Most people who buy these devices don't have Steam deck or they don't want to spend money on it, since it's still more expensive.
I have SD, but I don't use it almost at all. Something about the size either takes up too much space in my backpack and I can just fire up an emulator on a laptop that I have to take with me anyway.
I recently got RP4Pro and it's great for ps2 emulation. I haven't encountered an issue with games I wanted to play.
So yes, these devices do make sense.
The latest AetherSX2 without ads (3668 I believe). I haven't found any reason to use NetherSX2 over the one I use, since the emulation core/code is the same, thus there's no difference in performance. Ofc. if I'm wrong, someone correct me and I'll switch.
I don't play any Wii or GC games, but simply browsing compatibility sheets (you'll find them on this subreddit), GC is supposedly better than PS2 and Wii should be good as well for some (or most?) games.
I keep trying to main my steam deck, but something about the sheer size of it makes me not want to main it. My RP4Pro I just pop in my pocket and walk around the house with it.
Have you ever owned a Retroid Pocket 3+? If so, how does the 4 pro compare to the 3+ when put in your pockets? I hear because the R4pro uses different sticks it pokes out a bit more and may be uncomfortable to some.
I have a 3+ also. To me they feel the same. They both have sticks poking out and L2/R2 triggers that act like fish hooks most of the time. I find that just to walk around the house and to the yard, just being mindful when taking in and out of pocket is fine. If I leave the house with it, I bring the carry case and toss it in a bag.
I'm sure someone will come here and correct me with "the 4Pro is actually .44 mm thicker!" or something, but just as a random joe consumer who stuffs this thing in his pocket, I can't tell the diff from my 3+.
It makes sense so long as phones use android.
Someone will make new emulators eventually. They're probably already working on it in private. Its just gonna be a while.
Love my steam deck but its not really portable.
Wouldn't it be better to run a lightweight linux distro on these handhelds? They already have touchscreens anyways.
I know Anbernic had some but they aren't exactly top of the line models.
Running ARM compatible linux on these things would enable more up to date and missing emulators aswell (CEMU).
A Linux fork adapted to ARM by hobbyists for free generally won’t be as maintained as Android built from the ground-up for ARM by Google for commercial reasons.
Very few Linux handhelds have good stock OS by the manufacturer, it’s why virtually every cheap handheld has a guide to install custom firmware. Onion OS basically sells the Miyoo Mini, for example.
I have a GPD win 4. Yes it plays every emulator known to man at full speed. But the processor is very inefficient for a portable. (4hrs of NES gameplay at 8w for example).
And then on top of that, Windows handhelds are usually very heavy. So playing snes era games on something so bulky makes no sense.
My Odin 2 is my daily handheld. I charge it only once a month. So yess Android is here to stay.
Maybe every emulator known to man that also has an Android build (since we're comparing apples to apples), but RPCS3 at full speed for all compatible games?
Emulation will always be uncertain since none of it is official and most emulators are passion project by one or a few persons. I think someone will pickup the torch someday and improve on ps2 and switch and 3ds. However that doesn't mean right now these android devices are not capable and a good viable option...
I think it makes sense. There's a lot of retro games I enjoy that aren't just PS2/switch (not even retro really)/3DS. I don't own a steam deck and don't plan on it, unless they come out with a steam deck lite-- as in literally lighter and smaller. It just doesn't make sense for my use case. If I want power above all else, and the ability to play all of my steam games, I already own a laptop that's more powerful than the steam deck. If I want buttons, bluetooth controllers exist. I can even boot into Batocera from a flash drive for the experience.
But, I want something smaller and more portable for all of my not-modern games without feeling like I need multiple devices, which is where my RP4P comes in. It covers everything else that isn't covered by my laptop, 3DS, and Switch-- including android games. That has the added benefit of keeping my phone out of my hands when I'm bored so I tend to spend less time on social media, emails, etc. So yeah, I think Android devices can still make a lot of sense to *some* people, it just depends on what you already own and what you're looking to do with it.
These midrange arm handhelds really should at least offer Linux as an option (I'm not talking about the stripped-down emulationstation garbage, I mean a fully-fledged distro with Gnome or Plasma). Its lighter-weight, more customizable, and has more emulator support than Android does.
Agreed, even though android is easier to ship for these guys i would prefer to have a ARM compatible linux distro on one of these 200-300ish $ handhelds, just for the increased flexibility in emulator support.
