Our verdict: DuckStation is one of the most accurate and convenient PlayStation 1 emulators, with a clean game list and sharp upscaling. It is free, but no longer open source: the code is now under a non-commercial, no-derivatives license. You must dump the BIOS from your own console; no BIOS or games are included.
About DuckStation
DuckStation is developed by Stenzek (Connor McLaughlin) and contributors. It was originally released under the GNU GPL, but the project now uses the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license: you can download and use it for free and read the source, but modified or commercial redistribution is not allowed.
A PS1 or PS2 BIOS image is required to start games, and it is not provided for legal reasons. The developers ask you to dump it from your own console. Games must also come from discs you own, as bin/cue, CHD and similar images.
What it does well
- Upscaling and true colour. Hardware renderers for Direct3D 11, Direct3D 12, Vulkan and OpenGL with upscaling and 24-bit colour.
- PGXP. Fixes the typical PS1 polygon wobble and texture warping.
- Save states and rewind. Save anywhere, rewind gameplay and use runahead for lower input lag.
- Big Picture mode. Controller-friendly fullscreen interface for TVs.
- Memory card tools. Per-game memory cards, a memory card editor and save importer.
Who it is for
Good fit
Players who own PS1 games and a console to dump the BIOS from and want the best picture quality.
Look elsewhere
People who need an open-source emulator, or anyone without their own PS1 or PS2 to dump a BIOS from.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very accurate PS1 emulation
- Upscaling and PGXP for sharper 3D
- Fast and polished interface
- Built-in updater
Cons
- Not open source anymore (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
- Requires a BIOS dumped from your own console
- No games included
How to install DuckStation
Run the x64 installer; it installs to your user programs folder and can add Start Menu and desktop shortcuts. The first-run wizard asks for the BIOS folder and your game folders. If your CPU lacks SSE4.1, download the SSE2 build from the same release page instead. The built-in updater follows the stable channel by default.
Questions about DuckStation
Is DuckStation free?
Yes. DuckStation costs nothing. It is source available under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, which forbids commercial use and modified redistribution, so it is no longer open source.
Does DuckStation need a BIOS?
Yes. A PS1 or PS2 BIOS image is required and is not included; the developers ask you to dump it from your own console.
Is DuckStation still open source?
No. It was GPL-licensed earlier, but the current code uses the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, which is not an open-source license.
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