How to Play PlayStation 1 Games Using Your Android Phone

Author Info

Last Updated: June 30, 2021

The first PlayStation console, known also as the PSX, is a beloved platform that shaped many a ’90s kid’s childhood. If you want to relive the memories of huddling with your friends and siblings while playing the first of the Resident Evil franchise or enjoy the nail-biting action of the first few Tekken games, you can—by using the power of emulators developed to run on Android. Have years of gaming memories in the palm of your hands by combining the flexibility of Android and the powerful emulation software available to you on the Google Play Store. In a few easy steps, you can get a dose of nostalgia, or simply play around with some of the gaming industry’s earliest but greatest titles.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Downloading PSX Games

On your favorite Android device browser, head to a site that hosts digital copies of old games, such as Emuparadise.me, Theisozone.com, or coolrom.com, by typing it on the address bar and tapping Enter on your on-screen keyboard.
The search bar should be at the upper portion of the web page. Tap on it to summon your on-screen keyboard and type the name of the game whose ISO (digital copy format) file you wish to download.
The search may yield multiple results, so you need to identify the right one to download. Scroll down the page, and tap the game title that matches the one for your system. Generally, the system (in this case, Sony PlayStation) should be stated below the game title. After tapping the game title, you should be taken to the file download page on the site.
4
Download the ISO. In the description page, scroll down until you see the “Download Now” button. Some sites will use hosting services for the files, so do not be alarmed when the link takes you to a site called FileHippo, Zippyshare, or something similar. Generally, they will display an ad on the screen, but you will be able to skip the ad after a few seconds by tapping on the “Skip Ad” button somewhere at the top of the screen.
- You should then be taken to the download page, where you can tap the “Download Now” button, which will make a notification appear in the status bar of your device. Once the progress bar reaches 100%, the download will have finished. The default location for the ISO files should be in the Download folder in your device’s internal memory.
- ISO files can vary in size, depending on the game. Games with more intense graphics and 3D models should be larger (like Resident Evil) than sidescrolling platformer games (like Megaman X). These files can range from 1.5-3GB+ to 500MB in size.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Turning Your Android Phone into a PlayStation 1 Console

Running the Game Using Just an Emulator

1
Launch the emulator. The icon for PSX emulators generally have PSX themes, such as the iconic PlayStation buttons or the original PlayStation in top view. Tap the icon for your chosen emulator to launch the application.
- If you don’t have an emulator yet, you can download one from Google Play. There are several to choose from, like ePSXe, FPSe, ClassicBoy, to name a few.
After launching the app, a pop-up may appear that notifies you that it must download the plugins first. Tap the “Okay” button at the lower right corner of the pop-up to download. The download should finish when the progress bar reaches 100/100.
3
Load the game. Emulators vary in format and user interface. Generally, the app will let you select the folder where it will scan for ISO files. Some emulators, like ePSXe, feature a Refresh button at the top right corner that will automatically scan the storage to find the games.
- Once the list is populated, choose the ISO file of the game you downloaded by tapping on it.
Advertisement

Running the Game with an Emulator Combined with Chromecast

Look behind your HDTV to find an HDMI port. Insert the Chromecast into the HDMI port, and note the port number (as most TVs include two HDMI ports).
2
Power the Chromecast. Grab the supplied USB power cord of your Chromecast, and insert the USB mini end into the rear of the Chromecast then insert the wider USB2.0 end into the USB port behind your TV.
- If your TV does not come with a USB port, you can use the supplied Chromecast power adapter to plug the USB power cord into, and then plug the adapter into a wall outlet.
Power the TV on, and look for the “Source” button on the remote control and press it. Use the arrow button on the remote to navigate to the HDMI port in which your Chromecast is plugged. The TV should then display the Chromecast output.
Open that Chromecast app by tapping the Chromecast icon in the app drawer or home screen; it looks like a blue outline of a TV screen with a Wi-Fi icon in the lower left corner.
Swipe inward from the left edge and tap the “Cast Screen” option in the left panel that will appear. This will open the screencast menu, where you will be able to search for the Chromecast.
A pop-up will come out that has the header “Connect to device.” Your Chromecast should appear, granted that it is on the same wireless network as your device, and then tap it. Your device’s screen should appear on the TV.
7
Launch the emulator. The icon for PSX emulators generally have PSX themes, such as the iconic PlayStation buttons or the original PlayStation in top view. Tap the icon for your chosen emulator to launch the application.
- You shouldn’t have to cancel casting the screen on your TV with the Chromecast. The video feed from your device to the TV is live, but it should not interfere with any app launching process.
After launching the app, a pop-up may appear that notifies you that it must download the plugins first. Tap the “Okay” button somewhere at the lower right corner of the pop-up to download. The download should finish when the progress bar reaches 100/100.
9
Load the game. Emulators vary in format and user interface. Generally, the app will let you select the folder where it will scan for ISO files. Some emulators, like ePSXe, feature a Refresh button at the top right corner that will automatically scan the storage to find the games.
- Once the list is populated, choose the ISO file of the game you downloaded by tapping on it. With the Chromecast and the Android device connected, you can enjoy an immersive experience while playing your favorite PSX titles.
Advertisement

