SharpEmu, an experimental open-source PS5 emulator for Windows, Linux and macOS, now rates six games as playable at 60 frames per second. The project has tested 55 games; 12 reach actual gameplay. The figures follow version 0.0.4-release.2, published on 25 September 2026.
The Six Games Now Rated Playable
All six are small or older titles rather than showcase PlayStation 5 releases.
- Dreaming Sarah: a short 2D side-scrolling adventure.
- Tetris Forever: a collection built around the puzzle original.
- Terrarium: a low-complexity indie title.
- New Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja: a remake of a 1991 arcade platformer.
- Hoa: a hand-painted 2D platformer.
- Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered: remasters of games first released between 1999 and 2000.
Notebookcheck reported that the demanding 3D releases people associate with the console, naming Demon’s Souls, Astro Bot and Grand Theft Auto V, remain stuck at much earlier stages of compatibility. None of the six sits near the technical ceiling of the hardware being emulated.
What the Playable Rating Does Not Mean
The label describes a test session, not a finished game. By the project’s own classification, a playable title runs without major problems but may still show minor graphical or audio faults, and none of the six has been played from start to finish. Some titles reported as reaching gameplay crash at later stages.
The funnel is worth reading in full, because the headline figure is the narrowest part of it. Of 55 games tested, 12 get as far as real gameplay, and six of those twelve hold 60 frames per second. That leaves 43 tested games that do not reach gameplay at all.
What the 25 September Build Changed
This build is a maintenance step rather than a feature release. The release page describes it as an automated build for commit f98ff99, published on 25 September 2026 at 22:20 UTC, carrying nine changes since version 0.0.4.
The changes are concentrated in graphics translation: a Vulkan version update, extra instructions added to the SPIR-V shader translator, support for the VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer extension, an option to disable Vulkan implicit layers, and a fix to CPU host RBX register restoration, alongside optimisations and bug fixes. SPIR-V is the intermediate shader format Vulkan consumes, so translating more of the console’s shader instructions into it is what moves a game from a blank screen towards a rendered frame.
What You Need Before Anything Runs
None of the coverage of the 60 FPS figure lists the entry requirements, and they are the first thing that decides whether you see a frame at all. The project’s README sets them out.
- A Vulkan-capable GPU and a current graphics driver: both are stated as required, not recommended.
- A supported build: Windows x64, Linux x64 or macOS x64. Apple Silicon Macs run the macOS x64 build through Rosetta 2, Apple’s translation layer for Intel software.
- The .NET SDK version pinned in the project’s global.json if you are building it yourself; SharpEmu is written in C#.
- Your own game files: the emulator loads the eboot.bin of real games. The project ships none of them.
On that last point the project is explicit. Its README states that “this project does not support or condone piracy” and says it contains no copyrighted system firmware, game data or proprietary PlayStation assets. The code is released under the GPL-2.0 licence. Readers who have followed earlier emulator stories on this site, from PS2 and PS3 emulators to the Delta emulator reaching iOS, will recognise the same division between the software, which is legal to write and distribute, and the content, which is not.
Where These Counts Come From, as of 28 September 2026
As of 28 September 2026, the six-game figure reflects SharpEmu’s published compatibility tracker, which is assembled from community test reports rather than a formal certification process. That has two consequences: the totals move as new reports arrive, and a rating reflects one tester’s session on one machine.
It also explains a discrepancy across coverage. Most outlets, including Tom’s Hardware, Notebookcheck and DSOGaming, reported six playable titles from 55 tested; at least one put the number at seven. Anyone quoting a figure should date it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Play PS5 Games on PC With SharpEmu Now?
Only six small titles are rated playable at 60 frames per second, and none has been verified from start to finish. Major 3D PlayStation 5 releases are not close to running.
Which Operating Systems Does the PS5 Emulator Support?
Windows x64, Linux x64 and macOS x64. Apple Silicon Macs use the macOS x64 build through Rosetta 2, and the macOS release bundles MoltenVK for Vulkan support.
Does SharpEmu Include PS5 Games or Firmware?
No. The project states it contains no copyrighted system firmware, game data or proprietary PlayStation assets, and that it does not support or condone piracy. You supply your own legally obtained game files.
What Hardware Does SharpEmu Require?
A Vulkan-capable graphics card with a current driver is required. The project does not publish a minimum CPU or memory specification.
What Did the New Build Change?
Nine changes since version 0.0.4, mostly graphics work: a Vulkan version update, more SPIR-V shader translator instructions, VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer support, an option to disable Vulkan implicit layers, and a CPU register restoration fix.
