TECHWEEK
Contemporary smartphones possess the capability to effectively run PlayStation 2 and PSP games through emulators. Nevertheless, the quality of emulators varies significantly; some operate efficiently and reliably, while others may encounter compatibility challenges. This review will explore the top PS2 and PSP emulators available for Android, examining their features, advantages, and disadvantages, as well as testing a selection of popular games.
PlayStation 2 Emulators
AetherSX2
AetherSX2 is the most popular and high-quality PS2 emulator for Android. It is based on the PCSX2 code, but adapted for mobile devices.
Peculiarities:
- Vulkan and OpenGL support for better performance.
- Resolution scaling up to 4K.
- Support for gamepads and touch controls.
- Possibility to load saves.
Game tests:
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – stable 30–40 FPS on medium settings.
- God of War II – 25–35 FPS, possible drops in dynamic scenes.
- Shadow of the Colossus – 20–30 FPS, the game requires a powerful processor.
Pros:
✔ Good compatibility with games.
✔ Free and without ads.
✔ Settings to optimize performance on weak devices.
Cons:
✖ Development has been discontinued, there will be no more updates.
✖ Requires a powerful processor for stable operation.
DamonPS2
DamonPS2 is another PS2 emulator, but it has a mixed reputation. Although it shows high performance, many users criticize it for plagiarizing PCSX2 code.
Peculiarities:
- High emulation speed.
- Support for gamepads and cheat codes.
- Improved graphics thanks to filters.
Game tests:
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – 40–50 FPS, but artifacts are possible.
- God of War II – 30–45 FPS, but with rare crashes.
- Shadow of the Colossus – 25–35 FPS, but graphical bugs are noticeable.
Pros:
✔ Works faster than AetherSX2 on some devices.
✔ High frame rate support.
Cons:
✖ Closed source code, suspicions of technology theft.
✖ Lots of ads in the free version.
✖ Some features are only available for money.
PlayStation Portable Emulator
PPSSPP
PPSSPP is the best PSP emulator that works stably even on weak smartphones.
Peculiarities:
- Improved graphics with filters and high resolution.
- Support for saving and multiplayer.
- Possibility to speed up the game.
Game tests:
- God of War: Chains of Olympus – 50–60 FPS on medium devices.
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories – 45–60 FPS, occasional drops possible.
- Tekken 6 – stable 60 FPS with acceleration enabled.
Pros:
✔ Excellent performance.
✔ Free version without restrictions (there is a Gold version to support the developer).
✔ High compatibility with games.
Cons:
✖ Some games require configuration to work properly.
✖ Graphic artifacts are possible in complex games.
Conclusion
If you need a PS2 emulator, it is better to choose AetherSX2 – it is free and works stably. DamonPS2 is worth trying, but it has a dubious reputation. For PSP, the clear leader is PPSSPP , which copes with emulation perfectly.
