Table of Contents
Sony PlayStation
This page is for the first PlayStation system, not the series of consoles. For this, see Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PlayStation 4, Sony PlayStation 5, Sony PlayStation Portable, Sony PlayStation Vita, and Sony PlayStation Classic.
Sony's pioneering entry into the video games market. Releasing on September 9th, 1995 in North America, the PS1's R3000A CPU, 3 MB of RAM (across 2 purposes), and 16.7 mil colors at resolutions between 256×224 and 640×480 was not the most powerful, but was leveraged very effectively by Sony. Selling over 100 million units, the PS1 set sales records in video gaming and forged a path to come for the PlayStation brand.
Operating Systems (MIPS 3051 of R3000A)
Console emulation (potential)
Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.
NEC TurboGrafx-16 – fPCE
Nintendo Entertainment System – FCEmu + alt. link, PNESx + alt. link, It Might Be NES 1.3.5
Nintendo Game Boy (Color) – aGBe + alt. link, Playstation Gameboy Emulator
Sega Master System – Mastergear 0.2
Emulation Nest
This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the MSX page.
MIPS-OS
An entirely theoretical idea, but this is an OS which runs on the same architecture as the PS1. Other MIPS OSes are equally possible, but with varying levels of accessibility and technical info. Of course, theory is not the same as practice, and while porting these may be possible, it could very well consume too much effort to be worth it.
NetBSD
to create easy to install 'live' and 'install' cd images of the NetBSD Operating System
Nothing ever came of this on the PS1, and completely different people did the PS2 port. Just a funny oddity that’s one step past being completely theoretical since someone made a website for it.
https://web.archive.org/web/20041127060541/http://bsdstation.sourceforge.net/
PC emulation (potential)
Whether these emulators support operating systems for these computers is unknown; it must be looked into further. PCs without meaningful OSes are not included.
CHIP-8 – PSChip8 git
https://github.com/dhustkoder/pschip8
MSXs – fMSX v???
http://www.psxdev.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=320 (sources)
http://www.emulationzone.org/consoles/ps/files/fmsx05p.tgz
Sinclair ZX Spectrums - Spectrum
PS1Linux
Ongoing project to bring Linux back to the sony Playstation 1 [sic]
A newer port based off of the RUNIX work. The author of this plans to reconstruct the RUNIX memory card filesystem structure, alongside improving video drivers and a few other things. However, there has been no progress since July 2020.
RUNIX-PSXLinux
It didn't output and video from memory, just serial.
Sadly, limited in it’s ability at the moment. This is because the RUNIX port requires a missing tool to correctly build rootfs on the PS1's memory card. Otherwise, the port works fine, but it cannot output any graphics from the PS1 (only serial access works). Some posts from November 2022 are appearing about this in the 2nd link - keep an eye on it.
https://web.archive.org/web/20180823111547/https://www.linux-mips.org/wiki/PS1
http://www.psxdev.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=152&start=40
Stock BIOS
This is what came with the console. Just a CD player and memory card management. Functions are the same across all revisions, although designs differ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXV_cxZ7GQw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLKlmRKTvk4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTJzUEM6RPM (revision)
Internet
i-Mode Phone Link
from your PS1: browse the web, send/receive emails, and manage contacts
An adapter cable and i-Mode capable phone was required for this. With those two things, one could use the PS1 as a “larger screen” for the various functionalities i-Mode offered.
http://www.psxdev.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=408
https://threader.app/thread/1137132109837897728
Lightspan Online Connection CD
The Lightspan Online Connection CD is peculiar in that it is one of the only PlayStation games to forcefully require a Memory Card
Finally, a way to truly browse the internet from a PlayStation 1. This CD was being developed long ago, but was never finished or brought to a working state until much more recently. Nowadays, however, the disc is capable of accessing the internet through the PS1's serial port. Despite the work done, it's still a very primitive browser. Apparently, it can't even handle HTTPS. Still, better than nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7jxJF3S1D8
https://archive.org/details/LightspanOnlineConnectionCD
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps/205836-lightspan-online-connection-cd/faqs/75191
PSXNET Library
It supports basic TCP and UDP (untested) communications as well as connecting via DNS
A simple library which can pull files from servers over TCP and UDP. For now, it has no HTTP support, but it could in the future.
https://www.psxhax.com/threads/connect-playstation-ps1-to-the-internet-with-psxnet-library.216/
Other
Fromage
contains sound and music, but only works as a full CD image
A game akin to Minecraft Classic, but on the PS1. Still receiving intermittent updates up to at least 2021. Offers quite a lot of blocks. If using a PS1O, one cannot load the CD image version - best to burn it on a disc to receive the full experience, as the PS1O compatible version does not have any audio.
