DuckStation Git Version (December 23, 2025)

DuckStation Git (2025/12/23) is an emulator for the Sony PlayStation, emphasizing playability, speed, and compatibility on low-end devices. It features a CPU Recompiler/JIT, multiple rendering options (D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan), upscaling, and advanced texture handling. It supports various file formats, homebrew executables, and features like save state support, automatic updates, memory card management, and integrated debugging. The latest update enhances GPU functions and optimizes audio and user interface elements. DuckStation is designed to ensure that all playable games run smoothly, while “hack” options are discouraged.

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DuckStation Git (2025/12/23) has been compiled. DuckStation is a simulator/emulator for the Sony PlayStation(TM) console, emphasizing playability, speed, and long-term maintenance. The aim is to achieve high accuracy while ensuring performance is suitable for lower-end devices. “Hack” options are not recommended; the default settings should accommodate all playable games, though some enhancements may have compatibility issues.

Features:
CPU Recompiler/JIT (x86-64, armv7/AArch32, and AArch64)
Rendering through hardware (D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan) and software
Upscaling, texture filtering, and true colour (24-bit) in hardware renderers
PGXP for enhanced geometry precision, texture correction, and depth buffer emulation
Adaptive downsampling filter
Post-processing shader chains
“Fast boot” option for bypassing BIOS splash/intro
Support for saving states
Compatible with Windows, Linux, and experimental support for macOS
Supports various formats: bin/cue images, raw bin/img files, MAME CHD, single-track ECM, MDS/MDF, and unencrypted PBP.
Direct launching of homebrew executables
Direct loading of Portable Sound Format (psf) files
Support for digital and analog controllers (rumble is forwarded to host)
Namco GunCon lightgun support (simulated via mouse)
NeGcon support
Qt and “Big Picture” UI integrations
Automatic updates for Windows builds
Automatic content scanning – game titles/hashes sourced from redump.org
Optional automatic memory card switching for each game
Loading cheats from existing lists is supported
Memory card editor and save importer functionality
Emulated CPU overclocking
Integrated and remote debugging tools
Support for multitap controllers (up to 8 devices)
RetroAchievements compatibility
Automatic loading/applying of PPF patches

DuckStation Changelog:
* GPU: Move heavier helper functions to a separate header
* GPUDevice: Extract enums into a dedicated file
* Deps: Upgrade rcheevos to v12.2.0
* VulkanDevice: Replace EXT with KHR in structure type
* CubebAudioStream: Add missing layout mapping
* GameDB: Assign PGXP-CPU for Vagrant Story
* VulkanDevice: Utilize KHR versions for surface/swapchain maintenance
* Deps: Update Vulkan-Headers to v1.4.337
* VulkanDevice: Retain instance across launches
* WindowInfo: Move type to global namespace
* Qt: Transfer window info functions to a separate file
* GPUDevice: Move texture format to global namespace
* VulkanDevice: Rearranged fields for better locality
* Qt: Asynchronously populate graphics adapters
* Qt: Asynchronously populate audio devices
* Qt: Resolve noreturn warning in Host::ReportFatalError()
* SoundEffectManager: Implement caching and async reading
* WAVReader: Add in-memory parsing
* WAVReader: Fix reading into non-data chunks post data
* FullscreenUI: Introduce navigation sound effects
* Data: Incorporate navigation sound effects
* PlatformMisc: Eliminate PlaySoundAsync()
* Achievements: Switch to SoundEffectManager instead of PlaySoundAsync()
* SoundEffectManager: Implement a system for playing short sound effects
* Core: Set correct log channel
* WAVReader: Modify ReadFrames() to return optional
* CubebAudioStream: Use a single shared context
* AudioStream: Consolidate all streams into the same log channel
* AudioStream: Split into source and backend streams
* FullscreenUI: Fix stack use-after-free issues