What is the PBP file format?
.pbp files are associated with the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) gaming console. The format, developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, is a proprietary binary container that packages an executable together with metadata, icons, background art and sound into a single file. The canonical filename is EBOOT.PBP - the entry the PSP's XMB menu launches directly.
Files with the .pbp extension can be used for distributing:
- installed PSP games and PS1 classic titles,
- game demos,
- applications and utilities,
- homebrew,
- system software updates.
.pbp is also a popular file format for installing exploits or custom (hacked) firmware.
Internally, every .pbp begins with the 4-byte magic \0PBP, followed by a version field and an offset table pointing to eight packed sub-files: PARAM.SFO (title and region metadata), ICON0.PNG, ICON1.PMF, PIC0.PNG, PIC1.PNG, SND0.AT3 (XMB menu music), DATA.PSP (the main executable) and DATA.PSAR (game data archive). Retail titles have DATA.PSP encrypted and signed by Sony's KIRK security engine, while homebrew .pbp files are typically unencrypted.
What is homebrew?
Homebrew is software developed by independent creators for devices that do not officially recognize it. PSP homebrew is distributed using .pbp files. Homebrew software can add new features to the target device or the ability to run certain applications. .pbp files allow users to install on their PSP such applications as ebook readers, file managers, media players, and emulators.
Beyond the PSP, the same .pbp container wraps PS1 classic games distributed on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. On PC and mobile, .pbp files can be opened through the PPSSPP emulator (available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android) or unpacked with tools such as PBP Unpacker. PSP disc images are more commonly distributed as .ISO or .CSO files, while PSP plugins use the .PRX format.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMA PBP is a package, not a self-running PC program, but homebrew EBOOTs are arbitrary PSP code from the community - run unknown homebrew only on hardware/emulators you're willing to risk, and prefer reputable sources. Retail EBOOTs are signed by Sony. Beware piracy: distributing copyrighted PSP/PS1 games as EBOOT.PBP is illegal in most places. The container itself can't infect a PC, but always scan downloads.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open PBP files
Windows3 apps
PBP Unpacker
Free Open the .pbp to split it into its sub-files (PARAM.SFO, icons, DATA.PSP, DATA.PSAR) for inspection. 
PPSSPP (emulator)
Open-source File > Load and select EBOOT.PBP (or browse to the game folder) to run the PSP game/homebrew on PC.
Sony PSP (hardware)
Built-in Copy the package to /PSP/GAME/<name>/EBOOT.PBP on the Memory Stick; launch it from the PSP Game menu. 
macOS1 app
Linux1 app
Android1 app
PPSSPP (emulator)
Freemium Open the EBOOT.PBP in the PPSSPP Android app to play PSP/PS1-classic titles on a phone. Technical details
deep spec| File signature (magic) | \0PBP - hex bytes 00 50 42 50 at offset 0 |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Encoding | Binary |
| Container structure | Fixed header followed by an 8-entry offset table pointing to sequentially packed sub-files |
| Packed sub-files | PARAM.SFO, ICON0.PNG, ICON1.PMF, PIC0.PNG, PIC1.PNG, SND0.AT3, DATA.PSP, DATA.PSAR (fixed 8 slots) |
| Metadata sub-file | PARAM.SFO stores title, game ID, required firmware version, region and parental level |
| Maximum sub-file slots | 8 (fixed by format design; unused slots are zero-length entries) |
| Compression | None at the container level; the embedded DATA.PSAR may use internal compression |
| Encryption | Retail DATA.PSP is encrypted and signed via Sony's KIRK/PRX security chain; homebrew EBOOTs are typically unsigned and unencrypted |
| Container integrity | No user-facing checksum in the PBP header; retail executables verified by KIRK cryptographic signature on DATA.PSP |
| Canonical filename | EBOOT.PBP (the bootable package launched directly by the PSP XMB menu) |
| Typical file size | Tens of KB for icon/menu shells; up to several hundred MB for full PS1 classic or game EBOOTs |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Compatible platforms | Sony PSP (hardware), PlayStation 3 (PS1 classics), PlayStation Vita, PPSSPP emulator (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android) |
| Developer | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Released | 2004 (PlayStation Portable launch in Japan; worldwide 2005) |
| Latest version | PSP PBP container (also used for PS1-classic EBOOTs on PSP/PS3/PS Vita) |
| Specification | www.psdevwiki.com |
PBP conversions
Community Q&A
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