KB-RPCS3: the PS3 emulator RPCS3 runs on jailbroken PS5
By Tgames · · 2 min read
2026 update: on PC, RPCS3 announces that 80% of PS3 games are now playable; read on in our news story RPCS3: 80% of PS3 games playable on PC, Yakuza: Dead Souls included.
KB-RPCS3 runs the PS3 emulator RPCS3 as a native application on jailbroken PS5: LIMBO is playable and GTA IV boots. An alpha, with no package.
What it is
Released on 9 October 2026 as version Alpha 0.1.0, KB-RPCS3 is an unofficial port of RPCS3, the reference PlayStation 3 emulator on PC. The emulator core is compiled for the PS5, and the image goes through the Mesa/RADV Vulkan driver directly on the console's hardware. On top of that comes a real PS5 application:
Why there is nothing to download
This alpha is released as source code only. The RPCS3 core is licensed under GPL-2.0 only, the PS5 components under GPL-3.0, and these two licences cannot be combined in a single distributed program. Until this is resolved, the author is not releasing any PS5 package, and promises no date.
Tested games
Testing was done on a single PS5 Slim on firmware 13.60, with etaHEN, kstuff lite and ShadowMountPlus, at normal speed:
Good to know
KB-RPCS3 is neither made nor supported by the RPCS3 team: do not ask them for help with this port. You need a jailbroken PS5, so a firmware between 7.00 and 13.60 with Relapse, as well as your own games and the official PS3 firmware. To play PS3 games on PC, see our RPCS3 tutorial, and for other emulators on PS5, our selection of PS5 homebrews.
Sources: KB-RPCS3 (GitHub) · Alpha 0.1.0
KB-RPCS3 runs the PS3 emulator RPCS3 as a native application on jailbroken PS5: LIMBO is playable and GTA IV boots. An alpha, with no package.
What it is
Released on 9 October 2026 as version Alpha 0.1.0, KB-RPCS3 is an unofficial port of RPCS3, the reference PlayStation 3 emulator on PC. The emulator core is compiled for the PS5, and the image goes through the Mesa/RADV Vulkan driver directly on the console's hardware. On top of that comes a real PS5 application:
- a home screen with Games, Installation, Settings and System tabs;
- global and per-game settings, with recommended settings taken from RPCS3's public database;
- installation of the PS3 firmware (PS3UPDAT.PUP), PSN packages (.pkg) and their licences (.rap);
- tiles on the PS5 home screen to launch a game directly;
- the DualSense with its vibration, saves and trophy notifications.
Why there is nothing to download
This alpha is released as source code only. The RPCS3 core is licensed under GPL-2.0 only, the PS5 components under GPL-3.0, and these two licences cannot be combined in a single distributed program. Until this is resolved, the author is not releasing any PS5 package, and promises no date.
Tested games
Testing was done on a single PS5 Slim on firmware 13.60, with etaHEN, kstuff lite and ShadowMountPlus, at normal speed:
- LIMBO: playable, including image, sound and controls;
- WWE ’12: playable, menus close to 60 fps, slowdowns during big moves;
- GTA IV: boots and plays, but with major limitations, 13 to 27 fps when driving. You must set “SPU XFloat Accuracy” to “Accurate”, otherwise cars fall through the road.
Good to know
KB-RPCS3 is neither made nor supported by the RPCS3 team: do not ask them for help with this port. You need a jailbroken PS5, so a firmware between 7.00 and 13.60 with Relapse, as well as your own games and the official PS3 firmware. To play PS3 games on PC, see our RPCS3 tutorial, and for other emulators on PS5, our selection of PS5 homebrews.
Sources: KB-RPCS3 (GitHub) · Alpha 0.1.0
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