MTV Music Generator
you'll receive a world-wide royalty-free license to make, use, publish and distribute any works created using the Generator
The first in a series of music creation software for the PlayStation (also on the Xbox, we'll talk of that later). Possibly the most iconic one, but certainly the most valuable one on PriceCharting.
PSXPaint
2 simple painterly pieces of homebrew software for the PS1, one featuring more capabilities than the other. Within the one with more features, one can find memory card support and PlayStation mouse support.
https://www.psx-place.com/resources/psxpaint.392/ (more features)
http://unhaut.epizy.com/psxsdk/gallery.html?i=1 (less features)
Version & Revision Guide
For general information, see the Game Console Revisions Overview.
Versions
There are three versions of this console, arranged chronologically.
“PlayStation (original)” (1995-2000)
RECOMMENDED OVERALL; LOWEST PRICE
The instantly recognizable “fat” gray console. Various revisions exist within this version, all of which change something about the consoles I/O. Up front is 2 controller ports and 2 memory card ports. On the top is the CD drive, and buttons for power/reset/opening the drive. To the back is the aforementioned I/O, which always has AC power, multi video out, and serial I/O. Older revisions will have direct RCA + RFU out and/or parallel I/O. Furthermore, some older revisions have technical and graphical issues or inferiority. Reliability is mixed across all revisions, with some faring worse than others. This version is the most commonly found for the PlayStation.
“Net Yaroze” (1997-2000?)
A slightly different variant of the standard PS1, intended for indie developers and hobbyists. Despite this status, almost nothing is changed in the console’s hardware, although it is black. The only meaningful changes are the lack of region lockout & the different boot ROM. Everything else of note relates to the extras the system shipped with. Of course, they’re much more expensive than normal PlayStations, due to being a lot rarer. The one potential upside is that they have direct RCA + RFU out, whilst also seemingly containing the superior SGRAM (possibly the better laser too, some disagree). For this reason alone, the Net Yaroze may be worth purchasing, as no other NTSC-U PS1 has this pairing of features.
“PS one” (2000-2006)
A price-reduced and size-shrunken version of the PS1, colored in white with a rounded design. While they are certainly very common, the PS one invariably goes for a slightly higher price than the standard system. Furthermore, the I/O of this console is even more reduced than the last standards, as the PS one does not even have a serial port or a reset button. Some people dispute this part with the serial port, and claim that the port hardware persists on the PSone's motherboard in some capacity, which allows restoring it. Furthermore, the PSones appear to have good reliability, and their tiny size is useful for someone with little space. Because of this, they do not receive a Do Not Buy tag.
Revisions
There are 5 revisions within the PlayStation (original), and no revisions within the Net Yaroze and PS one.
PlayStation (original) revisions:
Important note about optical drive emulators and wiki recommendations:
There are two optical drive emulators available for the PlayStation 1, and they have quite the rivalry in the community. The more expensive is the PS1O; the cheaper is the xStation. In short, the PS1O, installed to the parallel port, allows using the original drive, and it can be unplugged in order to free up the parallel. However, it has a very poor DRM system for firmware updates (eliminates easy resale), and reports of both compatibility and company kindness are VERY mixed. It works on any model with a parallel port, and possibly every model w/ difficulty. In contrast, the xStation completely replaces the original drive of the console. However, it is further integrated with other mod peripherals, like the MemCard Pro, and appears to have both superior compatibility and company kindness. It works on earlier revisions with a separate CD-DSP. Due to the significant EOP-related benefits of both the PS1O (preserve drive & parallel) and the xStation (no closed DRM, functions better/company nicer), the wiki takes no stance on which emulator is superior. This is a decision you must make on your own. Thus, the “recommended overall” tag will be split into two, recommended overall for xStation, and for PS1O.
