The Troubled History Behind AetherSX2 – and 3 Other Android Emulators You Can Try

In a gaming world where everyone seems obsessed with the next major release, sometimes it’s nice to just take a trip down memory lane.

Android emulators are a great way to do this, allowing us to play some of our nostalgic childhood favorites long after their developers have moved on to bigger and better things. Working in tandem with our Android browser, they are a popular part of the gaming world.

So, when the leading emulator AetherSX2 announced that it would stop providing updates for its popular products, many Android game fans were shocked. What’s behind this decision and how can we keep playing our favorite classics?

Why AetherSX2 stops updating

The appeal of AetherSX2 is easy to understand. At a time when gaming technology has evolved so much that even many online casino games look like cinematic masterpieces, AetherSX2 does an incredible job of bringing us back to our fondest childhood memories. Back then, things weren’t as hyper-realistic and impressive, but they were still a lot of fun.

This was the motivation behind a developer’s original idea to create an Android-based equivalent to the popular PCSX2 emulator: in fact, Tahlreth, the pseudonym of the developer, used the famous PCSX2 code to produce it under license.

The result was an astonishing success. Since its release in December 2021, AetherSX2 has wowed gamers with its amazing capabilities. Although best played on flagship phones with a Snapdragon 845 (or higher) level processor, it ushered quality gaming content on handheld devices into a new era.

So when Tahlreth announced that he would halt development of the emulator, the news was met with dismay by web gamers. The reason? An “endless” deluge of complaints, claims and even death threats from Internet users.

In a post on the AetherSX2 website, the developer made it clear, “AetherSX2 was always meant to be a fun, non-profit hobby for me,” they said. “It makes no sense to continue working on a hobby that is no longer fun. Thanks to everyone who hasn’t been ad*ck last year.

This leaves gamers with few viable Android alternatives to use in the future, especially for PS2 games. However, the following 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+ replicates an impressive replica of the SNES controller, with extra buttons and extra controls.

This emulator works so well thanks to the lower graphics requirements of SNES compared to other consoles. Lag is reduced and you can feel games flowing smoothly in a way reminiscent of the 90s console.

You also have the option to increase button sensitivity, which gives you extra control over on-screen events, but can be frustrating if you’re happy with the trigger.

GENPLUSdroid

Doing exactly what the name suggests, GENPLUSdroid brings Sega Genesis games to Android and makes them extremely compatible partners.

One major issue is making the Genesis controller suitable for a handheld device thanks to its array of buttons, but luckily you can fix that through the interface customization options.

Once that’s set, this emulator’s smooth performance is ideal for a touchscreen, and you may even forget you’re playing on an Android.

duck station

As a PlayStation emulator, DuckStation tries to match Aether’s performance but doesn’t quite live up to its high standards.

This is largely due to a slightly unresponsive feel while playing, which is caused by high control sensitivity that is very difficult to fix.

That said, this emulator has 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 handle the low-tech requirements of the PS1, which makes this emulator fun to use.

PPSSPP

The PSP may have only temporarily reached the heights of success, but it lives on in today’s Androids through this excellent emulator.

It makes sense that PSP games thrive in this format: after all, they were designed for handheld devices. But what the PPSSPP does well is get the input sensitivity just right, so you never feel like the game is slipping away from you.

The graphics are also another key feature of the PPSSPP, and you’ll soon think you’re holding a real PSP in your hands rather than your mobile or tablet.

One thing to watch out for is difficulty using the “shoulder” buttons and analog stick at the same time. There just isn’t an easy way to replicate this on an Android device, so this combo can lead to some awkward moments.

Overall, however, the PPSSPP proudly leads the PSP emulator market, and the Android gaming world is a better place for that.

February 06, 2023