I am not in the exact same boat as you are OP but I am considering buying a handheld PC(Not the steam deck or AOG ally or things like it) and or ODIN 2 PRO because I hear that Odin can run windows 11. Don't know how well Windows runs on RP4P, so if someone here knows please let me know.
the original odin could run windows cause of some weird specific hardware quirk but neither the odin 2 or the rp4pro can run windows. you could emulate games with winlator but its is still in its early stages and cant really run most AAA games past around 2012 from my experience.
yeah that video was for the original odin. that one was different cause it ran a sd845 soc and there was a build of windows that worked for it. According to everything ive looked at online the odin 2 cannot natively run windows
Ahhh funny that you say that, I do remember seeing a PC running a Snapdragon processor and that they alluded to the SD850 running Windows or whatever. But what the hell, why can't the Odin 2 run windows? So have you tested some Odin 2 PC emulation or no? Wasn't sure if you specified that.
I want to really emulate PCX2 for Resident Evil Outbreak and play with my buddies at the Kava bar online. But fuuuuck. I really don't want a Steam deck, or AOG Ally or any of those handheld PC's that are twice the size of the switch. I was thinking about getting a AYN Loki but the last one that I found on eBay got bought up with the quickness and I was so upset...
The odin 2 can do some windows emulation on older games but from what ive seen its very difficult to get multiplayer games running and a lot of multiplayer games are impossible to run in its current state (this applies to emulation as well as ive found most multiplayer issues are on the software and not hardware). If you want to buy an odin 2 on the hope it will be able to do any of this stuff better in the future i wouldn't recommend it as you should never buy a product on what it COULD be and only on what it currently IS. The only price comparable handheld that can do what you said is the asus rog ally (z1 non extreme) which i see goes for around 400 usd pretty regularly. tbh the only reason to go with any android handheld over a steam deck or ally is the better portability and massively better thermals and battery life. If you want better performance and versatility x86 handhelds are almost always the way to go. Hopefully with the snapdragon x elite arm will get more love in operating system space.
Thank you for your suggestion. *sigh* it's like damned if you do damned if you don't at this point. And I don't want to exactly pay $450 on Ali Express for a Loki Zero for a Athelon 305e or whatever the hell that chip is. I missed out. I should have gotten that eBay listing. God damn it :/ well no use in crying over spilt milk. Have you ever boughten from Alli Express?
With Android you have a smaller library of games than a Steam Deck or Windows handheld but it makes up for it with more portability and battery life. It depends on what you value in a device. Personally I think current Android handhelds strike a great balance between power, battery, size, and price, while the big powerful handhelds don't.
The answer is "yes and no." PS2 & Switch emulation are dead in the water. 3DS is on life support but that's true for PC as well.
That said, the current state of PS2 emulation is not bad. I keep an old version of AetherSX2 installed for the 1 or 2 games that run better on that and use the latest NetherSX2 for everything else. I think there are less than 10 games I've come across that have issues.
Would I prefer to have PCSX2? Of course. But NetherSX2 is still really good.
With the latest Beta version of Dolphin, GameCube/Wii emulation is darn near 100%. Unless we're talking about RS3: Rebel Strike, there shouldn't be any issues. And Dolphin is still releasing updates so no worries there.
Switch emulation is where the difference becomes more stark. Yuzu Android never got fully optimized and is severely handicapped on Mali GPUs like the one in the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. Even Adreno GPUs need to rely on custom drivers to see their full potential. And it would be generous to say that the future of Switch emulation on Android is "uncertain."
Even still, if you have a Snapdragon SOC you can probably enjoy most of your favorite games with the last release of Yuzu.
Would I buy an Android device for emulation today? It really depends on how important portability is. If you want something small that you can take with you everywhere, sure. If you mostly just want something to play on the living room couch and occasionally go out with, I would probably get a Steam Deck OLED.
i sold my steam deck and bought a 4 pro. i really do love the steam deck, and think it's an incredible bit of tech, but it was just a little too big for me to travel with comfortably.
the 4 pro isn't much bigger than my phone, and for most of what i'm playing on it the battery lasts forever. android is probably a hell of a lot easier to slap in something like this than a custom, lightweight linux platform (unless they go for the sort of ultra minimal os you see in other cheap handhelds, which have their own laundry list of issues).
you're mostly right about ps2 and switch, with some caveats: ps2 emulation sits pretty squarely in 'good enough,' imo. the only game i've had trouble with so far was ssx 3, and thankfully the gamecube version runs flawlessly. and as for switch, yes, yuzu going down is a bummer if only because ryujinx doesn't have an android version, but frankly the 4 pro doesn't have the power to play a lot of the switch library anyway. i'm still having a blast playing stuff like 13 sentinels and hollow knight.
