PS2 recomp vs PSP recomp vs emulators
gta-vcs-recomp, VCSNative, PSPRecomp, PCSX2 and PPSSPP side by side, and which to pick for the copy of Vice City Stories you own.
gta-vcs-recomp 515 stars · PSPRecomp 255 stars · VCSNative 66 stars
GTA VCS Recomp Wiki / Compare
Four ways to play Vice City Stories on a computer: two native recompilations and the two emulators most people already know. Recomp data comes from the GitHub repositories on November 8, 2026; emulator rows describe their general capabilities.
At a glance
| gta-vcs-recomp | VCSNative | PCSX2 | PPSSPP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game version | PS2 (2007), USA SLUS-21590 | PSP (2006) | PS2 | PSP |
| What you need | Your .iso | Your PSP_DATA files | Your disc image + a BIOS from your PS2 | Your ISO/CSO |
| How it runs | Recompiled to C++, built on your PC | Recompiled to x64, pre-built | Emulated | Emulated |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon) | Windows, Linux, macOS | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Renderer | Direct3D 11 / Vulkan 1.3 | Vulkan 1.1 (MoltenVK on Mac) | Several (Vulkan, D3D, OpenGL, Metal) | Several (Vulkan, OpenGL, D3D11) |
| Setup time | 20–60 min first build | Unzip and play | Configure the emulator | Configure the emulator |
| Frame rate | 60 by default, up to 240, timing fixed for high fps | 60 fps, paced to 59.94 Hz | Game’s own 30 fps unless patched | Game’s own 30 fps unless patched |
| Widescreen | Hor+ to 32:9, HUD options | 16:9, 21:9, 32:9, 4:3, 16:10, 5:4 | Via patches | Stretch or patches |
| Mouse aim | Yes, free aim | Raw mouse look | Mapped to a pad | Mapped to a pad |
| Extras | Trainer, screenshots, perf overlay | Neon grade, clouds, texture pack | Texture replacement, cheats | Texture replacement, cheats |
| Releases | 10, latest v0.2.3 | 1 (v1.0.0) | Mature | Mature |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0+ |
gta-vcs-recomp (gothamor) vs VCSNative (OverkillLabs3)
Both are static recompilations, but of different games. gta-vcs-recomp starts from the PS2 executable and a vendored PS2Recomp; it ships source plus a launcher and compiles the game on your machine, so it can target your CPU and release several times a week. VCSNative starts from the PSP executable via PSPRecomp and ships a finished executable for Windows and macOS, so there is nothing to compile, but every fix waits for a new release.
| gta-vcs-recomp | VCSNative | |
|---|---|---|
| Repository | gothamor/gta-vcs-recomp | OverkillLabs3/vice-city-stories-recomp |
| Created | October 30, 2026 | October 5, 2026 |
| Stars / forks | 515 / 28 | 66 / 5 |
| Release downloads | 20,710 | 5,567 |
| Latest | v0.2.3 (November 6, 2026) | v1.0.0 (October 5, 2026) |
| Last push | November 6, 2026 | October 27, 2026 |
| Input | PS2 USA .iso | PSP_DATA with a decrypted executable |
| Look | PS2 by default; Enhanced preset optional | “Vice City graphics” preset on by default |
| Known open issues | 62 (incl. PRs) | 4 (incl. PRs) |
A frequent complaint about VCSNative is the input format: it wants the PSP executable prepared as a decrypted ELF in a folder, where most recomps accept a disc image (#6). gta-vcs-recomp reads a plain .iso.
Where PSPRecomp fits
PSPRecomp by Jessica Natalia is the framework under VCSNative: it reads an Allegrex/MIPS executable, analyses its functions and emits C++ that links into a native host runtime, with no interpreter or JIT. The repository has 255 stars and no releases; its Windows host uses DirectX 12, and VCSNative adds the Vulkan stack and macOS build on top. Open pull requests add Linux builds through Proton (#10) and a Chinatown Wars profile (#14); a user asked in #16 whether it is still maintained.
Versus PCSX2 and PPSSPP
- Choose a recomp for a PC-native feel: mouse aim, 60–240 fps with timing corrected, true widescreen, quick start once built.
- Choose PCSX2 if your copy is a non-USA PS2 disc (gta-vcs-recomp accepts only SLUS-21590) or you want one program for your whole PS2 library.
- Choose PPSSPP for the PSP version on Android, iOS or Linux, where VCSNative has no build.
Every option needs your own copy of the game. This site does not link to BIOS files, disc images or ROMs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, gta-vcs-recomp or VCSNative?
It depends on the copy you own. With the PS2 USA disc, gta-vcs-recomp is the more active project (10 releases, 515 stars, Windows and Linux). With the PSP version, VCSNative is the only native option, and the only one with a Mac app, but it has had a single release (October 5, 2026).
Is the PS2 or PSP version of Vice City Stories better?
The PSP original (2006) was made for a handheld screen; the PS2 release followed a year later for TVs. The two recomps then add their own improvements: gta-vcs-recomp keeps the PS2 look by default and makes everything else optional, VCSNative turns on its “Vice City graphics” preset (colour grade, sky, clouds, distant lights) by default.
Why use a recomp instead of PCSX2 or PPSSPP?
A recomp runs as a normal PC program, so it can fix things an emulator cannot: real frame-rate independence up to 240 fps, Hor+ widescreen with a correct HUD, mouse aim like a PC shooter. Emulators are mature, run many games and many platforms (PPSSPP even on Android), and need no build step.
Can PSPRecomp run other games?
It is designed to: the framework and the game profile are separate, and a profile guide explains how to add titles. Its only working profile is Vice City Stories; an open pull request adds a GTA: Chinatown Wars profile. A recent issue asks whether the project is still maintained.