The PS3 classic MotorStorm has finally made its way to PC. Thanks to recent improvements in the RPCS3 emulator, players can now experience this beloved off-road racer on their computers and even on Steam Deck. This is huge news for racing game fans who have been waiting nearly two decades to play this PlayStation exclusive on other platforms.
What Makes This Achievement Special
MotorStorm was one of the earliest PS3 titles that really showed what the console could do. The game featured impressive car destruction physics and terrain deformation that still hold up today. But the PS3’s notoriously complex architecture made it incredibly difficult to emulate, which is why backward compatibility has been such a challenge for PlayStation consoles.
The RPCS3 team has been working for years to crack the PS3’s unique design. Their latest update marks a major milestone. Not only can you run MotorStorm now, but you can also play it at 60FPS instead of the original 30FPS lock from the PS3 version. You can even upscale the resolution, though the team warns against pushing it too far on mid-tier graphics cards.
Performance on Steam Deck
What’s even more impressive is that MotorStorm runs on Steam Deck. While it’s not perfect on Valve’s handheld, it’s definitely playable with some tweaks. Players need to set the GPU clock to 1600MHz for stable performance and disable MSAA to keep things smooth. The visual patches available through RPCS3 can help improve the experience further.
Any system slightly more powerful than the Steam Deck should run the game comfortably. That means most modern gaming PCs will have no trouble handling it, especially with the optimization patches available through the emulator community.
Settings and Patches
Getting the best experience requires some configuration. The emulator offers various patches that can enhance visuals and performance. One major tip from the RPCS3 team is to watch out for muddy track levels, as these are particularly GPU-intensive. High-end GPUs can brute-force their way through with upscaling enabled, but players with more modest hardware should stick to native resolution or modest upscaling.
The European version of the game, particularly the Complete Edition v3.1, reportedly offers better performance with significantly reduced stuttering compared to other versions. Community members have been testing different configurations and sharing settings profiles that minimize the occasional vehicle stuttering that can occur during races.
What About Other MotorStorm Games
MotorStorm isn’t the only game in the series making progress. Pacific Rift, the first sequel, is also playable on RPCS3 and runs well on Steam Deck. MotorStorm Apocalypse, the second PS3 sequel, is still being worked on and currently suffers from some minor visual and performance issues, but the RPCS3 team is actively improving compatibility.
Why This Matters for Game Preservation
This development is significant beyond just playing an old game. MotorStorm never received a remaster or port to modern platforms. The developer, Evolution Studios, was closed by Sony in 2016, and the franchise has been dormant ever since. Without emulation efforts like RPCS3, games like MotorStorm would remain locked to aging PS3 hardware that won’t last forever.
Emulation serves as digital preservation, ensuring that these games remain accessible for future generations. The fact that players can now experience MotorStorm with improved frame rates and resolution shows how emulation can actually enhance the original experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RPCS3 legal to use?
Yes, RPCS3 is completely legal. Emulators themselves are legal software. However, you need to legally own a copy of MotorStorm and dump the game files from your own PS3 console to use with the emulator.
What are the minimum PC requirements to run MotorStorm on RPCS3?
You’ll need at least a modern quad-core CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a graphics card with Vulkan support. The Steam Deck serves as a good baseline – anything more powerful than that should handle the game well.
Can I play MotorStorm online through RPCS3?
No, the official MotorStorm servers were shut down years ago, so online multiplayer is not available even through emulation. You can only play the single-player campaign and local multiplayer modes.
Does the 60FPS patch cause any issues?
The 60FPS patch works well, but it does increase the performance requirements. If you’re experiencing issues, you can stick with the original 30FPS mode for a more stable experience on lower-end hardware.
Will other PS3 exclusives become playable on RPCS3?
The RPCS3 team continues to improve compatibility across the entire PS3 library. Many exclusive titles are already playable, and the emulator is constantly being updated with better performance and fewer bugs.
What’s the difference between the European and North American versions?
The European Complete Edition v3.1 has been reported to have significantly less stuttering compared to the North American version. If you’re experiencing performance issues, try using the EU version if you have access to it.
Do I need a powerful gaming PC to run this?
Not necessarily. Since it runs on Steam Deck, any modern gaming PC should handle it fine. You might need to adjust settings like resolution scaling and MSAA depending on your GPU, but the base requirements are quite reasonable.
Conclusion
The fact that MotorStorm is now playable on PC and Steam Deck represents years of dedicated work from the RPCS3 development team. This PS3 exclusive can finally be experienced by a wider audience, running better than it ever did on the original hardware. Whether you’re a longtime fan wanting to revisit the muddy tracks or a new player curious about this classic racer, now’s the perfect time to experience what made MotorStorm special. The combination of improved frame rates, resolution options, and portable play on Steam Deck makes this the definitive way to play a game that deserves to be remembered.