Video Game Emulation and Emulators refers to process and tools by which smartphones can be made to play console games.

Smartphones are no longer just communication devices anymore. They are mini personal computers that can handle multimedia e.g. pictures, movies, games etc.

Speaking of games, smartphones can be made to play games that were originally designed for other platforms. These games can be run in their original forms via the use of video game emulation and emulators.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_5PmzlNYlk

What is Video Game Emulation?
In English, to means to copy or imitate. Therefore, emulation means making smartphones copy or behave as though they were a console. In order to do this, you’re going to need an emulator.

What is an Emulator?
In computing, an emulator is a piece of hardware and/or software that allows one computer (host) to behave like another (guest). This usually allows one computer to run software that’s meant for another computer.

There are several types of emulation and emulators but what we are interested in is Video Game Emulation and Emulators.

Video Game Emulation and Emulators for Smartphones

A video game emulator is a type of emulator that allows a smartphone to behave like a video game console. This means that one could play console games on their phone with the help of such emulators (both hardware and software).

Emulation is mostly done with software i.e apps but more often than not, you might need a controller. A controller is hardware and the app is software. This in my opinion offers the best emulation experience.

Whilst smartphones do have excellent games like eFootball 2024 mobile, PUBG Mobile, Brawl Stars, Call of Duty Mobile etc. These games cannot really compare to many console games.

Console emulation on smartphones is usually aimed at old 1980’s to the early 2000’s consoles. These include consoles such as the Sega Mega Drive 2, Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo 64 (N64), Playstation and Playstation 2 etc. Handhelds like the PlayStation Portable and the Gameboy for example, are also targeted.

This is because newer consoles are much too powerful to be emulated on smartphones. A lot of developers are still struggling to emulate the Playstation 3 on a PC with very little success. Then there is also the issue of copyrights, intellectual property and other stuff.

On the other hand, the hardware capabilities of modern phones trounce those of old consoles from 20, 25, 30 years ago. Plus most companies (that aren’t Nintendo) tend to overlook older consoles being emulated.

Emulators for smartphones

Some very popular emulators for Android and iOS include but are not limited to:

AetherSX2 (PlayStation 2)
Duckstation (Playstation 1)
https://www.nairaland.com/7713880/how-run-ps-1-games
PPSSPP (Playstation Portable)
RetroArch (NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy Advanced)
Dolphin (GameCube, Wii)
Redream (Sega Dreamcast)
ePSXe (Playstation 1)
FPSe (Playstation 1)
Yaba Sanshiro (Sega Saturn)
Skyline (Nintendo switch)
Amongst many others.

Benefits of emulation
1. Emulation brings with it many benefits like:
2. Nostalgia
3. Playing retro games
4. Convenience, portability and mobility
5. Entertainment
6. Access to a wide library of games
7. Keeps you offline
8. Saves your internet data

Android system requirements for emulation

For emulating 8-bit and 16-bit consoles like the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive 2) for example, you’ll need an entry level or budget phone with at least:
* 2GB RAM
* An SoC with 8 A55 or A53 CPUs like Helio G25, Helio G35, Snapdragon 439, Snapdragon 625, Unisoc SC9863A, T606 etc.
* 32-bit Android OS (7.0 and above)

For emulating 32-bit consoles like the PlayStation 1 and some 64-bit consoles like the Nintendo 64, you’ll need a lower midrange phone with at least:
* 4GB RAM
* An SoC with 8 CPUs total (4 A73 or 2 A75 CPUs) like the Snapdragon 680, 685, Helio G80, G85, G88, Dimensity 700, Unisoc T618 etc.
* 64-bit Android OS (8.0 and above)

In emulating 64-bit consoles like the PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo Switch etc. You’ll need an upper midrange, flagship killer or flagship phone with at least:
* 6GB RAM
* An SoC with 2 A76 CPUs for base performance, 4 A76, 2 A78, X1, X2 or X3 CPUs for even better performance. These include Snapdragon SoCs like SD732G, 778G, 780G, 855, SD8 Gen 1 and Gen 2. MediaTek SoCs like the Helio G99, Dimensity 820, 920, 8020, 8100, 9000 and 9200. Note that the higher the SoC, the better the emulator performance.
* 64-bit Android OS (10 and above)

Source: https://inquisitiveuniverse.com/2023/05/29/video-game-emulation-and-emulators/

You missed the PS VITA emulator it's still in early development and requires high-end soc for now but the game's that works play's flawlessly.

