In a gaming world where everyone seems to be obsessed with the next major release, sometimes it’s nice to just take a trip down memory lane.
Android emulators are a superb way of doing this, letting us play some of our nostalgic childhood favorites long after their developers have moved on to bigger and better things. Functioning in tandem with our Android browser, they’re a popular part of the gaming world.
So, when leading emulator AetherSX2 announced that it would cease providing updates to its popular products, many Android gaming fans were shocked. What’s behind this decision, and how can we continue to play our favorite classics?
Why AetherSX2 is stopping its updates
The appeal of AetherSX2 is easy to understand. In an era where gaming technology has evolved so much that even many online casino games look like cinematic masterpieces, AetherSX2 does an amazing job of transporting us back to our best childhood memories. Back then, things weren’t as hyper-realistic and impressive, but they were still a lot of fun.
This served as the motivation behind one developer’s brainchild of creating an Android-based equivalent to the popular PCSX2 emulator: in fact, Tahlreth, the developer’s handle, used the famous PCSX2 code to produce it under license.
The result has been an astounding success. Since its release in December 2021, AetherSX2 has wowed gamers with its stunning capabilities. Although best played on flagship phones with a Snapdragon 845-level processor (or better), it’s brought quality gaming content on handheld devices into a new era.
So, when Tahlreth announced they would halt development on the emulator, the news was met with dismay from gamers across the web. The reason? A “never-ending” barrage of complaints, demands, and even death threats from internet users.
In a post on the AetherSX2 website, the developer made their point clear: “AetherSX2 was always meant to be a fun hobby for me, not profit driven,” they said. “It doesn’t make sense to continue working on a hobby which isn’t fun anymore. Thanks to everyone who wasn’t a d*ck for the last year.”
It leaves gamers with few viable Android alternatives to use in the future, particularly for PS2 games. However, the next section will explore the best ones to choose from when it comes to running classic video games.
Snes9X EX+
Fans of classic SNES games need look no further: Snes9 EX+ reproduces an impressive replica of the SNES controller, complete with additional buttons and extra commands.
This emulator works so well thanks to the lower graphic demands of SNES compared to other consoles. Lagging is reduced, and you can feel games tick along smoothly in a way that’s reminiscent of the 90s console.
You also have the option of increasing button sensitivity, which gives you added control over on-screen events but can be frustrating if you’re trigger-happy.
GENPLUSdroid
Doing exactly what its name suggests, GENPLUSdroid introduces Sega Genesis games to Android and makes them extremely compatible partners indeed.
One major issue is adapting the Genesis controller to a handheld device thanks to its array of buttons, but thankfully you can fix this issue via interface customization options.
Once that’s settled then this emulator’s smooth performance is ideal for a touchscreen, and you may even forget you’re playing on an Android.
DuckStation
As a fellow PlayStation emulator, DuckStation tries to match Aether’s performance but doesn’t quite match up to its high standards.
This is largely down to a slightly unresponsive feel as you play, which is caused by a high control sensitivity that’s very difficult to fix.
That said, this emulator boasts an excellent collection of settings where you can choose to use either a classic PS D-pad controller, or one or two analog sticks.
The software can easily deal with the PS1’s low-tech demands, making this emulator a joy to use.
PPSSPP
The PSP may have only hit the heights of success temporarily, but it lives on in present-day Androids via this excellent emulator.
It makes sense that PSP games thrive in this format: they were designed for handheld devices, after all. But what the PPSSPP does well is get the input sensitivity just right, so that you never feel like the game’s sliding out of your grasp.
Graphics, too, is another key feature of the PPSSPP, and you’ll soon think you’re holding an actual PSP in your hands rather than your mobile or tablet.
One thing to look out for is a difficulty in using the ‘shoulder’ buttons and analog stick at the same time. There’s simply no easy way to replicate this on an Android device, so this combo can result in some tricky moments.
All in all, though, the PPSSPP proudly leads the PSP emulator market, and the Android gaming world is a better place for it.