Can you enjoy the games of the PlayStation on a computer screen? The answer is yes. To achieve this, we have two possibilities: on the one hand, the use of emulators and on the other through streaming services. In this post we analyze this question: How to Play PlayStation Games on a Windows PC.
What is the difference between one method and another? In principle, the emulators They are the best option when it comes to games from older consoles (e.g. PS1, PS2 and PS3), although it is a must to have the original discs or their backup copies.
Instead, the streaming option through PlayStation Now is the most suitable, since it includes the most modern consoles and is an official service. In addition, it is much simpler than setting up emulators.
PlayStation Now
We first review the streaming service option. PlayStation Now (PS Now) is an official Sony service through which you can stream and play PlayStation games on a Windows PC. It is the great alternative for those users who are not convinced by the idea of using emulators or who cannot use them because they do not exist for the generation of console they use (as in the case of the PS4 and PS5).
It should be said that since June 2022, PS Now services are included within PlayStation Plus, the subscription service that gives us the possibility to play selected content and other benefits.
Here are the steps to follow to use PlayStation Now and enjoy PlayStation games on a Windows PC:
- First of all, you need to download the PS Now app for Windows.
- Next you have to Create a PlayStation Network Account, if we don't have one already. New accounts can be created on the official PlayStation website.
- Then you have to subscribe to PS Now, which will give us access to a varied library of PS2, PS3, and PS4 games.
- The last step consists of Connect the controller to the PC to play, for example a PS4/PS5 controller via a USB cable or via Bluetooth.
For this last action, you can consult our tutorials on how to connect a PlayStation controller to a PC: PS3, PS4 y PS5.
Through an emulator
Another very popular mode among PlayStation users when they want to play on a PC screen is the use of emulatorsTo clarify concepts, we recall here what an emulator is. In general terms, it is a software that allows a PC to emulate the hardware of a console.
When we look for emulators for the PlayStation console, we find many options, although not all are equal in terms of quality. compatibility with different generations of PlayStation. We have selected the most suitable emulators for each case.
But before continuing, here is a brief disclaimer: Emulating a game is only legal if you have the legal rights to use the content. Anything else is considered piracy, a crime prosecuted by law that we do not in any way encourage on this blog.
PS1 – ePSXe
To emulate games from the first generation of PlayStation (PS1) consoles by downloading ISO images of your original discs or using physical discs, the most popular emulator is undoubtedly ePSXe. Here's how we can use it:
- The first thing to do is download the latest version of the emulator from the ePSXe official site.
- Then you have to Get PlayStation BIOS.
- Finally, it must configure ePSXe selecting the BIOS file and assigning the controls.
(*) Important: BIOS distribution is legal only if we have the original console.
PS2 – PCSX2
When it comes to emulating PS2 games, the most reliable option is PCSX2. Here's how we can install it on our PC:
- To begin with, We download the emulator from the PCSX2 Official Site, selecting the version that corresponds to our PC.
- Then you have to get ps2 bios (we insist: that is only legal if we have the console).
- Finally, we configure PCSX2, selecting the BIOS, configuring graphics and controls, and finally,
loading games.
PS3 -RPCS3
RPCS3 is the best emulator for PS3 (the one in the image above). We can use it by following these steps:
- We download the latest version of the emulator in the RPCS3 Official Site.
- Next, we get the PS3 Firmware from the official PlayStation website.
- Then we configure RPCS3 (controls, graphics options, etc.) and load the games in ISO or PKG format.
Finally, it should be noted that at the moment There are no valid emulators for PS4 and PS5This is due to the complexity of their hardware and the effectiveness of the DRM protection systems that these consoles incorporate. For these cases, the only option left is streaming (PS Now), which we have explained above.