ARMSX2, a new emulator for playing PlayStation 2 (PS2) games on Android devices, has launched on the Google Play Store. The app is based on the PCSX2 emulator, offering users an enhanced gaming experience on ARM platforms.
Availability and Features
Unlike previous emulators requiring sideloading, ARMSX2 can be directly downloaded from the Play Store. It supports PS2 gaming using an x86-to-ARM64 translation layer, though this may affect performance on some devices. The app is free, requiring users only to supply their own PS2 BIOS and legally acquired game ROMs.
The emulator walks users through setting up a BIOS, selecting game storage, and importing files. Games like "Batman Begins," "God of War," and "Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix" have received "Perfect" compatibility ratings.
Performance and Development
While ARMSX2 shows promise, its performance currently lags behind older alternatives like AetherSX2 due to the demanding translation layer. However, developers are actively working on a native ARM implementation to improve efficiency. Each update reportedly enhances game performance and compatibility.
Being open source, ARMSX2 encourages collaboration and development from the gaming community. This positions the emulator to potentially match the performance and compatibility levels seen in PC-based emulators like PCSX2.
