sure if it works on Snow leopard.

[ecrosara]

I've any problems to play Gran Turismo 2 CD1: the music has not perfect and ; When careless with my machine, it bounces up to when I can not stop

[gshilux]

Hi i wanted to ask i downloaded rom files but they are in rar format theres 20 rar files. so when i want to burn to i have to extract them all or just burn in all in rar format? please help

[fhartmann1]

great help! does this work with ps2 to?

[srobbins7]

hi, i pretty much did everything to the letter, and it still won't play any spyro games, final fantasy, etc. it says the cdrom can't load it. any suggestions, or give up?

[spikemp]

Does it work with any other games?

[abuie]

Thanks! Been trying to do this forever. Mainly couldn't find a good copy of the BIOS files. Greatly appreciate it, very helpful.

[mddinsmore85]

Thanks for the great tutorial, very easy.
I am running mac 10.5.x and I was wondering if anyone out there has tested it successfully. I can run disk and a black screen appears titled "PeopsSoftGL Display" which changes to PCSX after a few seconds. Other than that, nothing.

Secondly, if this is not possible, is there a way to run .iso or .ROM files?

[spikemp]

You can run .iso files and roms with the new version PCSX-Reloaded, I have an 'ible for that too - https://www.instructables.com/id/Mac-OS-X-Snow-Leopard-Emulator-PCSX-Reloaded/

[wakkax9]

Hey man, really helpful. But Im trying to run my ff9 disc and it works for a second or two but then I get this screen, what can I do about it? and Im runnin 10.6 snowLep

[Tinyhands]

Does this thing run roms to?

[spikemp]

This version doesn't, but if you install PCSX-R it can, I also have an 'ible for that - https://www.instructables.com/id/Mac-OS-X-Snow-Leopard-Emulator-PCSX-Reloaded/