emulator: Vita3K
type: standalone
source: "https://github.com/Vita3K/Vita3K"
upstream: "https://github.com/Vita3K/Vita3K"
profiled_date: "2026-03-29"
source_commit: "df2880875f397ff8c6e76513ed5d7d0a947af9a0"
core_version: "0.2.1"
display_name: "Vita3K (PS Vita)"
cores:
  - vita3k
systems: [sony-playstation-vita]

# Standalone emulator, no libretro core exists.
# Firmware PUP files are one-time installations: install_pup() decrypts and
# extracts partition images (os0, vs0, sa0, pd0) into the emulator data directory.
# The PUP file itself is deleted after extraction.
# Three separate PUP packages exist on Sony servers:
#   1. PSVUPDAT.PUP (main firmware) from psv.update.playstation.net
#   2. PSP2UPDAT.PUP (font package) from psp2.update.playstation.net (sd_ prefix)
#   3. PSP2UPDAT.PUP (preinst firmware) from psp2.update.playstation.net (pre_ prefix)
# Vita3K uses hybrid LLE/HLE: some modules always loaded from firmware (libc,
# libSceFt2, libpvf, libcdlg), others toggleable per-module via settings.

files:
  - name: PSVUPDAT.PUP
    path: "psvita/PSVUPDAT.PUP"
    required: true
    hle_fallback: true
    note: >
      Main PS Vita firmware. Decrypted via SCE keys, extracts os0 (kernel),
      vs0 (system modules and apps), sa0 (fonts), pd0 (system data).
      Games load LLE modules from vs0/sys/external/*.suprx. Preload modules
      (libc, libSceFt2, libpvf) are always LLE. Without firmware most games fail.
      Some simple titles may run on HLE alone.
    source_ref: "vita3k/packages/src/pup.cpp:260-314, vita3k/app/src/app.cpp:176, vita3k/module/src/load_module.cpp:142-161, 187"

  - name: PSP2UPDAT.PUP
    path: "psvita/PSP2UPDAT.PUP"
    required: false
    hle_fallback: true
    note: >
      Supplementary firmware font package. Populates the sa0 partition with
      system fonts (PVF format), which the renderer registers as the firmware
      font directory when the partition holds content.
    source_ref: "vita3k/packages/src/pup.cpp:296-297, vita3k/app/src/app.cpp:177, vita3k/renderer/src/renderer.cpp:121-127"

notes: |
  Standalone PS Vita emulator. No libretro core.
  Firmware installed via File > Install Firmware or CLI --firmware flag.
  PUP files validated by SCEUF magic header only (vita3k/packages/src/pup.cpp:119), no hash check.
  After install, four partitions are extracted:
    os0 (FAT, kernel modules), vs0 (FAT, system modules/apps),
    sa0 (FAT, fonts), pd0 (exFAT, system data/BGM).
  Module loading: app0:sce_module/{name}.suprx (game-bundled) then
  vs0:sys/external/{name}.suprx (firmware). Auto-LLE modules include
  libhttp, libssl, libult, libsas, libpgf, libfios2, libsystemgesture,
  libSceXml, libSceSqlite, librudp, libatrac, libface, libsmart,
  libsceavplayer, libSceJson, and more (vita3k/module/src/load_module.cpp:142-162).
  A third optional preinst firmware PUP (pd0 partition: system BGM, resources)
  is available from Sony but not commonly required for game compatibility.