Rydgård, the developer of PPSSPP, has finally released a PlayStation Portable (PSP) emulator for iPhone on the App Store. The app has been in development for over a decade and can be downloaded for free on iPhone and iPad. For those looking to support the project, a paid version is also available for 4.99 euros.
The approved version of PPSSPP has some limitations compared to previous builds of the app. Notably, Apple does not allow the use of Just-in-Time (JIT) recompilers, which dynamically translate code for the operating system to enhance performance. This restriction means that a GameCube or Wii emulator is unlikely to be seen on iOS. However, Rydgård noted that iOS devices are generally fast enough to run almost any PSP game.
Despite some limitations, PPSSPP is compatible with many famous games available for the platform such as Valkyria Chronicles II, Patapon, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. The developer also assured users that support for Magic Keyboard will return in the future and Vulkan graphics API will be re-implemented with native Metal backend.
In conclusion, PPSSPP is an excellent choice for gamers who want to play classic PSP games on their iPhone or iPad devices. While there are some limitations due to Apple’s restrictions on JIT recompilers and undocumented APIs, overall it offers a solid experience that fans of these immortal classics will appreciate.
