SharpEmu is an open-source PlayStation 5 emulator written in C#. Unlike other projects, it supports Linux, macOS, and Android, not just Windows.

Which games currently work in SharpEmu?

On high-end hardware, the emulator runs 2D titles like Dead Cells and Dreaming Sarah. 3D games, including Astro’s Playroom, remain unplayable due to critically low performance.

Why is PS5 emulation important for the industry?

Emulation preserves access to games amid rising console prices and the decline of physical media. It also accelerates game porting to PC and other platforms, bypassing years of waiting for official releases.

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Hardware

SharpEmu PS5 Emulator Runs Astro’s Playroom on Steam Deck at 0.6 FPS

August 13, 2026

Photo: Tom's Hardware

Quick answer

The open-source PS5 emulator SharpEmu has demonstrated Astro’s Playroom running on Steam Deck under SteamOS (Linux), marking a key milestone despite unplayable performance.

The PlayStation 5 emulation community has marked a significant milestone: the SharpEmu project has successfully demonstrated Astro’s Playroom running on the Steam Deck portable console. A video shared by user Ihc160 shows the game loading in SteamOS desktop mode, which is Linux-based. While frame rates struggle to exceed 0.6–1 FPS and audio suffers from noticeable artifacts, the fact that a 3D game runs natively on a non-Windows platform represents a major achievement.

SharpEmu stands out as a cross-platform solution, unlike its competitor KytyPS5, which is Windows-exclusive. Currently, SharpEmu reliably runs simpler 2D games like Dead Cells and Dreaming Sarah on more powerful hardware. However, the developers prioritize architectural improvements over broad compatibility. The project has already been ported to macOS via Rosetta 2 and to Android, though stability on mobile devices remains inconsistent.

Enthusiasts are already testing the emulator on various devices, including the OnePlus 12 smartphone, where the Dreaming Sarah intro screen was displayed—though the game fails to progress further. The Reddit* community is even exploring the possibility of running GTA VI on Android by emulating Windows applications via Winlator. Despite ambitious plans, experts warn that full-fledged emulation of modern 3D games will require years of optimization.

The push for PS5 emulation gains urgency as console prices rise and physical media becomes obsolete. Projects like SharpEmu could become vital tools for preserving gaming heritage and accelerating game ports to PC and other platforms, bypassing the lengthy wait for official releases.

Common questions

What is SharpEmu?: SharpEmu is an open-source PlayStation 5 emulator written in C#. Unlike other projects, it supports Linux, macOS, and Android, not just Windows.
Which games currently work in SharpEmu?: On high-end hardware, the emulator runs 2D titles like Dead Cells and Dreaming Sarah. 3D games, including Astro’s Playroom, remain unplayable due to critically low performance.
Why is PS5 emulation important for the industry?: Emulation preserves access to games amid rising console prices and the decline of physical media. It also accelerates game porting to PC and other platforms, bypassing years of waiting for official releases.

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