Browser play guide
How to play your favorite PSP games in your browser
By RetroHours · Updated
On this page
To play a PSP game in RetroHours, copy your UMD as an ISO file and add it with Add a game, on its own or in a ZIP. Then choose Play Now. You don’t need PSP firmware, a BIOS file, an emulator download or any setup on your computer.
It works the same way on Windows, Mac, Linux and Chromebook, and on phones and tablets with the on-screen pad.
What you need
- A PSP game on UMD that you own, and a PSP to copy it with. RetroHours doesn’t sell or share games.
- A modern browser. Run Your browser to see whether yours has what the player needs.
- Browser storage for the game. A PSP game takes up to 1.8 GB.
Copy your UMD as an ISO
Computers can’t read UMDs, so the copy is made with a PSP. On a PSP running custom firmware (CFW), the VSH menu can share the UMD drive over USB, and the game appears on your computer as an ISO file.
- Insert the UMD, press SELECT on the PSP’s home screen to open the VSH menu, and set USB DEVICE to UMD Disc.
- Connect the PSP to your computer with a USB cable and choose USB Connection in the PSP’s Settings.
- Copy the
.isofile from the new drive to your computer.
Already have an ISO from an older backup? It works too, as long as it’s an uncompressed copy of the whole UMD.
Which PSP files work
| What you have | Works? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| ISO | Yes | Add it as it is. |
| ZIP, 7z or RAR with one ISO inside | Yes | Add the archive as it is. ZIP files up to 4 GB work. |
| CSO, DAX or JSO (compressed ISO) | Not yet | Decompress it to ISO first, for example with maxcso: maxcso --decompress game.cso -o game.iso. |
| CHD | Not yet | Convert it back to ISO with chdman: chdman extractdvd -i game.chd -o game.iso. |
| EBOOT.PBP (PlayStation Store download) | No | Copy the game from its UMD instead. |
| Several games in one archive | No | Use one archive per game. |
Add the game and start playing
- Open Add a game, select Choose ZIP and pick your ISO or archive. You can also drop it onto the page.
- Wait while RetroHours checks the game and copies it into this browser. PSP games don’t need approval, so they’re ready as soon as the copy finishes.
- On the game page, choose Play Now.
- Select Start game when asked, then click the game screen so it gets your keys.
RetroHours starts the PSP on its own system software, so there’s no firmware to find, and the game starts straight from the UMD image.
Controls
| PSP button | Keyboard |
|---|---|
| D-pad | Arrow keys |
| Cross | Z |
| Circle | X |
| Square | A |
| Triangle | S |
| L / R | Q / W |
| Start | Enter |
| Select | Space |
Controllers work too: press a button once so the browser sees it. The upper shoulder buttons (LB/RB on Xbox, L1/R1 on PlayStation) are the PSP’s L and R, and the left stick works as the D-pad. To use the left stick as the PSP’s analog stick, open Controls and set Controller sends to Controller. Phones and tablets show an on-screen pad, and you can change any key on the same page.
Regions, Circle and Cross
US, European, Japanese and other Asian games all work. Japanese and other Asian games confirm with Circle, as they did on those consoles; US and European games confirm with Cross. Japanese menus and text display correctly.
When a Japanese game asks for a name, type it in hiragana or katakana. The on-screen keyboard doesn’t convert to kanji.
Saves
Each game gets its own memory stick, kept in this browser. Save in the game as you would on a PSP, then stop the session with the player’s controls before closing the tab.
Download a copy from Saves now and then, and always before clearing browser data. Save states aren’t available for PSP games, so use the game’s own saves.
When something doesn’t work
- The file isn’t recognized as a game: check that it’s one uncompressed ISO of a PSP UMD, and read the message shown after the import.
- The game doesn’t start: a few games keep their start-up program only in encrypted form, and those can’t start yet.
- No sound: select Start game when shown, then check the player volume and your device’s output.
- Keys do nothing: click the game screen. Tab moves focus back to the player buttons.
- Videos play sound but no picture: update your browser. PSP videos use the browser’s built-in video decoder.
- The game runs slowly: close other tabs and apps. A recent computer, phone or tablet gives the smoothest play.
If you need help, include the game and its region, your browser and device, and the exact message.
Common questions
- Do I need PSP firmware or a BIOS?
- No. RetroHours runs PSP games on its own system software, so you never need to find, download or upload firmware or a BIOS file.
- Is RetroHours free for PSP games?
- Yes. The free plan keeps up to 10 games and their saves in your browser. Paid plans add automatic cloud backups.
- Can I play PSP games on a Mac, Chromebook or phone?
- Yes. RetroHours runs in the browser, so there’s nothing to install. Phones and tablets use the on-screen pad or a connected controller. Run the browser check on the home page first.
- Can I play PSP games with friends?
- Not yet. Ad hoc and online modes aren’t available, so play the single-player modes.
- Can I bring saves from another emulator or a PSP?
- Not yet. Each PSP game starts with an empty memory stick in RetroHours.
- Can I play PS1 games too?
- Yes. The PS1 guide shows how to copy and add a PS1 disc.
- Does RetroHours provide games?
- No. Add copies of games you own. RetroHours doesn’t sell, share or link to game downloads.
Credits
PlayStation Portable and PSP are trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment. RetroHours is an independent browser player and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sony.