Using a PS3 Controller with PSX Emulators

1
Launch the Sixaxis Controller app. Tap on the icon that looks like the right portion of the PS3 controller, complete with the controller buttons of the iconic console.
- If you don’t have this app yet, you can get it from Google Play. It’s a paid app that makes your device compatible with a PS3 controller. Note that a rooted device is needed. To check if your device is compatible, download its free compatibility checker.
The app will then notify you that you have to enable it as an input app by tapping the “Enable” button in the pop-up that will appear. You will be taken to the Language & Input settings menu of your device, where you can tap the toggle button opposite Sixaxis Controller in the list. Tap “OK” in the notification pop-up that will appear, and then press the Back button to get back to the Sixaxis app.
3
Launch the SixaxisPairTool on a computer. Head to Dancing Pixel Studios (developer of Sixaxis), and click the download link in the page that corresponds to the operating system of the computer you are using. Install the software after you finish downloading the installer, and launch the SixaxisPairTool by clicking on its icon in the desktop.
- The pair tool is free to download and install.
The values after “Current Master:” in the application window will display a series of characters that look like this: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx, where the “x’s” can be any letter or number. This represents the bluetooth address of the device paired with the controller.
Once you know the address of the controller’s master, you can use the SixaxisPairTool to change the master of the controller. Look at the bottom left corner of the screen in the Sixaxis Controller app on your device. Type the values listed after “Local Bluetooth Address:” into the text field in the middle of the SixaxisPairTool on your PC, and then click “Update” in SixaxisPairTool. This will change the address in “Current Master” in the SixaxisPairTool window. That means that the controller is now paired to your Android device.
The controller’s lights should stop blinking, and a single light should remain on. Tap the “Change IME” button on the Android app, and select “Sixaxis Controller.” You should now be able to use the controller as an input method in playing your PSX emulator.
7
Launch the emulator. The icon for PSX emulators generally have PSX themes, such as the iconic PlayStation buttons or the original PlayStation in top view. Tap the icon for your chosen emulator to launch the application.
- If you don’t have an emulator yet, you can download one from Google Play. There are several to choose from, like ePSXe, FPSe, ClassicBoy, Smart TV Box Gaming Console Emulator, to name a few.
After launching the app, a pop-up may appear that notifies you that it must download the plugins first. Tap the “Okay” button at the lower right corner of the pop-up to download. The download should finish when the progress bar reaches 100/100.
9
Load the game. Emulators vary in format and user interface. Generally, the app will let you select the folder where it will scan for ISO files. Some emulators, like ePSXe, features a Refresh button at the top right corner that will automatically scan the storage to find the games.
- Once the list is populated, choose the ISO file of the game you downloaded by tapping on it. The emulator should automatically map the buttons in the controller to match the game, so you will be able to play the game using the controller right out.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

PSX emulators on Android should be able to run on devices no earlier than version 2.1. To check your Android device’s version, head to the Settings app on the device. Then, scroll down until you see About Device and tap it. You should see a list of info about your device, and under Android Version you should see the version number of your device.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Chromecast has the feature to cast your device’s screen onto a compatible HDTV. This will allow you to play your favorite PSX titles on the big screen like the original console. Though you can play using your phone or tablet screen, using a TV will add some immersion and entertainment value, especially when others are viewing.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0