SharpEmu emulator runs PS5 game locally on Steam Deck

The open-source emulator SharpEmu has successfully run the PlayStation 5 title ‘Astro’s Playroom’ locally on the Steam Deck. Unlike previous methods that rely on remote play or streaming, this test involved running the PS5 code directly on the handheld's hardware via SteamOS.

While the achievement marks a technical milestone for PS5 emulation, the performance remains extremely low. During testing, the game achieved an average frame rate of approximately 0.6 FPS, with fluctuations between 0.5 and 1 FPS. Audio was also reported to be heavily interrupted. The software was only able to reach the PlayStation Studios loading screen.

SharpEmu is being developed from scratch using C# and aims for emulation accuracy across various architectures, including x86, Apple Silicon via Rosetta 2, and Windows on Arm. While the emulator can run lighter 2D titles like ‘Dead Cells’ on more powerful hardware, modern PS5 titles currently face significant hardware and software hurdles for playable performance.