PPF patch files
A PPF file patches a CD or DVD disc image such as a .bin or .iso, rather than a cartridge ROM. It writes changes at absolute offsets and cannot alter the image size. Three versions exist: PPF1 has no verification, PPF2 checks a 1024-byte block of the image, and PPF3 adds an image-type field and optional block checks.
- Extension
- .ppf
- Identifier bytes
- PPF10, PPF20 or PPF30
- Verifies your ROM
- Yes
- Can change ROM size
- No
- Create on this site
- Yes
- Common on
- PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast
Limitations
- Cannot change the size of the image.
- Version 1 has no validation at all.
Why disc images need a different format
A PlayStation game is not a flat ROM. It is a disc image with sector structure, and it is large. Patch formats designed around whole-file checksums are awkward here, so PPF simply overwrites byte ranges at absolute positions and leaves the size untouched.
That design has a consequence worth knowing: a PPF patch does not care whether your image is the right game. Version 1 in particular will apply to anything.
The three PPF versions
| Version | Magic | Validation |
|---|---|---|
| PPF 1.0 | PPF10 | None. Applies to any file. |
| PPF 2.0 | PPF20 | Stores the image size and a 1024-byte block from offset 0x9320 to compare. |
| PPF 3.0 | PPF30 | Adds an image type field and makes the block check optional. |
PPF files can also carry a FILE_ID.DIZ description block, marked by @BEG, which some tools display as release notes.
Patching a BIN/CUE set
Patch the .bin file, not the .cue. The .cue is a small text file describing track layout and is not what the patch targets. If a game has multiple .bin tracks, the patch normally targets track 1.
Frequently asked questions
Do I patch the BIN or the CUE file?
The BIN. The CUE file is a plain-text index describing the disc tracks and contains none of the game data a patch modifies. Leave the CUE untouched.
Can a PPF patch change the size of my ISO?
No. PPF only overwrites bytes at existing offsets. The patched image is always exactly the same size as the original.
Why did my PPF patch apply but the game is broken?
PPF 1.0 performs no verification, so it applies to any image including the wrong one. Confirm your image matches the redump or hack author’s stated checksum before patching.