The XPSemu project has successfully ported the open-source xemu emulator to jailbroken PlayStation 5 consoles. This allows users to run original Xbox games from 2001 on Sony hardware. The emulator utilizes QEMU TCG JIT for CPU emulation and the RADV driver for graphics rendering.
The Alpha 1 version of XPSemu is now public. It includes features such as an Xbox-like interface, performance monitoring, and internal resolution scaling from 1x to 4x. Testing shows Halo 2 runs at 36–50 FPS with a patch, while Forza Motorsport achieves 15–21 FPS. Developers noted that CPU emulation is the primary bottleneck, consuming up to 97% of allocated time.
Beyond original Xbox emulation, other projects are in development for the PS5. Developer BrinoBlitz demonstrated early Xbox 360 emulation on the console on October 3. Additionally, the PP project aims to bring Proton to the PS5, potentially allowing the direct execution of Windows games without a full Linux installation, though no public release is currently available.
The feasibility of these homebrew projects depends heavily on the console's firmware version. While the Relapse jailbreak supports firmware up to 13.60, Sony released a new system update 26.06-14.10.00 on October 1, which addresses security vulnerabilities. These developments mark a significant acceleration in PS5 homebrew capabilities.
