The Evolution of Emulation: ePSXe and the CHD Standard For decades, the ePSXe (enhanced PSX emulator) stood as the gold standard for PlayStation 1 emulation, providing gamers a way to revisit classics like Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid on modern hardware. However, as the emulation scene matured, the traditional methods of storing games—primarily the bulky BIN/CUE format—began to feel dated. The recent introduction of CHD (Compressed Hunks of Data) support in ePSXe's December 2025 update marks a significant shift, bridging the gap between a legacy emulator and modern storage efficiency. The Storage Revolution: From BIN/CUE to CHD
Setup BIOS: Place your legal PS1 BIOS files (e.g., scph1001.bin) in the bios folder within your ePSXe directory. Run the Game: Open ePSXe. Go to File > Run ISO. Navigate to your folder containing the .chd files. Select your game and click Open. Converting Your Library to CHD epsxe chd files
For Batch Conversion (PowerShell Script):
Save this as convert_to_chd.ps1 in your folder: The Evolution of Emulation: ePSXe and the CHD
If you want to keep CHD files and still play PS1 games, switch to: The Storage Revolution: From BIN/CUE to CHD Setup
Windows: Support for ISOs in CHD format was added in ePSXe version 2.0.18.