How to Download & Install PS1 Bios for Emulation in 2024

Sony’s first console, the PlayStation (commonly known as PS1), was inarguably a major stepping stone into gaming for an entire generation. Not just the hardware, but titles like Final Fantasy, Crash Bandicoot, and Gran Turismo became instant classics and are still etched in the memories of many.

In fact, it can be easy to remember the olden times, but not so easy to find an actual, working PS1. After all, it’s been three decades since its release. For this reason, and because no one uses a CRT TV anymore, a lot of people have turned to emulation on PCs and even mobiles (we have a separate guide on playing PS1 titles on mobiles if you’re interested).

However, these emulators do require something to mimic the actual hardware — a BIOS file. This guide will explain the purpose and importance of the BIOS file and how to find the right version for whatever purpose you need.

How Does a BIOS Work?

In the most basic sense, the BIOS, which stands for “Basic Input/Output System,” is the first layer of software that interacts with your device when it is powered on. It contains basic instructions to check if all necessary components of the device are in a working state and able to function.

After this, the BIOS initializes these components, performs a POST (Power-On Self-Test) to ensure everything is functioning correctly, and loads a particular piece of code, usually the bootloader for the operating system, into memory. This initiates the boot-up process.

READ MORE: What is Power-On Self-Test in Computers? POST Explained ➜

The PlayStation (PS1) BIOS

While “BIOS” is technically a term that originates from PC architecture, the PS1 has a “firmware” that performs in, more or less, the same way. For one, it contains the very basic instructions to initialise the system hardware, making sure that all components are ready to use, when the system is turned on.

When you insert a CD into the console, the firmware, or BIOS, doesn’t directly load the game itself. Instead, it first verifies if the disc is a valid PS1 title by reading the boot information and region codes on the game disc.

Once the disc is verified, the BIOS locates the game’s boot sector, which contains the instructions to load the main game executable. The BIOS provides hardware-level support to the boot process, such as memory allocation and initializing hardware components. After these initial steps are completed, the BIOS hands over control to the game code, which is then executed by the console.

⤷ Why Do You Need It?

At this point in time, the main reason for getting hold of a PS1 BIOS file is to emulate the iconic games of the console. Emulators typically require a BIOS file to replicate the functionality of the original hardware on a different device.

You might also have an old PlayStation and wish to revive it by flashing it with a new and supported BIOS file. Some people may also be interested in studying how the BIOS works, although this is pretty much very uncommon.

For the vast majority of PS1 emulators, you will certainly need a compatible BIOS file since they rely on low-level emulation, which replicates the hardware functions closely. Some more modern emulators also use high-level emulation, which emulates the console’s functionality without replicating its inner workings.

READ MORE: How to Fix a PC that Keeps Booting into BIOS Menu? ➜

How to Download and Install the PS1 BIOS?

Before you proceed, it’s important to note that acquiring the BIOS for PS1 can be a legal grey area and is clearly illegal in certain regions under specific circumstances. The BIOS files are Sony’s copyrighted material.

Step 1: Finding the Right PS1 BIOS Version

For the PS1, it’s important that you use the right version of BIOS to emulate its functionality. This is because Sony’s first two consoles, the PS1 and PS2, were region-locked for games, meaning you won’t be able to play a Japanese game on a European BIOS.

⤷ BIOS Revisions

The first PlayStation didn’t see a simultaneous global release. It launched in Japan in December 1994, and later in North America and Europe in September 1995. Over its production run from 1994 to 2000, Sony made a number of hardware revisions to the console.

These revisions, coupled with efforts to combat piracy, led to the release of multiple BIOS versions, with nearly over 30 different versions documented. These can be found on resources like the PlayStation Wiki.

⤷ Regional Compatibility

To find the appropriate BIOS version, look for the game you wish to play and where it was released. The BIOS revisions are divided into the television video standards for each corresponding country. For a more detailed insight, Sony has a list of countries with what video format is used in a particular country.

For the PS1 BIOS, regions were divided into NTSC and PAL formats. NTSC was used in countries like the United States, Japan, and parts of South America. PAL was used in Europe, Australia, China, and most of Asia, Africa, and parts of South America.

Step 2: Downloading the BIOS Files

Once you’ve narrowed down the exact BIOS version that suits your needs, the next step is to find reputable resources that are not only safe to download from but also provide the specific BIOS files with the appropriate video standard.

For this guide, we won’t go into detail about the full procedure of downloading the files for legal reasons. However, if you need an extensive library of the PS1 BIOS, you can check out the ROMS Megathread on Reddit. For matching up the BIOS version, the file hashes list from GameTechWiki should suffice.

Step 3: Using the BIOS With an Emulator

A number of PlayStation emulators, such as ePSXe, RetroArch, Bizhawk and DuckStation, make use of the PS1 BIOS for low-level emulation. This approach is actually preferred by a lot of users since it replicates the exact functionality of the original hardware.

In the past, people had to obtain the BIOS file from the console itself, which was a process that wasn’t suited for beginners and was a tad bit complex. But as emulation continued to grow, a lot more BIOSes were dumped onto the internet. Now, some emulators like DuckStation often come with a compatible BIOS file without the need to manually feed it a file. However, there’s also an option to import your own file if you wish to do so.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Emulating Pokémon Games on PC ➜

The Future of PS1 Emulation

While emulation is generally considered a legal grey area, it is important to note that it plays a huge role in the preservation of older consoles. PlayStation is currently the most popular gaming console and it’s vital for upcoming generations to understand where it all started, and how the landscape of gaming, not just in terms of hardware, but the software too, grew.

The legal issues with emulation stem from the use of copyrighted software, such as BIOS files and game ROMs. Developers often use legal alternatives like high-level emulation (HLE), which replicates the functionality and graphical interface of the console using modern hardware and graphic libraries without using the original BIOS.

Some people, however, don’t prefer this approach since it can sometimes look ‘better’ than the original console, potentially interfering with the “raw PS1 gaming experience.“

It is important to know that emulation, in general, is statistically shown to grow with time, not just for the PS1. This is mainly due to improved hardware, especially on handheld devices like your phone or even handheld consoles like the Steam Deck.

The drawback of this, however, is that it can sometimes be incredibly unoptimized, sometimes bursting your fans to their limit, drawing the maximum amount of power, all for a game that was developed more than two and a half decades ago.

READ MORE: The Best PlayStation 3 Emulators for PC – Working in 2024 ➜

Conclusion

The PS1’s BIOS went through multiple revisions during its six-year production run. These revisions were often tied to a specific region, as the console was region-locked. However, in today’s time, it is easy to find a compatible BIOS due to the influx of resources available on the Internet. Some modern emulators don’t even use the actual BIOS, simply to circumvent the legal consequences.