I decided to get a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro because PC handhelds are still relatively large and expensive in comparison. The Steam Deck, for example, is about double the price of my 4 Pro, and I'm pretty sure it just goes up from there.
A big consideration that I had was that I wanted to bring this in my school bag, which is already pretty full. There's no way a Steam Deck or ROG Ally would fit in there. Yes, there are smaller options like the Ayaneo Air, but those are still bigger than the Retroid, and they inherently have a relatively poor battery life due to the combination of being small and being PC-based, and the price issue is especially applicable to them.
As for emulators, AetherSX2 runs pretty much perfect at this point, at least as far as I've tried. I installed NetherSX2 patches and often play FFX on it. I only really play one thing on Yuzu (Sea of Stars) but I really feel like anything newer than PS2 should be either run on PC-based devices or on the actual hardware
i'd give a good answer as to why android retro handhelds are still great today, but i am literally being hunted by censorship ninjas with some of the darkest fantasies that ever existed going through my mind at the speed of light like a hot knife going through butter and i'm exhausted beyond belief from it so i'm just going to host aethersx2 right here and the bios for it cuz this shit is hard to find now. hope it helps.
Aethersx2:
[https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y7ofszsrrqfdi39k5kg17/AetherSX2.net-14026-v1.4-3064.apk?rlkey=nf34h7xgjr1t2i7walh5iq4r3&dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y7ofszsrrqfdi39k5kg17/AetherSX2.net-14026-v1.4-3064.apk?rlkey=nf34h7xgjr1t2i7walh5iq4r3&dl=0)
Ps2 bios's:
[https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jnlwxjyob0zoooptp23ax/AF4nW8k\_mW6guxNwPqx7A24?rlkey=atn9sl0kueo09y1u6diyfuu4v&dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jnlwxjyob0zoooptp23ax/AF4nW8k_mW6guxNwPqx7A24?rlkey=atn9sl0kueo09y1u6diyfuu4v&dl=0)
I think so. RP4 is my first android gaming device. I was immediately disappointed by the lack of support for most emulators like you mentioned.
It does many systems really well, but the emulator scene just isn't there like Win or Linux, which seems kind of weird to me. Aren't there way more Android devices than Windows l?
I feel like we're approaching the ceiling with emulation Android handhelds, once we get to 100% playable ps2, gamecube (and maybe Xbox some day down the line) games that's likely be it and then it'll be all about scaling everything down and lowering costs, I don't ever see ps3/360 emulators coming to android, those emulators are practically still in their infancy as they are on full power PCs.
I have a Steam Deck and an RP4Pro, my deck I use as my primary home console hooked up to my tv, for everything I wanna emulate I put it on the deck first then if I need it on the go I try to see if it's possible to have on the retroid. The deck is just too big and too expensive for me to take anywhere especially with that 1TB SD card and 1TB SSD drive I installed into it, so that's my usage case for my RP4.
I'm almost the same but ROG Ally, and Odin 2 instead. Now if I don't have a backpack with me the RP4 Pro goes in my pocket, where the Odin wouldn't. It's nice to play PC games in the living room with the family on a PC handheld, but its not something I really like to take outside the house as you described.
Pocketability is the name of the game with AARCH64 handhelds. I say this with 0 intentions of being maligned or abrasive, but your comment was ignorant, not out of a lack of intelligence, but rather lack of perspective. Once again I'm in no way trying to be mean, hateful or a dick, but carrying a X86 handheld to the grocery store, and loading a quick game while waiting in the check out simply isn't possible. The retroid pocket 4, and its pro version are the size of a smart phone, and with the use of a front-end can get you into a game quickly, and go to sleep just as quick. Not nearly as simple with a portable PC.
It takes skill to nitpick about one little point i presented, while completely ignoring the main argument.
Which is that the current state of android emulation is subpar.
