The following is a list of tools and documents useful for analyzing, modding or
translating PlayStation games. Many of them are conveniently available in Linux
by a package manager like apt.
- PSX file format conversion tools
- CD-ROM tools
- Disassemblers and decompilers
- Emulators and debuggers
- Documentation
- Development and miscellaneous
PSX file format conversion tools
- jPSXdec
- Audio/video convertor which can extract PSX file formats from a disc image and build an index of file locations. Converts XA, STR, TIM.
- psxsdk
- Unofficial SDK for creating PlayStation games. Includes source for some conversion tools for PSX formats (ISO/BIN, WAV/VAG. TIM/BMP).
CD-ROM tools
- PSXImager
- Three tools: psxrip (extract files and disc metadata from BIN/CUE), psxbuild (creates a disc image), and psxinject (modify a disc image). Unfortunately doesn’t provide a build, and has difficulty with some images.
- AcetoneISO
- Linux tool to mount, extract and burn single-track ISO and BIN.
- PowerISO
- Commercial Windows/Linux CD-ROM authoring tool.
- ccd2iso
- Linux tool to convert IMG to ISO.
- iat
- Linux tool to convert various formats to ISO.
- bchunk
- Linux tool to convert BIN/CUE to ISO and CD audio to WAV. Supports PSX 2336-byte chunk tracks.
- isoinfo
- Linux tool to list contents of ISO files.
- binmerge
- Python script to combine a multi-track BIN/CUE into one.
Disassemblers and decompilers
- Ghidra
- NSA’s disassembler/decompiler, released to the public in 2019.
- Radare2
- Free and open-source disassembly tool.
- IDA Pro
- Commercial decompiler. There’s a free version but it only supports x86/64 and not MIPS (PSX). ghidra_psx_ldr
- PSX executable add-on for Ghidra.
- This Dust Remembers What It Once Was
- Tools for aiding PSX analysis with Ghidra. Convert PSX-EXE to ELF and parse PsyQ .SYM files.
Emulators and debuggers
Documentation
- Nocash PSX Specifications
- Description of PSX systems from the author of an emulator.
- Everything You Have Always Wanted to Know about the Playstation But Were Afraid to Ask v1.1
- A collection of documentation about the PSX hardware and history from 2000 (originally here).
- Introduction to Hacking the Sony Playstation One
- RetroReversing’s articles on the PSX.
- Net Yaroze Startup Guide
- Documentation for the official Net Yaroze PSX devkit.
Development and miscellaneous
- Romhacking.net PSX Utilities
- A list of PSX utilities for various platforms.
- psx.arthus.net
- A collection of PSX development resources.
- PSX Links
- Another collection of documentation and resources.
- loveemu labo’s PSX articles
- Some articles.
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