DuckStation vs ePSXe

[Jay6699]

I use Retroarch with the pcsxreARMed core because of the CRT Shaders, but duckstation is very good

 

[solnK!]

Duckstation without any doubts.
ePSXe is great but it comes naked when you download it, and you also need to watch a lot of tutorials in order to get it to work properly.

 

[Segadude113]

I think everyone knows these two PlayStation emulators by now, but which one deserves the top spot on the PlayStation emulator throne? You decide.

i've always used Duckstation. I like the layout of the games. It doesn't have separate titles for patched rom hacks though. It just lists the same game multiple times and I have to guess which one I click on is the original game or the rom hack.

 

[Jeff]

Duckstation is the way to go. Doesn't crash, boots the games very well, graphics are more crisp, but the only thing lacking is that it doesn't quack.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

The only real advantage I could find with DuckStation was the fact that it could run .CHD files, whereas ePSXe could not.

Other than that, I'm an ePSXe believer through-and-through.

 

[Ppapeno7135]

Nowadays Duckstation, 100%.
ePSXe was great at its time, but with all the fiddling with specific plugins that required specific settings for each specific game, it was too much work if youi had a handful of 2D and 3D games that ran on different engines.

It was so much work that I downloaded a pirated version of Bleem! just because it was "plug and play", even tho it had its own quirks.
Also, Bleem! played a lot better on my really old PC, a Pentium 200 MMX that struggled to run ePSXe full speed.

 

[PhrawzT]

I like Duckstation, but it does not play well with my PS Classic controller. The face buttons will stop working occasionally. RetroArch works just fine with the same controller.

The graphics options in Duckstation can't be beat.

 

[thecrow2313]

The only real advantage I could find with DuckStation was the fact that it could run .CHD files, whereas ePSXe could not.

Other than that, I'm an ePSXe believer through-and-through.

Besides PGXP geometry enhancements, I love the new texture improvement & filters.

 

[NovumVeritas]

Besides PGXP geometry enhancements, I love the new texture improvement & filters.

Also Optimal Framepacing.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Duckstation replaced it imo.

 

[NardoBoom]

Duckstation and it's not even close. EPSXE was worth using like 15 years ago but these days there are better emulators.

 

[qw90700]

ePSXe is great but it comes naked when you download it, and you also need to watch a lot of tutorials in order to get it to work properly.

That's why we call it "Naked ePSXe" and my poor emulator has been stuck in the same OSP mission for decades!!! What a thrill yo lolol.

 

[MajesticSiN]

Duckstation by far. I used to use epsxe and it was pretty good back in the day but duckstation has out classed it and is the one I recommend the most.

 

[RETRO-VETRO]

DuckStation is considered better than ePSXe because it offers a smoother, more modern emulation experience. It’s actively maintained, which means it gets regular updates that improve performance and fix bugs. Unlike ePSXe, which relies on outdated plugins and can be tricky to set up, DuckStation has a clean, built-in interface that’s easy to use. It also supports enhanced graphics features like upscaling, widescreen hacks, and texture filtering, making old PlayStation games look sharper and more polished. DuckStation is more accurate in emulating the original hardware, so games run with fewer glitches and better compatibility. It works well across different platforms, including Windows, Linux, Android, and macOS, and includes useful features like save states, fast-forwarding, and cheat support. While ePSXe still functions, DuckStation is simply more reliable, user-friendly, and visually impressive for anyone looking to enjoy PS1 games today, so long story short I like Duckstation better.

 

[KittenLikeYou007]

ePSXe 1.6 was my very first emulator back in the day, but let’s be honest, DuckStation is now by far the best option on modern systems.

Duckstation 10/10.

 

[Rei de Nada]

Duckstation​

• Modern, clean interface
• High compatibility with 3D games
• Real-time settings adjustments during gameplay
• Actively maintained with frequent updates
• Enhanced graphics and widescreen hacks
• CHD ( easily the best format to use at this day and age )

Cons:

• Slightly higher system requirements

EPSXE​

Pros:

• Runs well on low-end devices
• Plugin system allows deep customization

Cons:

• Outdated interface and plugin management can be confusing
• Poor emulation of 2D graphics and disk swapping bugs
• Rarely updated and lacks modern features

 

[Nelson2001 Nelson2001]

Duckstation​

• Modern, clean interface
• High compatibility with 3D games
• Real-time settings adjustments during gameplay
• Actively maintained with frequent updates
• Enhanced graphics and widescreen hacks
• CHD ( easily the best format to use at this day and age )

Cons:

• Slightly higher system requirements

EPSXE​

Pros:

• Runs well on low-end devices
• Plugin system allows deep customization

Cons:

• Outdated interface and plugin management can be confusing
• Poor emulation of 2D graphics and disk swapping bugs
• Rarely updated and lacks modern features

Thank you for the Pros and Cons of both recognized PS1 emulators.