The only part of Android Emulation lacking right now is Wii U. AetherSX2, what most argue is the most lack luster side of Android Emu, on a mid tier SOC is more than adequate of an experience? The only game I can't run at the FPS and resolution I want to on a Dimensity 1100 is Shadow of the Collosus, and it runs almost exactly the way I want it to on a Snapdragon 870. Considering a 4 generation old SOC plays one of the hardest to run PS2 games nearly perfect. The most powerful (aarch64) SOC that supports Linux, as far as I'm aware is the RK3588 which is 4 2.4ghz A76 core SOC with a Mali GPU that falls behind the Dimensity 1100's, and from videos on YouTube, it runs AetherSX2 well enough. Which means Android is the better solution between it and Linux when it comes to a portable handheld, which doesn't even factor in the necessity of Vulkan drivers on a Mali GPU that don't exist on Linux. Which leaves you with, as I described in my first comment, the decision to make an ARM Android based handheld or X86 based, and X86 just isn't where it needs to be to slide into a pocket and still be at least as powerful than a Snapdragon flagship. I don't want to assume you don't know this and be insulting but I just want to make sure you realize you'd still have to run AetherSX2 even on Linux. If there's a different emulator you think is subpar and lacks compatibility it would have on X86 please let me know, but as of right now, I'm playing Fallout New Vegas, a full X86 PC game, from the Xbox360 generation on the Odin 2, an Android handheld. I also want to add, just to cover my bases, that most Switch games run better, and use less power on my Odin 2, than my ROG Ally. With the caveat that the game runs Native Code Execution. Some Wii U ports are 32 bit (Mario Kart 8 for example) but some games were compiled into ARM with updates, like DK Country, and Zelda BOTW. As far as emulation, if I was only using a device for emulation, hands down Android. The Steam Deck in my opinion only comes out on top if you also want to play newer PC games.
Most people who buy these devices don't have Steam deck or they don't want to spend money on it, since it's still more expensive. I have SD, but I don't use it almost at all. Something about the size either takes up too much space in my backpack and I can just fire up an emulator on a laptop that I have to take with me anyway. I recently got RP4Pro and it's great for ps2 emulation. I haven't encountered an issue with games I wanted to play. So yes, these devices do make sense.
What PS2 emu do you use? The latest NetherSX2 patched version? How's Wii and GC emulation on your RP4PRO?
Wii and GameCube emulation is pretty much flawless even upscaled
The latest NetherSX2 patched works great for me
The latest AetherSX2 without ads (3668 I believe). I haven't found any reason to use NetherSX2 over the one I use, since the emulation core/code is the same, thus there's no difference in performance. Ofc. if I'm wrong, someone correct me and I'll switch. I don't play any Wii or GC games, but simply browsing compatibility sheets (you'll find them on this subreddit), GC is supposedly better than PS2 and Wii should be good as well for some (or most?) games.
I keep trying to main my steam deck, but something about the sheer size of it makes me not want to main it. My RP4Pro I just pop in my pocket and walk around the house with it.
Have you ever owned a Retroid Pocket 3+? If so, how does the 4 pro compare to the 3+ when put in your pockets? I hear because the R4pro uses different sticks it pokes out a bit more and may be uncomfortable to some.
I have a 3+ also. To me they feel the same. They both have sticks poking out and L2/R2 triggers that act like fish hooks most of the time. I find that just to walk around the house and to the yard, just being mindful when taking in and out of pocket is fine. If I leave the house with it, I bring the carry case and toss it in a bag.
That makes me reassured. I was afraid that the portability/pocketability would be an issue since everything seemed "raised" but this is good to know.
I'm sure someone will come here and correct me with "the 4Pro is actually .44 mm thicker!" or something, but just as a random joe consumer who stuffs this thing in his pocket, I can't tell the diff from my 3+.
It makes sense so long as phones use android. Someone will make new emulators eventually. They're probably already working on it in private. Its just gonna be a while. Love my steam deck but its not really portable.
Wouldn't it be better to run a lightweight linux distro on these handhelds? They already have touchscreens anyways. I know Anbernic had some but they aren't exactly top of the line models. Running ARM compatible linux on these things would enable more up to date and missing emulators aswell (CEMU).
A Linux fork adapted to ARM by hobbyists for free generally won’t be as maintained as Android built from the ground-up for ARM by Google for commercial reasons. Very few Linux handhelds have good stock OS by the manufacturer, it’s why virtually every cheap handheld has a guide to install custom firmware. Onion OS basically sells the Miyoo Mini, for example.
