Switch 2’s New Console Archives Outshine PS5’s Longstanding PS1 Emulator, Redefining Retro Gaming Experience
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The long-running Arcade Archives series has set a high bar for emulated re-releases of classic games, and the new Console Archives lineup is already impressing. Launching with the classic extreme sports title Cool Boarders adds a layer of irony: there’s now a PS1 emulator on Switch 2 that outperforms Sony’s official emulator on PS5.
Hamster’s version of Cool Boarders is available now on Switch 2 for $12 and will be released on PS5 next week. This isn’t a remaster or an upgrade; it’s simply a PS1 game running in an emulator. However, it’s a solid emulator, and as shown in a comparison video, it significantly outshines the official PS1 emulator on PS5.
With existing PS1 titles on PS5, including Cool Boarders, the games are rendered at a much higher native resolution. While this might seem beneficial, upscaling to a higher resolution exposes flaws in the polygonal models, revealing seams and other issues that are less noticeable at the original 240p resolution. Additionally, this emulator fails to address dithering problems that appear on 2D sprites and backgrounds when PS1 games are displayed on modern screens.
In contrast, the Console Archives version maintains Cool Boarders at its true native resolution, preserving the original aesthetic. The emulator also corrects the dithering issue. In one instance, it leaves the game untouched, while in another, it fixes a problem, resulting in an emulated experience that closely resembles how the game would have looked in the ’90s.
Of course, if you prefer the ultra-sharp look of modern graphics, you might not mind the shortcomings of Sony’s PS1 emulator. However, it suffers from poor performance, with inconsistent frame pacing that makes gameplay feel choppy. This issue has been fully resolved in Hamster’s version.
Another comparison is in the works, and I can’t stress enough…
One of the most glaring issues with the official emulator is its subpar CRT filters, which merely blur the image and apply a pattern that doesn’t resemble an old TV screen. Hamster’s emulator, on the other hand, features much better CRT filters that align with the game’s pixel grid, mimicking the authentic scanlines of a real CRT TV.
While the current version of Cool Boarders is a decent way to experience the game if you’re not focused on retro details, the Console Archives release serves as a reminder that we can—and should—demand better from modern adaptations of classic games. Even if it’s “just” emulation in both cases, it’s disappointing to see Sony’s official option fall short. Here’s hoping Hamster expands its offerings to cover a broader range of the PS1 library in the future.
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Here’s hoping more of the best PS1 games get the treatment they deserve in the future.
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