ePSXe’s history divides into three eras: the classic climb (2000–2016), the long silence (2016–2025), and the return (2025– ). This guide walks the eras with the release facts that matter to users today. For the dated table, see the version history page.
Era 1: the classic climb (2000–2016)
ePSXe — enhanced PSX emulator — debuted on October 14, 2000, written by calb, Galtor and _Demo_ (ePSXe Software S.L.). Through the 1.x line it became the default PS1 emulator of its decade, built on a plugin architecture that let the community push graphics and sound independently of the core. The era closed with v2.0.5 in June 2016 — a substantial release in its own right: a unified recompiler across platforms, local netplay ported from Android, GPUCORE threading, new Pete’s OpenGL2 core threading modes, >2 GB PBP support, and a cheat-code download option using psxdatacenter data.
Era 2: the silence (2016–2025)
For nine years the desktop line did not move. Android received maintenance (the app stayed on Google Play, reaching 2.0.15 in 2021 by Wikipedia’s record), but Windows users in 2020 were running a 2016 emulator — and most web guides fossilised around it. That fossil record is why so much ePSXe advice online describes menus and plugins of another age, and why this site dates everything it says.
Era 3: the return (2025– )
- Android v2.0.18 (August 2025): Android TV improvements, disc-swap fixes, cheats in scoped storage, SDK 34 — the first clear sign of an active team.
- Windows v2.0.18 (December 23, 2025): the desktop return — CHD support, DPI Awareness, SPUCORE reverb work, named game fixes, HLE improvements. Detailed in our 2.0.18 changelog guide.
- Android v2.0.19 (July 2026): Oboe audio, Google Drive sync, CAS & MMPX shaders, SDK 35 — and a team now shipping point-release fixes (2.0.19.2–2.0.19.5). Covered in our 2.0.19 guide.
What did not come back
Linux and macOS remain on v2.0.5 — the return, so far, is a Windows-and-Android story. We keep saying so (Linux, Mac) because version inflation is this niche’s favourite lie: any source claiming a 2024 Linux build or a native Apple Silicon ePSXe is describing software that does not exist on the official site.
Which version should you run?
Windows: 2.0.18. Android: the current Play release (2.0.19 series). Linux/macOS: 2.0.5, with eyes open about its age — or a maintained alternative if your platform matters more than continuity. Your .mcr memory cards are version-proof either way.