DuckStation

What DuckStation does

DuckStation is an Android emulator for games made for the original Sony PlayStation. It opens PlayStation game files on a phone or tablet and provides on-screen controls, with support for external controllers where available. It is aimed at players who want to run their existing PS1 library on modern Android hardware rather than use the original console.

Graphics and controls

The app can render games at a higher internal resolution than the original hardware, making low-resolution artwork look sharper on newer screens. It also includes graphics options such as Vulkan and OpenGL rendering, filtering, and PGXP geometry correction to reduce the polygon wobble seen in some early 3D games. Touch controls can be adjusted to suit different screen sizes and playing positions.

Saving and extra tools

DuckStation supports save states as well as the memory-card saving used by PlayStation games. That gives you a way to return to a particular point without relying only on in-game save locations. The app also includes memory-card management and support for RetroAchievements, where compatible games can connect progress to achievement tracking.

Who it suits

This is mainly for people comfortable configuring an emulator and managing their own game files. Some settings are technical, especially the graphics backend and enhancement options, but they allow the app to be adjusted for different Android devices. DuckStation is listed in the Arcade category and has more than 1,000,000 installs. Its average rating is 4.13 from 16,815 reviews, and it is developed by Stenzek.