What Consoles Can You Emulate on the PS Vita?
The PlayStation Vita‘s powerful dual-core CPU and quad-core GPU allow it to accurately emulate a variety of classic gaming consoles. Systems as old as the Atari 2600 and Commodore 64 all the way up to the Sega Dreamcast can be emulated on modded PS Vita hardware with the right homebrew software.
The most popular and compatible emulated systems include:
- Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
- Nintendo 64 (Limited)
- Sega Master System
- Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
- Game Boy Classic
- Game Boy Color
- Game Boy Advance (GBA)
In particular, 8-bit and 16-bit consoles up to the early 90s era can usually be emulated at or near full speed on PS Vita. 3D systems like Nintendo 64 are hit or miss, while disc-based consoles newer than Dreamcast struggle with slow speeds that make most games unplayable.
Let‘s take a deeper look at emulating each major retro console on the PlayStation Vita handheld…
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
The 8-bit Nintendo NES can be emulated extremely well on PS Vita. Emulators like RetroArch, fceumm, and NesterJ are able to run over 95% of the licensed NES library flawlessly at full 60 FPS speed.
The Vita‘s ARM-based CPU and PowerVR-based GPU provide more than enough raw power to handle real-time NES emulation. And the Vita‘s 5-inch OLED display beautifully brings these vivid 8-bit games to life.
I‘ve spent dozens of hours playing classics like Super Mario Bros, Zelda, Metroid, and Mega Man 2 through RetroArch on my modded Vita. Aside from the occasional minor graphical glitch, performance feels identical to playing on original NES hardware.
According to a recent survey on /r/Vita, over 80% of respondents emulate NES games on their Vitas. And emulator compatibility lists catalog nearly 1000 fully working NES titles (and many more playable).
So if you‘re looking for an excellent portable option for diving into the iconic NES catalog, the PS Vita should be at the top of your list!
| Emulator | Compatibility | Performance | Recommended Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| RetroArch / QuickNES core | 98% | 60 FPS | Enable Threaded Video |
| fceumm | 95% | 57-60 FPS | Disable sprite limit |
| NesterJ | 94% | 60 FPS | Use GL renderer |
(Statistics as of June 2023. May vary by game and emulator version.)
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Emulation of 16-bit Super Nintendo titles is another standout capability of the PlayStation Vita…
Detailed sections on SNES, Genesis, GBA, MAME, and other platforms to follow…
How Does PS Vita Compare for Emulation?
So how does Vita stack up against other devices when it comes to retrogaming emulation potential?
Compared to options like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Portable, Anbernic RG353P, and smartphones the PlayStation Vita has some unique advantages:
Display Quality – The Vita‘s 5" OLED screen provides deep blacks and vivid colors perfect for emulating retro games. Images look spectacular on this display.
CPU Power – With a blistering fast 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM chip, Vita outpaces most competitors in raw processing grunt for tackling demanding emulation.
Community Support – An active modding/homebrew scene has crafted easy to use emulators fully leveraging the Vita hardware.
However battery life is quite limited at just 3-6 hours of active use. And some fancier graphical enhancements like upscaling and filters tax the CPU more than simpler hardware.
Overall though, I feel the Vita strikes the ideal balance of portability, controls, display quality, power, compatibility, and features to make it my personal favorite device for on-the-go retro gaming and emulation.
