PSP Emulator
A PSP emulator ships without games, and that is deliberate. The legal way to play commercial titles is to make copies of games you own. If you still have a PSP and your UMD discs, the process is straightforward and the result is a perfect, permanent backup.
What you need
- A PSP console that can run homebrew. Most models can, after installing community firmware tools.
- A memory stick with enough space for the game you are backing up, or a USB cable.
- Your original UMD discs or games bought from the PlayStation Store on that console.
Backing up a UMD disc
With homebrew enabled, the PSP can expose the inserted UMD as a USB drive. Connect the console to your computer, choose the UMD as the USB device in the homebrew menu, and copy the single ISO file that appears. Alternatively, a dumping tool can write the ISO straight to the memory stick, which you then copy over.
Backing up digital purchases
Games bought digitally are stored in the PSP/GAME folder on the memory stick. PPSSPP can load many of these directly once copied, as long as they come from your own console and account.
ISO, CSO or CHD?
ISO is an exact copy of the disc and loads fastest. CSO is a compressed ISO that saves space, often 20 to 50 percent, with a tiny loading cost. CHD offers better compression and is supported by recent PPSSPP versions. On phones with limited storage, CSO or CHD is the practical choice.
Organizing your library
Rename each file to the game's title so the browser is easy to scan. Keep one folder for games and another for homebrew. PPSSPP reads the game icons and background art from the files, so your library looks like the original console's menu.
Why we do not link to game downloads
Commercial PSP games are still protected by copyright. Downloading copies of games you do not own is not legal in most countries, and download sites are a common source of malware. Making your own backups is safer, legal and gives you files you can trust. For something free to try right away, the homebrew community has made many original PSP games and tools.