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QuackStation
What it is
QuackStation is a free PlayStation 1 emulator with a Qt front end and a fullscreen TV interface. It supports hardware rendering through D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan, and Metal, as well as software rendering. Hardware graphics options include upscaling, texture filtering, 24-bit true colour, and PGXP geometry precision and texture correction. Playback features include save states, runahead, rewind, fast boot, CPU overclocking, and time-stretched audio. Games can be loaded from CDs and images including BIN/CUE, raw BIN/IMG, MAME CHD, ECM, MDS/MDF, and unencrypted PBP. Controller support includes digital and analog devices, GunCon and Justifier lightguns simulated with a mouse, NeGcon, and multitap for up to eight devices. A PS1 or PS2 BIOS image is required, but is not included; users need to dump it from their own console. Windows, Linux, and macOS builds are listed, along with an Android app that is currently unmaintained and unsupported. The project is licensed under GNU GPLv3 or later.
For and against
For
- Supports D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan, Metal, and software rendering.
- Playback includes save states, rewind, and runahead.
- Loads CDs and several listed disc-image formats.
- Multitap support allows up to eight devices.
- Licensed under GNU GPLv3 or later.
Against
- A PS1 or PS2 BIOS image is required and not included.
- The Android app is unmaintained and unsupported.
- Windows 10 version 1809 or newer is required.
- macOS 11.0 or newer is required.
The verdict
QuackStation offers broad rendering, disc-format, and controller support for PS1 emulation. Consider the BIOS requirement and platform-specific support limits before choosing a build.
Who it suits
It suits players looking for a free PS1 emulator with multiple rendering options and playback features. Users need a PS1 or PS2 BIOS image from their own console; Android users should note that the app is unsupported and unmaintained.
On the record
- Android support
- The Android app is described as currently unmaintained and unsupported.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- BIOS requirement
- A PS1 or PS2 BIOS ROM image is required, and the emulator does not include one; the maker says users should dump it from their own console.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Disc formats
- It supports CD playback and disc images including bin/cue, raw bin/img, MAME CHD, ECM, MDS/MDF, and unencrypted PBP.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Downloads
- The maker provides builds for Windows x64/ARM64, Linux x86_64 in AppImage and Flatpak formats, and universal macOS binaries through GitHub Releases.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Emulation features
- Features include save states, runahead, rewind, fast boot, and emulated CPU overclocking.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Graphics features
- Hardware renderers support upscaling, texture filtering, and 24-bit true colour; PGXP provides geometry precision, texture correction, and depth buffer emulation.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Input
- It supports digital and analog controllers, GunCon and Justifier lightguns simulated with a mouse, NeGcon, and multitap controllers for up to eight devices.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- It supports RetroAchievements and Discord Rich Presence.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- License
- The project states it is licensed under GNU GPLv3 or later, while noting that it is effectively GPLv3 only for now.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- License and security
- QuackStation is licensed under GNU GPLv3 or later; the README provides no security certification or compliance claim.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Linux limit
- The README says the AppImage requires a distribution equivalent to Ubuntu 22.04 or newer and notes that the Flathub install command was not working as of 30 October 2025.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Linux support
- The maker says the AppImage and Flatpak builds on the releases page are the only supported Linux versions; the AppImage requires a distribution equivalent to Ubuntu 22.04 or newer.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Media support
- It can load games from CD and several image formats, including bin/cue, MAME CHD, ECM, MDS/MDF, and unencrypted PBP.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Platform limits
- Windows 10 version 1809 or newer is required, macOS 11.0 or newer is required, and the Android app is currently unmaintained and unsupported.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- QuackStation is a PlayStation 1 emulator with a Qt front end and a fullscreen/TV interface based on Dear ImGui.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Project origin
- The project is a hard fork of the final GPLv3 version of DuckStation.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- QuackStation is a PlayStation 1 emulator with a Qt front end and a fullscreen/TV interface based on Dear ImGui.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Rendering
- It supports hardware rendering with D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan, and Metal, as well as software rendering.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026