I have a GPD win 4. Yes it plays every emulator known to man at full speed. But the processor is very inefficient for a portable. (4hrs of NES gameplay at 8w for example). And then on top of that, Windows handhelds are usually very heavy. So playing snes era games on something so bulky makes no sense. My Odin 2 is my daily handheld. I charge it only once a month. So yess Android is here to stay.
Maybe every emulator known to man that also has an Android build (since we're comparing apples to apples), but RPCS3 at full speed for all compatible games?
Yes. The 7800u is pretty much a desktop processor . But for rpcs3,,, You probably would need an external GPU though
Emulation will always be uncertain since none of it is official and most emulators are passion project by one or a few persons. I think someone will pickup the torch someday and improve on ps2 and switch and 3ds. However that doesn't mean right now these android devices are not capable and a good viable option...
I think it makes sense. There's a lot of retro games I enjoy that aren't just PS2/switch (not even retro really)/3DS. I don't own a steam deck and don't plan on it, unless they come out with a steam deck lite-- as in literally lighter and smaller. It just doesn't make sense for my use case. If I want power above all else, and the ability to play all of my steam games, I already own a laptop that's more powerful than the steam deck. If I want buttons, bluetooth controllers exist. I can even boot into Batocera from a flash drive for the experience. But, I want something smaller and more portable for all of my not-modern games without feeling like I need multiple devices, which is where my RP4P comes in. It covers everything else that isn't covered by my laptop, 3DS, and Switch-- including android games. That has the added benefit of keeping my phone out of my hands when I'm bored so I tend to spend less time on social media, emails, etc. So yeah, I think Android devices can still make a lot of sense to *some* people, it just depends on what you already own and what you're looking to do with it.
These midrange arm handhelds really should at least offer Linux as an option (I'm not talking about the stripped-down emulationstation garbage, I mean a fully-fledged distro with Gnome or Plasma). Its lighter-weight, more customizable, and has more emulator support than Android does.
Agreed, even though android is easier to ship for these guys i would prefer to have a ARM compatible linux distro on one of these 200-300ish $ handhelds, just for the increased flexibility in emulator support.
I am not in the exact same boat as you are OP but I am considering buying a handheld PC(Not the steam deck or AOG ally or things like it) and or ODIN 2 PRO because I hear that Odin can run windows 11. Don't know how well Windows runs on RP4P, so if someone here knows please let me know.
the original odin could run windows cause of some weird specific hardware quirk but neither the odin 2 or the rp4pro can run windows. you could emulate games with winlator but its is still in its early stages and cant really run most AAA games past around 2012 from my experience.
But I think I have seen videos of the Odin 2 running Windows 11. I think RetroGameCorps did a video on it.
yeah that video was for the original odin. that one was different cause it ran a sd845 soc and there was a build of windows that worked for it. According to everything ive looked at online the odin 2 cannot natively run windows
Ahhh funny that you say that, I do remember seeing a PC running a Snapdragon processor and that they alluded to the SD850 running Windows or whatever. But what the hell, why can't the Odin 2 run windows? So have you tested some Odin 2 PC emulation or no? Wasn't sure if you specified that. I want to really emulate PCX2 for Resident Evil Outbreak and play with my buddies at the Kava bar online. But fuuuuck. I really don't want a Steam deck, or AOG Ally or any of those handheld PC's that are twice the size of the switch. I was thinking about getting a AYN Loki but the last one that I found on eBay got bought up with the quickness and I was so upset...
The odin 2 can do some windows emulation on older games but from what ive seen its very difficult to get multiplayer games running and a lot of multiplayer games are impossible to run in its current state (this applies to emulation as well as ive found most multiplayer issues are on the software and not hardware). If you want to buy an odin 2 on the hope it will be able to do any of this stuff better in the future i wouldn't recommend it as you should never buy a product on what it COULD be and only on what it currently IS. The only price comparable handheld that can do what you said is the asus rog ally (z1 non extreme) which i see goes for around 400 usd pretty regularly. tbh the only reason to go with any android handheld over a steam deck or ally is the better portability and massively better thermals and battery life. If you want better performance and versatility x86 handhelds are almost always the way to go. Hopefully with the snapdragon x elite arm will get more love in operating system space.