Ogbemuo:
You missed the PS VITA emulator it's still in early development and requires high-end soc for now but the game's that works play's flawlessly.

What's the name of the emulator sir?

atheistandproud:


What's the name of the emulator sir?

Vita3k

Ogbemuo:
Vita3k

Merci beaucoup

Ogbemuo:
Vita3k

I spent most of yesterday investigating this emulator and it works (image attached).

But it uses Sony's official firmware and that firmware blocks the use of unofficial ROMs. One would need a work dot bin file or a ZRF abi na ZLF key. I just tire.

One thing that's bothering me about mobile gaming is that current gen phone are a power house, take for instance the Qualcomm snapdragon 8 gen 2, is more powerful than the PlayStation 4 but yet we can't get AAA games on Android, like the Nvidia tegra X1 and K1 PS3 games where ported to it exclusively and it's a 2015 soc, yet it was able to play PS3 games perfectly, and current gen soc are more than 10x powerful than that soc. I just wonder why developer's ain't bringing AAA games to android.

Ogbemuo:
One thing that's bothering me about mobile gaming is that current gen phone are a power house, take for instance the Qualcomm snapdragon 8 gen 2, is more powerful than the PlayStation 4 but yet we can't get AAA games on Android, like the Nvidia tegra X1 and K1 PS3 games where ported to it exclusively and it's a 2015 soc, yet it was able to play PS3 games perfectly, and current gen soc are more than 10x powerful than that soc. I just wonder why developer's ain't bringing AAA games to android.

Three things

1. Profitability

2. Software optimization

3. Hardware optimization

atheistandproud:


Three things

1. Profitability

2. Software optimization

3. Hardware optimization

but you know the tegra X1 and K1 from 2015 PS3 games like, Resident Evil 5, Tomb Raider, Metal gear rising revengance, and so others were ported to the tablet using those soc exclusively, some person were able to make it run on other soc like snapdragon and Samsung Exynos processor using root to achieve it, and that soc was from 2015, which is a 8yrs old, why don't developer's just port old PS3 games to android, current gen android is capable of handling PS3 GAMES if developer's just port to it.

Ogbemuo:
but you know the tegra X1 and K1 from 2015 PS3 games like, Resident Evil 5, Tomb Raider, Metal gear rising revengance, and so others were ported to the tablet using those soc exclusively, some person were able to make it run on other soc like snapdragon and Samsung Exynos processor using root to achieve it, and that soc was from 2015, which is a 8yrs old, why don't developer's just port old PS3 games to android, current gen android is capable of handling PS3 GAMES if developer's just port to it.

How much can they make from it?

It's all about the money.

Most of the free ports available are usually made by hobbyists. For real devs to make ports like Rockstar did with GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas, then there's got to be serious money involved.

atheistandproud:


How much can they make from it?

It's all about the money.

Most of the free ports available are usually made by hobbyists. For real devs to make ports like Rockstar did with GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas, then there's got to be serious money involved.

That's true though, imagine those games on the play store are $15 each, how many person would want to she'll out that amount for a mobile game.

Ogbemuo:
That's true though, imagine those games on the play store are $15 each, how many person would want to she'll out that amount for a mobile game.

Exactly

Please let not be surprise if the game sell for let say 10-15 dollar people will buy it, there are lot of people who will prefer mobile gaming compare to buying gaming console.. For instance someone like me buy it especially if it can be connected to other player through Bluetooth and wifi, in my street alone i know more than 20 guys that will appreciate this and buy...
So make we no talk say people no go buy...

Most games on andriod are just gacha games, pay to win but i remember andriod had good games like modern combat 3,4 Spiderman. don't know what's wrong with developers now.

kannex:
Please let not be surprise if the game sell for let say 10-15 dollar people will buy it, there are lot of people who will prefer mobile gaming compare to buying gaming console.. For instance someone like me buy it especially if it can be connected to other player through Bluetooth and wifi, in my street alone i know more than 20 guys that will appreciate this and buy...
So make we no talk say people no go buy...

Only serious gamers that have money will buy. In this economy, how many average people do you think will part with $10 × 700 for a mobile game.

Some people may buy, majority will not, not here. Especially not when the port is of an inferior quality.

lexrichy:
Most games on andriod are just gacha games, pay to win but i remember andriod had good games like modern combat 3,4 Spiderman. don't know what's wrong with developers now.

Bless you.

It's this new money craze that is sweeping the world today. Money money money! It's why I play older games via emulation. No useless ads or prompts or targeted to get me to spend.

