Beetle PSX HW

PLAYSTATION EMULATOR CORE

Beetle PSX HW

Beetle PSX HW is the Libretro core name for a libretro/RetroArch port of Mednafen's PlayStation (PS1) module. It exposes Mednafen's accuracy-focused emulation and adds hardware-accelerated GPU renderers (OpenGL and Vulkan) when built with HW support, while also offering a software renderer mode.

Jump to download ↓Jump to setup guide ↓

Beetle PSX HW emulator screenshot.

PlayStationPRIMARY SYSTEM

History documentedPROJECT BEGAN

Open sourcePROJECT MODEL

WHY IT MATTERS

Why use Beetle PSX HW?

Provides Mednafen's PS1 emulation engine inside the Libretro API with options for modern GPU-accelerated rendering (wider options for post-processing, hw shaders and texture features) while retaining Mednafen's accuracy-oriented features and configuration options.

BEST FOR

Best use cases

Running PlayStation (PS1) games in RetroArch where you want a balance of accuracy and modern rendering features (Vulkan/OpenGL renderers, texture dumping/replacement). Useful for users who want Mednafen's behavior but prefer to run cores through RetroArch frontends.

The people behind Beetle PSX HW

History and status

Beetle PSX HW is a libretro port/fork of Mednafen's PSX module maintained in the libretro organization. The project exists as a libretro core distribution (mednafen_psx_hw_libretro) and is distributed via RetroArch's core downloader/online updater and through source releases/repositories. The core is actively packaged by distros and RetroArch frontends; it can be built from source with a hardware renderer enabled by passing HAVE_HW=1 to the build (the repository documents building with HAVE_HW=1). The core supports both software and hardware rendering; hardware rendering enables OpenGL and Vulkan backends and exposes additional options. User-supplied PlayStation BIOS images are supported but not strictly required because the core can use OpenBIOS as a fallback if no BIOS is provided. Project development and packaging appear in the libretro organization and associated packaging repositories.

What Beetle PSX HW supports

Windows
Linux
macOS
Android

Download and availability

OFFICIAL DOWNLOADS

Get Beetle PSX HW

Recommended download path: use RetroArch's Online Updater / Core Updater to install the 'Sony – PlayStation (Beetle PSX HW)' core. For source or manual builds, use the libretro/beetle-psx-libretro repository and follow its build instructions (pass HAVE_HW=1 to enable the hardware renderer).

Get Beetle PSX HW ↗

DOCUMENTATION

Official documentation

Read the official configuration, compatibility, and troubleshooting material before changing advanced options.

Read official documentation ↗

Broken or missing download? Emulator projects move and official links sometimes change. Please contact Retro Replay so the source can be verified and updated.

Beetle PSX HW setup guide

Setup note: Concise, practical setup for running Beetle PSX HW in RetroArch (or building manually). Covers obtaining the core, BIOS handling, formats, and key core/runtime settings.

Install the core via RetroArch (recommended): Open RetroArch -> Online Updater (or Core Updater / Core Downloader) -> select 'Sony – PlayStation (Beetle PSX HW)'. RetroArch will download the mednafen_psx_hw_libretro binary appropriate for your platform and place it in RetroArch's cores folder. After download, use Load Core to select it and then Load Content to open a PlayStation image (cue/bin, iso, pbp, chd, etc.).
BIOS files and OpenBIOS fallback: Beetle PSX HW supports user-supplied PlayStation BIOS images (scph-*.bin). Put your legally obtained BIOS images into RetroArch's system/BIOS directory (check Settings -> Directory -> System/BIOS) and confirm Core/Beetle PSX HW bios override options if required. If you do not provide a BIOS, the core can fall back to OpenBIOS, but some games or features may behave differently—place BIOS files if you require authentic BIOS behaviour.
Supported image formats and multi-track discs: The core accepts standard PS1 image formats such as .bin/.cue, .iso, .pbp, and .chd (MAME compressed images). For multi-track discs, load the .cue (or .m3u where appropriate). If you convert images to .chd or .pbp you can reduce disk size and keep a cleaner game folder.
Hardware vs software renderer: Beetle PSX HW can run in software mode (pixel/primitive accuracy similar to Mednafen) or hardware-accelerated mode. To use the HW renderers, ensure RetroArch is configured to use a compatible video driver (GL or Vulkan) and that the core is the mednafen_psx_hw build (hardware-enabled). In hardware mode you can enable GPU renderers and related options (widescreen hacks, texture replacement features available in the core). If you encounter crashes with Vulkan on some platforms/drivers, switch RetroArch's video driver to OpenGL or use the core's software renderer.
Core options you should check: After loading the core, open Quick Menu -> Options to configure core-specific settings: BIOS override behavior, memory card handling (libretro vs Mednafen memcard methods), GPU renderer selection and texture-related options, and other Mednafen PSX options exposed by the core. Save core options to persist them for future sessions.
Save states and memory cards: Beetle PSX HW supports libretro save states and PlayStation memory card files. Configure RetroArch's save directory and check the core options for memory card method (you may choose to use native Mednafen memcard handling or libretro-managed memcards). Keep regular backups of memory card files when switching cores or platforms.
Building from source with HW support: If you need a manual build, clone the libretro/beetle-psx-libretro repository and follow its README. To enable the hardware renderer when building, run the project's make process with HAVE_HW=1 (for example 'make HAVE_HW=1'). The repository documents that make clean is required when switching between HW and non-HW builds. The build produces platform-appropriate libretro core binaries (e.g., .so for Linux, .dylib for macOS, .dll for Windows).
Troubleshooting common issues: If a game has visual glitches or crashes under Vulkan, try switching RetroArch's video driver to OpenGL or use the core's software renderer. If the core doesn't detect your BIOS, confirm the System/BIOS directory path in RetroArch and enable Override BIOS in the core options. For controller/rumble issues, ensure libretro input is configured and check Quick Menu -> Controls and core options related to rumble support.

Software reminder: Beetle PSX HW does not include commercial game ROMs, PlayStation BIOS images, or other copyrighted firmware. You are responsible for supplying BIOS and game images obtained legally. Use OpenBIOS if you do not have a BIOS, understanding that behavior may differ from official BIOS files.

Sources and further reading

Detailed guides and tutorials

Explore step-by-step guides for Beetle PSX HW as they are published.

Use Beetle PSX HW on Android

An Android ARM64 Libretro build exists for Beetle PSX HW. Run the core through RetroArch for Android; the standalone desktop download and Android core may have different menus and features.

Emulates: PlayStation.

Verified Android core build ↗ · Browse all Android emulators →