Over at Kotaku Chris Kohler got some hands on time with the PlayStation Classic and was able to confirm via the menu that it is using the emulator PCSX ReArmed.
PCSX ReARmed is a fork (when someone takes a copy of source code and begins their own independent work on it to create something separate) of PCSX-Reloaded, a open-source console emulator that is the main version of PCSX from 2000. Development of the emulator has changed many hands since its original release and was even used for the release of N2O: Nitrous Oxide on Steam in 2015.
Frank Cifaldi, founder of the Video Game History Foundation, spoke a little about the usage of an open-source emulator in an officially licensed product, including mentioning that time Sony attempted to sue Bleem! (best little emulator ever made) for their emulation of the original PlayStation. The case opened in 1999 and lasted until 2002 where Sony lost though Bleem! was forced out of business due to the cost of legal fees. This hasn’t stopped other companies from seeking to shut down emulation and the spread of ROMs, most notably Nintendo’s lawsuits against LoveRETRO and LoveROMS in July of this year.
Meanwhile the same Kotaku article also includes a look at the PlayStation Classic’s UI which is, disappointingly simple. The full lineup of games is also available, though also disappointing in comparison to PSOne classics you can purchase and play on your PlayStation 3/PlayStation Portable/ and PlayStation Vita systems. Despite that the hardware itself looks very nice, you can see for yourself in our image gallery.
The PlayStation Classic uses an open source emulator, PCSX. Lesser educated people might see this as a cause of frustration, but here's the reality: it's an acknowledgement that an "amateur" emulator can be just as valid as an "official" one (and they're usually better!). pic.twitter.com/zJztoiYiwT
— Frank Cifaldi (@frankcifaldi) November 8, 2018