The popular PS3 emulator is now closer to true plug-and-play disc backups as encrypted ISO support has been added to the utility.
RPCS3 Removes the Requirement of Loading a Decrypted PS3 ISO and Can Now Directly Play Encrypted ISO Files
The popular PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 continues to make steady progress in simplifying game loading. As one of the most popular PS3 emulators on the planet, RPCS3 has undergone several changes over the last decade and has brought major updates in the last few months. A few months ago, RPCS3 devs made it possible to directly load the game through mounting the ISO, a step that made extracting ISO files unnecessary.
Today, it has announced another convenient and kinda major update, which makes it even easier for users. In an X post, RPCS3 announced that the emulator can now load the "Encrypted" PS3 ISO files. By allowing this, users now need to supply the corresponding disc key alongside the image, and the game will run quickly. The previous ISO loading only supported "Decrypted" ISOs, which means users had to go through a couple of steps to get the decrypted ISO. By running a decryption tool, the ISO was then converted into a "decrypted" ISO, which was the only way RPCS3 could read it.
So, this last step is essentially eliminated from the process, which makes running PS3 games hassle-free on RPCS3. This basically means users can now keep their backups closer to the original discs without converting them into extracted folders. This will help in a cleaner preservation, as encrypted disc images can maintain a structure similar to the original Blu-ray layout.
Even though this seems like a small upgrade, it's really convenient. It might not be as convenient as launching the PS3 game through Steam, which is now possible, but having one less step is a welcome move. As of now, over 70% of all PS3 games are playable through the tool, while the rest of the games can still be played through the emulator with some minor graphical issues and bugs.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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