emulator: PPSSPP
type: standalone + libretro
core_classification: official_port
source: "https://github.com/libretro/ppsspp"
upstream: "https://github.com/hrydgard/ppsspp"
profiled_date: "2026-03-24"
core_version: "Git"
display_name: "Sony - PlayStation Portable (PPSSPP)"
cores:
  - ppsspp
systems: [sony-psp]

pack_structure:
  libretro: "PPSSPP"

data_directories:
  - ref: ppsspp-assets
    destination: ""
    source_ref: "libretro/libretro.cpp:537,549"

notes: |
  Full HLE emulator. No Sony firmware or BIOS required.
  All PSP kernel modules (flash0:/kd/*.prx) are reimplemented in C++.
  Libretro core loads assets from system/PPSSPP/ via VFS.
  Assets include replacement PGF fonts (18 files in flash0/font/),
  game compatibility database (compat.ini), language mapping (langregion.ini),
  and post-processing shaders (shaders/).
  Libretro fork (2020-03-18) behind upstream.
  PSP_DEFAULT_FIRMWARE = 660 (Core/ConfigValues.h:40).

files:
  - name: "ppge_atlas.zim"
    path: "PPSSPP/ppge_atlas.zim"
    description: "PPGe dialog texture atlas for save/load dialogs, on-screen keyboard, system UI"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Core/Util/PPGeDraw.cpp:227-228"
    note: "PanicAlert if missing. System dialogs render without graphics but core continues running."

  - name: "ppge_atlas.meta"
    path: "PPSSPP/ppge_atlas.meta"
    description: "PPGe atlas metadata (glyph positions, UV coords)"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Core/Util/PPGeDraw.cpp:235-237"
    note: "Loaded after ppge_atlas.zim. Without it, dialog UI has no glyph layout."