RPCS3 uses a high-level emulation (HLE) approach and does not require a dumped PS3 BIOS. It only needs the official PlayStation 3 firmware (a PS3UPDAT.PUP file), which is legally downloadable from Sony’s website.

Technically, the PlayStation 3 uses rather than a traditional BIOS. This file acts as the "brain" of the emulator. Without it, the app cannot communicate with the game files. File Type: Usually a .PUP file.

Popular emulator projects and progress (high level)