DuckStation

Pros

• Turns your PC into a PS1
• Comes loaded with fun and classic games
• Applies patches as needed to certain games
• Recreates the experience of using PS1 controllers
• Built-in memory card

Cons

• Hard to use
• Can run slowly
• Doesn't run on all Windows devices

DuckStation turns your PC into a game console that lets you play some of your favorite Sony games. It is an emulator built around the PlayStation. You don't need to keep bidding on eBay or scouring game shops for a PS1 because this emulator allows you to use your computer in the same way you would that old console. As a bonus, it's free to use.

While you'll find other emulators, the developers of DuckStation created one that is easier to use. It pulls fewer resources from your PC, which can keep it from running and prevent the system from overheating. As soon as you start running it, you'll find yourself pulled back in time to a point where games were a little more basic. It even shows your games in the same 24 bits and colors that the original console used.

A major problem with DuckStation is that it's hard to figure out how to use it the first time. You need to save the file on your PC and then use a Zip tool to unlock all of the files inside. The emulator also asks you to find a BIOS image for the PlayStation as it does not come with one due to copyright laws. You also need to save this image to the right spot and then open the files in the right order. Some users also had a hard time finding the right game because the emulator has so many folders and files. It's helpful to read through all of the instructions and check out tips from other players before you try to use DuckStation.

DuckStation has many features that make it a better alternative to the old PS1 console. You can play with a single controller or up to eight controllers when you play against friends. It allows you to set up vibrations that will shake your controller and/or keyboard as you play to recreate the feel of the original controllers. With the built-in memory card editor, it's easy to save games and rename them when needed as well as find them later. DuckStation also shows you a shot when you pause the game that recreates the screen from the console. You have the chance to save your games at different points, too.

While you cannot use DuckStation on devices running Windows 7 or Windows 8, it works great on newer versions. It features a database that searches for patches when you try to play damaged games and automatically applies them to the games. You can also rewind and go back in certain games as long as you have a fast OS. The best way to recreate the PS1 gaming experience is with DuckStation.

Pros

• Turns your PC into a PS1
• Comes loaded with fun and classic games
• Applies patches as needed to certain games
• Recreates the experience of using PS1 controllers
• Built-in memory card

Cons

• Hard to use
• Can run slowly
• Doesn't run on all Windows devices