Android handhelds could be completely changed thanks to a new app

❘ issued: 2024-02-21T11:27:05 ❘ Has been updated: 2024-02-21T11:27:15

Owners of Android handhelds may be pleased to know that retro gaming just got easier with the release of EmulationStation-DE on Android.

If you’re the owner of an Android handheld like Pimax Portal or Ayn Odin 2, you might be looking for a better way to manage and run retro emulators. Or maybe you have an Android smartphone and a Bluetooth controller and want to relive your childhood. Either way, you can now have it all thanks to the latest release of EmulationStation.

EmulationStation is one of the most popular emulation managers, especially powering all-in-one retro gaming setups like RetroPi. EmulationStation-DE is a “desktop” version, but the developer has released a new version specifically for his Android devices.

Retro games are now even more accessible

Unlike other versions of EmulationStation, the Android version is paid and must be accessed through the Amazon store, as Google has so far refused to add the app to the Play Store. However, the app costs just $5.39 and gives users access to a wide range of emulation engines, from his Atari 2600 to PlayStation Vita.

The developer says that this is a fairly early version at the moment, so there may be some bugs and issues. Users of Ayn Odin 2 in particular are affected by a known defect related to the way some specific emulators, such as Saturn.emu and DuckStation, handle directory files, but there is a workaround for this issue. Developers are working on a more permanent fix.

Other issues include slow startup times on some Android devices and issues with Android’s default on-screen keyboard. These small issues don’t detract from the results, and Android users can expect a smoother retro gaming experience.