Huge thanks to everyone that helped get this release ready, over 4 years in the making.
The PCSX2 Dev Team wishes everyone happy emulation with the new release.
The below is a list of highlights, see each respective progress report.
At present we only have the new Windows Installer and Binary available however Linux users can compile from source by following this guide.
Changelog:
Q3,Q4 2019 - Q1 2020 Changes
GSdx changelog:
GSdx-HW: Improve search/invalidate texture in render target by correctly matching vertex offsetted draws with buffer offsetted reads in the texture cache.
GSdx-HW: Implemented Software Sprite Renderer feature which allows to CPU emulate (SSE accelerated) certain sprite draws directly from the HW renderer.
GSdx-HW: Added a dedicated fix for Big Mutha Truckers which allows to render the shadows properly. This also allowed us to reduce the crc hack level so there are less effects skipped.
GSdx-HW: Sprite Hack has been completely removed as it is no longer needed and is replaced by far better alternatives.
GSdx-FX: The TFX shader on Direct3D10/11 has been rewritten to match OpenGL code and its' accuracy for certain effects.
GSdx-D3D: Blend no Barrier support has been ported from OpenGL to Direct3D 10/11.
GSdx-GUI: Hardware hacks GUI has been updated for better usability.
SPU2-X changelog:
Fixed the noise generator outputting 4.8 kHz tone instead of white noise.
CDVD changelog:
PCSX2 now ignores non-existent disc sector reads.
Core changelog:
PCSX2: Prevent the UI from hanging/locking up when a game boots.
PCSX2-tas: TAS Recording functionality has been disabled for 1.6 release as there are some issues to work out (such as hanging/locking up the emulator).
PCSX2: DI execution is delayed by one instruction.
PCSX2: Reverted back to older VRender/VBlank timings.
PCSX2: Partially fixed IPU pack command.
PCSX2: Fixed the emulator hanging when pressing F4 too fast when toggling the Frame Limiter in some occasions.
PCSX2: Fixed the emulator hanging when pressing F9 to toggle rendering between Hardware and Software in some occasions.
PCSX2: Fixed the emulator hanging when pressing F9 to toggle rendering between Hardware and Software mode too fast.
PCSX2: First Time Wizard now properly selects the correct GSdx plugin based on the highest instruction set supported by the CPU.
PCSX2: Improved pointer patch command handling.
PCSX2 GUI changelog:
PCSX2: DPI scaling has been improved.
PCSX2: Translations have been updated for the release of 1.6.
Miscellaneous changelog:
GameDB: True Crime: Streets of L.A. (patched).
GameDB: The database has been once again updated with the inclusion of many games with required gamefixes, as well as removal of gamefixes which are no longer needed.
Q2 2018-Q2 2019 Changes
GSdx changelog:
GSdx-HW: Fix half-bottom screen issues on texture/color shuffling.
GSdx-TC: Palette management rework.
Gsdx-HW: implement fixed TEX0 for all renderers.
GSdx: OSD improvements and port to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx: Accurate Date update and partial port to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx-GL: Bypass the texture cache when the framebuffer is sampled.
GSdx-GL: Experimental Sparse Texture support.
GSdx-D3D: Improved palette support has been ported from OpenGL to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx-D3D: GPU accelerate 8 bits texture conversion port from OpenGL to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx-D3D: Depth Emulation port to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx-D3D: Channel shuffle port to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx-D3D: HDR Colclip blend port to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx-D3D: Accurate Blend Fbmask port to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx-D3D: Partial SW blending port to Direct3D10/11.
GSdx-D3D: Alpha hack has been removed completely, replaced with Blending Accuracy option.
GSdx-HW: Removal of MSAA support in favor of better optimizations and accuracy.
GSdx-HW: Removal of Direct3D9 renderer in favor of better optimizations and accuracy.
GSdx-HW: Removal of many no longer needed hacks.
GSdx-HW: Add Skipdraw Offset option for Skipdraw hack.
GSdx-GUI: GUI update to improve usability.
Core changelog:
PCSX2-TAS: Input Recording/Playback Functionality (speedrunning tools).
Vector Units: Fix bug in "Branch in Delay Slot" Optimization.
Recompiler: Fix stall in branch delay slot.
PCSX2: Improved GameDB handling.
VIF: A VIF core update has been made to fix Downtown Run.
Gif Unit: Recheck VIF status after a reset is performed when waiting for PATH3 (Fixes Eragon).
PCSX2 GUI changelog:
PCSX2: "FMV Aspect Ratio Switch/Override" feature.
PCSX2: Save/Load slot improvements, allow to display slot dates.
SPU2-X changelog:
SPU2-X-GUI: The gui has been updated to improve usability.
Q1 2018 Changes
GSdx changelog:
GSdx-TC: Performance improvement by using custom container.
GSdx-TC: Load size calculation in target update.
GSdx: Texture Shuffle port to Direct3D.
GSdx: Channel Shuffle improvements on Direct3D
GSdx: Hack removal/adjustments.
Core changelog:
PCSX2-Counters: Fix Hblank calculation for DVD video modes.
PCSX2 GUI changelog:
PCSX2: Add configurable Cheats folder to Components Selectors.
PCSX2: Display the video mode on titlebar.
Miscellaneous changelog:
Plugins: XPad and USBqemu have been moved to the legacy plugins VS solution.
General: Code cleanup.
Gamedb: Game database has been updated with many new gamefixes included.
Q3-Q4 2016 Changes
GSdx changelog:
GSdx: Hardware mipmapping support.
GSdx-TC: Proper scaling of all textures.
GSdx: Handling illegal 8 bits pixel storage format.
GSdx-PCRTC: Feedback write support.
GSdx-glsl: Optimize number of active constant buffers in the shader.
GSdx: Avoid illegal instruction crash on older CPUs.
GSdx: Alpha test improvements.
GSdx: Proper custom resolution scaling.
Core changelog:
PCSX2: PSX mode compatibility.
PCSX2: PSX mode, proper video mode initialization.
PCSX2: Improved patch handling.
PCSX2: Accurate video mode detection.
LilyPad and Onepad changelog:
LilyPad: Add separate bindings for each pad type.
LilyPad: Add PlayStation Mouse support.
LilyPad: Updated user interface.
LilyPad: Add dance pad support and revamped Lilypad dialog.
OnePad: General improvements on accuracy.
CDVD changelog:
cdvdgigaherz: Linux port.
Miscellaneous changelog:
PCSX2: FreeBSD support.
Linux: Support Vsync on Linux free driver.
Windows: Remove DirectX redistributable dependency on Windows 8.1/10.
Q1-Q2 2016 Changes
GSdx changelog:
GSdx: Fast texture invalidation option.
GSdx: Improved detection of Framebuffer size.
GSdx: Enable reading of Depth Buffer.
GSdx: Improved PCRTC merge circuit emulation.
GSdx-GL: Fast accurate blending.
GSdx-GL: Depth buffer lookup optimization.
GSdx-FX: Post-Processing updates.
GSdx: Proper handling of 576P/720P/1080I video modes.
Core changelog:
PCSX2: Automatic aspect ratio switch during FMV playback.
VIF: Timing fix for MSCALF, MSCNT instructions.
Vector Units: Scarface I bit gamefix.
CDVD changelog:
CDVDgigaherz: Fixed dual layer DVD reading.
CDVD: Improved ISO layer break detection algorithm.
Lilypad and Onepad changelog:
LilyPad: Add Pop'n Music controller support.
Onepad: GUI redesign.
Miscellaneous changelog:
PCSX2: GUI Improvements.
PCSX2: PCSX2-Auto test suite.