Even as the state of mobile gaming has grown, Android gamers have always had a backup plan: emulation. The Play Store has always made access to emulators very simple, with no shortage of options in every period of the console’s history. This is why Android has also become the default choice for all types of emulation handhelds, bringing retro gaming to dedicated devices at a surprisingly affordable price. But this week, emulation reached a whole new level of popularity online, and it has little to do with Android.
This week, iOS users saw the arrival of Delta, the first true emulator app to hit the App Store (after a few false starts earlier this week). Obviously the app is great. It supports a wide variety of classic Nintendo consoles, custom controller skins and is completely free. Delta is so popular, in fact, that it has been number one in the App Store rankings since its launch. Based on my Twitter feed, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was many people’s first encounter with emulation. Never.
Of course, this is nothing new on our favorite mobile platform, as I’ve seen many Android fans say in the comments of these social media posts. It’s no surprise that Apple detractors are quick to remind others of the long history of mobile retro gaming, but no matter how good Delta is at what it does, I’d still argue that Android is the best place to imitate older titles. Not only does the Play Store have a much wider selection of emulator apps – although I’m sure the iOS selection will continue to grow – but the form factor differences also make a huge difference. Just think about how great Nintendo DS games look, say, on foldable devices, compared to the rigid layout of an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The golden age of Nintendo emulators on Android is over
Nintendo emulators must now exercise caution
What really interests me is how often Android users actually emulate games on their devices. As anyone who has played with mobile emulation will tell you, virtual buttons really suck. Unless you’re willing to invest in a high-end gaming controller – say Razer’s Kishi line or the Backbone One – it’s generally not a worthwhile experience for very long. In fact, I’ve found that most games, with the exception of turn-based RPGs and visual novels, really don’t translate well to long sessions with virtual buttons.
So, do you use emulators on Android? I’m particularly curious if you use them often – if you played with mobile emulation a long time ago but haven’t played a game in a while, I’d say you’re decidedly in the “No” category. “. I also kept it multiple choice, in case you play on both your smartphone and a dedicated handheld. I imagine a lot of this emulation hype will die down over the next few weeks, but if you’re a die-hard fan, let us know with the poll below.