The best game emulators on Android to play treasured classics

Gaming on the go has never been more accessible, thanks to emulators that allow you to play classic console and arcade games on your Android device. Whether you owned an NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, or another system, today’s emulators can return those fond memories with smooth performance. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane! Sure, there are some fantastic modern Android games available, but can you really pass up the opportunity to play old-school favorites like Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog, Street Fighter, Chrono Trigger, or GoldenEye 007?

In this roundup, we’re showcasing the best emulators to satisfy your retro gaming needs. These emulators excel at performance, customization, and ease of use, accurately simulating your nostalgic gaming experiences. So get ready to feel like a kid again as you play all your classic favorites on your phone or tablet!

1 AetherSX2

The PS2 in your pocket

Now this shows how far we’ve come. AetherSX2 is designed to emulate PlayStation 2 games on Android devices, with a touchscreen interface mimicking a PS2 controller. The emulator provides extensive controller mapping options and quality-of-life settings for tailoring your experience. The default control layout does omit the ‘R3’ and ‘L3’ buttons, but these can be easily re-inserted in the controller settings. Games will slow down or stutter if the graphical requirements become too high, but this varies from game to game and depends largely on the power of your device.

AetherSX2 also includes on-screen shortcuts for quick save and load functions and a toggle function for game speed. While customization settings are less extensive than some PC emulators, the app keeps pace with its contemporaries in terms of accommodating personal preferences. So jump in and enjoy the PS2’s famously huge game library. AetherSX2 runs an excellent experience.

2 Retroarch

An open-source emulation powerhouse

RetroArch

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

Yes

App Publisher

Libretro

Categories

Action

Publish date

January 2, 2014

RetroArch is an emulation app that styles itself as an all-in-one hub for all your emulation needs but with emulation apps themselves. The app requires you to download “cores,” existing emulators. The emulations work fine and run games smoothly. The problems come up in the options, more specifically, the excess of them.

RetroArch has a lot of options and settings, which can be very off-putting when you’re green to the idea of game emulation. That and the default touch controller has far too many buttons, which can be edited, but this process takes time. The app serves its purpose well enough, and if you want your emulation software all behind one icon, RetroArch is worth a look.

3 My Boy!

Relive the Gameboy Advance

My Boy!

Price

$4 .99

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

Yes

App Publisher

Fast Emulator

Categories

Arcade

Publish date

August 12, 2012

MyBoy! is an emulator that offers both a free and premium version — some settings are behind a paywall. However, both versions offer an exemplary Game Boy Advance emulation service. Settings are extensive and perfect for customization. The default touchscreen controls are spot-on for GBA gameplay, with ample options to mix and match them as you please. Games run smoothly, with very few bugs or crashes — an upgrade even from the original handheld.

As a nostalgic fan of the original Game Boy Advance, I have a predisposition to be overly critical of apps attempting to emulate its games, but MyBoy! is a personal favorite. The app really shows off how far mobile technology has come with its legitimate improvements to the original experience. MyBoy! is definitely worth the reasonable price to enjoy some stability on your nostalgia trip.

4 Dolphin

Dolphin

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

Yes

App Publisher

Dolphin Emulator

Categories

Arcade

Publish date

March 5, 2013

One for the GameCube and Wii lovers

Dolphin is the best choice for mobile emulation of GameCube and Wii games. The GameCube interface is superb, accurately converting the iconic controller’s design to a touchscreen interface. Graphically, some games suffer from the smaller screen, appearing fuzzy or shaky, but this issue is inconsistent. In addition to running games exceptionally well, Dolphin does not require external bios, meaning less prep time before play.

The touch interface for Wii game emulation is equally authentic to the original. However, game selection is limited to titles not built around motion controls, as Dolphin has no motion control features. Games that require little or no motion controls can be played normally. Dolphin is definitely a great option for fans of Nintendo’s sixth and seventh-generation consoles.

5 John GBC

Enjoy the Game Boy Color classics

John GBC

Price

$2 .99

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

Yes

App Publisher

John emulators

Categories

Arcade

Publish date

June 2, 2011

Talk about beauty in simplicity — John GBC emulates games made for the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color. Settings are on the same quality level as My Boy!, so the ergonomics are far beyond what the original handhelds offered. Controller options and speed-up functions give players more freedom to personalize their experience. These features can even circumvent slow or tedious processes and sequences in games. The fast-forward feature makes loading screens, extended cutscenes, and grinding for levels easier.

The Game Boy Color was notable for its backward compatibility with the original GameBoy, so it’s fitting that this app is capable of running games designed for both. Simple, uncomplicated, and high quality, John GBC is perfect for reliving the past.