“SCPH-1001” (1995)
The first PlayStation, possessing the most ports; direct RCA + RFU in addition to parallel/serial/etc. Alongside that, the DVD tray has the laser/”black” area up top, instead of to the right. Due to a poor CD drive laser, these consoles experience FMV and music skipping in games to the level of notoriety. Paradoxically, the DAC in these systems made them favorable for music CD playback, supposedly par with the best CD players of their era, not ours (202X). However, these systems use outdated VRAM, resulting in lower (5-bit) shading + worse transparency blending. This leads to both slowdowns (transparency) and color banding (shading). In essence, the only good reason to buy one of these, is for the acceptable music capabilities. That is assuming one doesn’t swap the CD drive or even bypass it entirely, which makes this revision a bit more practical.
“SCPH-5501” (1996-1998)
RECOMMENDED OVERALL for xStation
Here, the direct RCA and RFU have been removed from the console (still possible to attain RCA with a multi out to RCA cable). The DAC may or may not have been downgraded. In contrast, the VRAM was upgraded to SGRAM, allowing the console to support 8-bit shading, in addition to swifter transparency calculations and full screen dithering. Lastly, the drive lasers have been upgraded somewhat. As with all PS1s, however, they still can have their issues, just not as badly as the 1001. Some claim these have the best and clearest video output. Note: SCPH-5001 does not appear to have been manufactured at any point.
“SCPH-5903” (1995/96?)
Despite being a NTSC-J model, I have included this for it’s especially interesting featureset, similar to the Yaroze. Exclusive to southeast Asian markets, this version has reintroduced the direct RCA and RFU, while also adding Video CD support (which was originally planned worldwide). These also use the revised board which contains SGRAM over VRAM, and potentially the better laser. The quality of their DAC is unknown. While being an interesting console, their rarity, geographical exclusivity, and potential high price makes them only worth picking up if one happens to find it for cheap, and is willing to region mod it.
“SCPH-7001/7501” (1998-1999)
RECOMMENDED OVERALL for PS1O
These systems contain a more efficient and smaller motherboard with less chips, which impacts the user if they are interested in hardware modding. Since the CD DSP is now merged with another CD chip, installing the xStation drive emulator has been rendered impossible, except for certain early 7000s with a PU-18 motherboard. However, one can still install the PS1O. These systems also have a music visualizer and now support DualShock as standard. Some claim these have the best and clearest video output, in direct opposition to the 5501…
“SCPH-9001” (1999-2000)
These systems have continued the trend of shrinking the motherboard and reducing the chips, with a more immediate detriment to user. Alongside not supporting the xStation, these consoles do not have a parallel port (or simply no cutout for it). Simultaneously, they don’t bring any upgrades to the table, for either the laser or the hardware. It is important to note that some earlier 9001s actually have the parallel port on the motherboard, but it is covered up by the console’s case. Later 9001s do not even have a hidden parallel port, however.
BEST RELIABILITY couldn’t be assigned.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_Yaroze
https://www.retrorgb.com/playstation1.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_models
https://gametrog.com/playstation-1-one-information-specs-versions/
https://reddit.com/r/psx/comments/ie0xqr/question_for_scph5001_owners/
https://www.reddit.com/r/psx/comments/b3wv8n/best_ps1_model_for_psio/
https://segaretro.org/Sega_Saturn/Hardware_comparison#Revised_PlayStation (SGRAM again)
https://www.reddit.com/r/psx/comments/plglwm/after_2_months_and_6_days/hcdzs87/ (pro-xSta.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/psx/comments/lsjxnv/is_there_an_ideal_model_for_ps1digital_and/
https://www.reddit.com/r/psx/comments/mtuj2w/is_there_a_full_updated_list_on_what_games/
https://www.reddit.com/r/psx/comments/ptc8m2/xstation_install_what_psx_modell_is_the_best/
https://www.reddit.com/r/psx/comments/plqdi1/psio_vs_xstation_system_game_boot_time_comparison/