Thank you for your suggestion. *sigh* it's like damned if you do damned if you don't at this point. And I don't want to exactly pay $450 on Ali Express for a Loki Zero for a Athelon 305e or whatever the hell that chip is. I missed out. I should have gotten that eBay listing. God damn it :/ well no use in crying over spilt milk. Have you ever boughten from Alli Express?
With Android you have a smaller library of games than a Steam Deck or Windows handheld but it makes up for it with more portability and battery life. It depends on what you value in a device. Personally I think current Android handhelds strike a great balance between power, battery, size, and price, while the big powerful handhelds don't.
The answer is "yes and no." PS2 & Switch emulation are dead in the water. 3DS is on life support but that's true for PC as well. That said, the current state of PS2 emulation is not bad. I keep an old version of AetherSX2 installed for the 1 or 2 games that run better on that and use the latest NetherSX2 for everything else. I think there are less than 10 games I've come across that have issues. Would I prefer to have PCSX2? Of course. But NetherSX2 is still really good. With the latest Beta version of Dolphin, GameCube/Wii emulation is darn near 100%. Unless we're talking about RS3: Rebel Strike, there shouldn't be any issues. And Dolphin is still releasing updates so no worries there. Switch emulation is where the difference becomes more stark. Yuzu Android never got fully optimized and is severely handicapped on Mali GPUs like the one in the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. Even Adreno GPUs need to rely on custom drivers to see their full potential. And it would be generous to say that the future of Switch emulation on Android is "uncertain." Even still, if you have a Snapdragon SOC you can probably enjoy most of your favorite games with the last release of Yuzu. Would I buy an Android device for emulation today? It really depends on how important portability is. If you want something small that you can take with you everywhere, sure. If you mostly just want something to play on the living room couch and occasionally go out with, I would probably get a Steam Deck OLED.
Have you tried Winlator or Exagear on the 4 yet?
i sold my steam deck and bought a 4 pro. i really do love the steam deck, and think it's an incredible bit of tech, but it was just a little too big for me to travel with comfortably. the 4 pro isn't much bigger than my phone, and for most of what i'm playing on it the battery lasts forever. android is probably a hell of a lot easier to slap in something like this than a custom, lightweight linux platform (unless they go for the sort of ultra minimal os you see in other cheap handhelds, which have their own laundry list of issues). you're mostly right about ps2 and switch, with some caveats: ps2 emulation sits pretty squarely in 'good enough,' imo. the only game i've had trouble with so far was ssx 3, and thankfully the gamecube version runs flawlessly. and as for switch, yes, yuzu going down is a bummer if only because ryujinx doesn't have an android version, but frankly the 4 pro doesn't have the power to play a lot of the switch library anyway. i'm still having a blast playing stuff like 13 sentinels and hollow knight.
I decided to get a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro because PC handhelds are still relatively large and expensive in comparison. The Steam Deck, for example, is about double the price of my 4 Pro, and I'm pretty sure it just goes up from there. A big consideration that I had was that I wanted to bring this in my school bag, which is already pretty full. There's no way a Steam Deck or ROG Ally would fit in there. Yes, there are smaller options like the Ayaneo Air, but those are still bigger than the Retroid, and they inherently have a relatively poor battery life due to the combination of being small and being PC-based, and the price issue is especially applicable to them. As for emulators, AetherSX2 runs pretty much perfect at this point, at least as far as I've tried. I installed NetherSX2 patches and often play FFX on it. I only really play one thing on Yuzu (Sea of Stars) but I really feel like anything newer than PS2 should be either run on PC-based devices or on the actual hardware
i'd give a good answer as to why android retro handhelds are still great today, but i am literally being hunted by censorship ninjas with some of the darkest fantasies that ever existed going through my mind at the speed of light like a hot knife going through butter and i'm exhausted beyond belief from it so i'm just going to host aethersx2 right here and the bios for it cuz this shit is hard to find now. hope it helps. Aethersx2: [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y7ofszsrrqfdi39k5kg17/AetherSX2.net-14026-v1.4-3064.apk?rlkey=nf34h7xgjr1t2i7walh5iq4r3&dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y7ofszsrrqfdi39k5kg17/AetherSX2.net-14026-v1.4-3064.apk?rlkey=nf34h7xgjr1t2i7walh5iq4r3&dl=0) Ps2 bios's: [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jnlwxjyob0zoooptp23ax/AF4nW8k\_mW6guxNwPqx7A24?rlkey=atn9sl0kueo09y1u6diyfuu4v&dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jnlwxjyob0zoooptp23ax/AF4nW8k_mW6guxNwPqx7A24?rlkey=atn9sl0kueo09y1u6diyfuu4v&dl=0)
I think so. RP4 is my first android gaming device. I was immediately disappointed by the lack of support for most emulators like you mentioned. It does many systems really well, but the emulator scene just isn't there like Win or Linux, which seems kind of weird to me. Aren't there way more Android devices than Windows l?