6 Lemuroid

Your portal to gaming history

Lemuroid

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

Yes

App Publisher

Filippo Scognamiglio

Categories

Arcade

Publish date

January 21, 2020

A nifty app for the organization-obsessed, Lemuroid is an emulator that boasts a long list of supported retro game platforms and delivers on every single one. Lemuroid presents an interface similar to a gaming console, with thumbnails assigned to their respective games. This interface is achieved by placing the desired game files into a single folder, allowing the app to display them in one place.

The app does support an impressive library of consoles, from the Atari 2600 to the Nintendo 3DS, and they all run perfectly well, with little to no slowdown. Lemuroid has satisfactory customization settings and options; the only drawback is the tedious task of moving all the necessary files into a single place. But if you prefer to have all your games in a single app, Lemuroid is a great choice.

7 redream

A quality Dreamcast emulator

redream

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

Yes

App Publisher

Recompiled LLC

Categories

Entertainment

Publish date

May 19, 2019

A well-designed app for what it sets out to do, redream is an HD Sega Dreamcast emulator capable of running surprisingly large game files on your phone with little to no frame rate issues or texture problems. The interface deserves props for its simplicity, making it easy and approachable for newcomers to access and rearrange their files within the app.

Games are run in HD quality without any slowdown or skipping, and the app supports the best Android controllers just in case you want the definitive Dreamcast experience. Take a look if you’re in a memory lane mood and you’ve got a nostalgic soft spot for the Dreamcast.

8 melonDS

Fire up your DS on Android

melonDS

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

No

App Publisher

Rafael V. Caetano

Categories

Entertainment

Publish date

December 25, 2020

With the melonDS emulator, you can play games from the popular handheld Nintendo DS console on your Android device. Just as the Nintendo DS had two screens, you’ll also see two screens on your device when playing games; everything works well and is displayed beautifully. Some users have complained that the in-game button placement on their device is incorrect and that they must tap above the button for it to register; however, I had no problems with my Galaxy S22 Ultra. Just keep in mind that if your device has an odd aspect ratio, things could be a little off.

The melonDS emulator offers a huge variety of settings, such as customizable screen placement and size, support for external and Bluetooth controllers, save states, and fast forwarding to increase emulation speed. Sadly, Wi-Fi/multiplayer emulation isn’t supported at this time. The app is free and open-source, supporting tons of smaller tweaks for making a genuine DS experience work on your Android device. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance emulator that runs DS games beautifully, I wouldn’t pass on this one.

9 DuckStation

PS1 game never looked better on your phone

DuckStation

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

Yes

App Publisher

Stenzek

Categories

Arcade

Publish date

September 13, 2020

DuckStation is a PlayStation 1 emulator that offers high compatibility, good speed, and accurate sound for running classic PS1 titles. The emulator supports a virtual touchscreen pad, hardware button mapping, HD-enhanced graphics, cheat codes, and save states. You can select the classic PS controller with only the D-pad or an interface with either one or two analog sticks. This emulator does not provide its own BIOS image, so you’ll have to bring your own.

In the Preferences settings, you can personalize various aspects like the BIOS, CPU, display, video and audio quality, controls, memory cards, user interface, and storage. With tons of options available, it’s worth taking the time to explore each section. For example, you can show the FPS on your screen, boost the CPU speed, adjust the screen ratio, and customize the touch interface to your exact preferences. DuckStation can support up to eight controllers at once, with options to remap button inputs and even incorporate controller vibration. If you’re in the mood for reliving some great memories and want to avoid the hassle of finding an original Playstation, DuckStation is your best bet.

10 Snes9xEX+

Experience a legendary console

Snes9xEX+

In-app purchases

None

ChromeOS support

Yes

App Publisher

Robert Broglia

Categories

Arcade

Publish date

January 11, 2013

Get used to these kinds of titles. One of the more popular consoles for emulation, due to its library of beloved games, Snes9x EX+ runs SNES games on Android. The software provides a fairly well-constructed replica of the SNES controller, with additional buttons and commands available. Since the SNES is far less graphically demanding than other consoles, games face minimal slowdown or skipping.

The default screen controls do feel slightly loose, but you can fix this issue in the options by increasing button sensitivity. Snes9x EX+ recreates the SNES experience anywhere, easily on par with the original console in terms of frame rate and stability, all from the comfort of your Android device.

Explore gaming history in your hands with the best emulators on Android

With so many excellent emulators available on Android, there’s no reason not to relive the magic of your childhood. Whether you want to replay timeless favorites or discover new retro games that you never got a chance to try, these emulators deserve a spot in your app drawer. They bring back the adventures of gaming’s early days with modern enhancements. With options tailored to specific consoles or versatile all-in-one emulators, there’s something for everyone.

Have you discovered the ideal emulators on Android to fulfill your classic gaming desires? If so, which ones are your go-tos? Let us know your favorites in the comments!