ArcStation: a seamless ODE that resurrects your PS1

For owners of a PlayStation 1 whose CD player has given up the ghost (or who simply want to play from an SD card), a new solution has appeared. The ArcStation is an ODE (Optical Drive Emulator) for PS1 which stands out for one major characteristic: installation requires no soldering.

Concretely, the ArcStation physically replaces the mechanism of the original PlayStation CD player. We unscrew the drive, screw in the ArcStation in place, and that's it. Compatibility with the PSone compact is confirmed. The solution emulates the optical drive's RF signal, meaning the console detects it as a real drive, improving compatibility compared to some older solutions.

The price is around $165 (delivery included) for the version with a 3D printed case. Pre-orders are currently open, with delivery expected on or before September 2026.

The ODE market for PS1 has existed for a few years with the XStation and PSIO, but the seamless aspect of the ArcStation makes it accessible to a much wider audience. You don't need to be an experienced tinkerer to enjoy a PS1 that plays from any storage media.

Excellent news for the preservation and playability of a console whose optical drives age poorly.

Source: RetroRGB - RetroShell