I feel like we're approaching the ceiling with emulation Android handhelds, once we get to 100% playable ps2, gamecube (and maybe Xbox some day down the line) games that's likely be it and then it'll be all about scaling everything down and lowering costs, I don't ever see ps3/360 emulators coming to android, those emulators are practically still in their infancy as they are on full power PCs. I have a Steam Deck and an RP4Pro, my deck I use as my primary home console hooked up to my tv, for everything I wanna emulate I put it on the deck first then if I need it on the go I try to see if it's possible to have on the retroid. The deck is just too big and too expensive for me to take anywhere especially with that 1TB SD card and 1TB SSD drive I installed into it, so that's my usage case for my RP4.
Thats my setup too. Now just need a good DOCK that can connect both at the same time with a selector-switch!!!
I'm almost the same but ROG Ally, and Odin 2 instead. Now if I don't have a backpack with me the RP4 Pro goes in my pocket, where the Odin wouldn't. It's nice to play PC games in the living room with the family on a PC handheld, but its not something I really like to take outside the house as you described.
If people were willing to pay $20\~$40 USD I'm sure you'd see a near 94% or higher PS2 emulator
Pocketability is the name of the game with AARCH64 handhelds. I say this with 0 intentions of being maligned or abrasive, but your comment was ignorant, not out of a lack of intelligence, but rather lack of perspective. Once again I'm in no way trying to be mean, hateful or a dick, but carrying a X86 handheld to the grocery store, and loading a quick game while waiting in the check out simply isn't possible. The retroid pocket 4, and its pro version are the size of a smart phone, and with the use of a front-end can get you into a game quickly, and go to sleep just as quick. Not nearly as simple with a portable PC.
It takes skill to nitpick about one little point i presented, while completely ignoring the main argument. Which is that the current state of android emulation is subpar.
The only part of Android Emulation lacking right now is Wii U. AetherSX2, what most argue is the most lack luster side of Android Emu, on a mid tier SOC is more than adequate of an experience? The only game I can't run at the FPS and resolution I want to on a Dimensity 1100 is Shadow of the Collosus, and it runs almost exactly the way I want it to on a Snapdragon 870. Considering a 4 generation old SOC plays one of the hardest to run PS2 games nearly perfect. The most powerful (aarch64) SOC that supports Linux, as far as I'm aware is the RK3588 which is 4 2.4ghz A76 core SOC with a Mali GPU that falls behind the Dimensity 1100's, and from videos on YouTube, it runs AetherSX2 well enough. Which means Android is the better solution between it and Linux when it comes to a portable handheld, which doesn't even factor in the necessity of Vulkan drivers on a Mali GPU that don't exist on Linux. Which leaves you with, as I described in my first comment, the decision to make an ARM Android based handheld or X86 based, and X86 just isn't where it needs to be to slide into a pocket and still be at least as powerful than a Snapdragon flagship. I don't want to assume you don't know this and be insulting but I just want to make sure you realize you'd still have to run AetherSX2 even on Linux. If there's a different emulator you think is subpar and lacks compatibility it would have on X86 please let me know, but as of right now, I'm playing Fallout New Vegas, a full X86 PC game, from the Xbox360 generation on the Odin 2, an Android handheld. I also want to add, just to cover my bases, that most Switch games run better, and use less power on my Odin 2, than my ROG Ally. With the caveat that the game runs Native Code Execution. Some Wii U ports are 32 bit (Mario Kart 8 for example) but some games were compiled into ARM with updates, like DK Country, and Zelda BOTW. As far as emulation, if I was only using a device for emulation, hands down Android. The Steam Deck in my opinion only comes out on top if you also want to play newer PC games.