Bro i just want know where can i download ps2 pes 2022 or 2018 online do you have any download lunk for this game

na ps5 emulator I dey wait for now

atheistandproud:


Bless you.

It's this new money craze that is sweeping the world today. Money money money! It's why I play older games via emulation. No useless ads or prompts or targeted to get me to spend.

What mobile phone are you using to run those emulators

sunshineV:
na ps5 emulator I dey wait for now

We never see PS3 emulator for Android, talk much more of PS5, Funny enough current gen android can emulate PS3 but no developer has done it, the guy who even developed PS2 emulator AetherSX2 had to quit due to life threat from fan's

Ogbemuo:


What mobile phone are you using to run those emulators

Redmi Note 9 Pro

Snapdragon 720G
Adreno 618
6GB LPDDR4x RAM (1866MHz)
128GB UFS 2.1 storage


I wouldn't advice tho. If I get money, na something with at least Snapdragon 855 I go advice.

Check "Top 100 Smartphone SoCs" on Google to see SoCs around that range

Abeg make una answer me nar, please where can i download ps2 pes 2022 or 2018

Ogbemuo:


We never see PS3 emulator for Android, talk much more of PS5, Funny enough current gen android can emulate PS3 but no developer has done it, the guy who even developed PS2 emulator AetherSX2 had to quit due to life threat from fan's

ahhh wahala😂 I go wait taya

kannex:
Abeg make una answer me nar, please where can i download ps2 pes 2022 or 2018

Replied you on the appropriate thread. Check your mentions

atheistandproud:


Redmi Note 9 Pro

Snapdragon 720G
Adreno 618
6GB LPDDR4x RAM (1866MHz)
128GB UFS 2.1 storage


I wouldn't advice tho. If I get money, na something with at least Snapdragon 855 I go
advice.

Check "Top 100 Smartphone SoCs" on Google to see SoCs around that range

Good, I am also planning to buy MI 11 lite 5g , for proper gaming. I like playing emulator games than android games, on emulator there is nothing like pay to win .

Seyilome:


Good, I am also planning to buy MI 11 lite 5g , for proper gaming. I like playing emulator games than android games, on emulator there is nothing like pay to win .

Some ancient emulated games have better graphics and gameplay than most android games in the market now... And they're offline, and free!

atheistandproud:


Redmi Note 9 Pro

Snapdragon 720G
Adreno 618
6GB LPDDR4x RAM (1866MHz)
128GB UFS 2.1 storage


I wouldn't advice tho. If I get money, na something with at least Snapdragon 855 I go advice.

Check "Top 100 Smartphone SoCs" on Google to see SoCs around that range

That's a nice SOC am using a phone with Snapdragon 835 planning on updating to at least 888 or 8 gen 1, so i can properly run emulator at full speed.

wahalaO:


Some ancient emulated games have better graphics and gameplay than most android games in the market now... And they're offline, and free!

You actually right, I enjoy playing emulator games,they have good story lines and matured graphics,unlike android games with cartoonist graphics and rigid .

I don't emulate anything sony or Xbox


Just the classics like Atari , Sega Genesis and Nintendo

atheistandproud:


Bless you.

It's this new money craze that is sweeping the world today. Money money money! It's why I play older games via emulation. No useless ads or prompts or targeted to get me to spend.

Only if I can see a God of War Ascension or sekiro on that Vita emulator, too bad.

That GOW collection on the psvita must be absolutely boring

Am looking for a nice title with wonderful graphics and nice action gameplay on switch and Vita emulators

Can't even remember my Konami id, as I have stopped playing Android games and all those monitzed Android games, i don't know if FIFA 19 or 20 is available for psvita or switch

god of war ghost of sparter and chains of Olympus, i don play them tire on god mode hardest level back to back on PPSSPP

Android games don't freak anymore, the game's on the emulator's might be Old, but they are comforting and assuring

Abeg where i fit see pes 2022 ps2 game download abeg who get the link for where i fit download this game...

I'm all about retro games myself, and I recently fired up an emulator on my phone to dive into Mega Man 2. Speaking of Mega Man 2 boss order, getting that sequence right is like cracking a secret code to victory. Your breakdown of Android system requirements is spot-on. It's good to know what it takes to run those classic games smoothly. And you're right. The nostalgia and convenience of emulation are hard to beat. If you ever want to chat about gaming or need more tips on Mega Man 2 (or anything else retro), hit me up.