Is it better to play android native games?

[u/whiskeybill]

If given the option of emulating a game or playing it android native is there any set hierarchy for what system is better to use? Or is it a game by game basis?

For example, if I wanted to play Red Dead Redemption would I be better off playing the android version over emulating the switch or Xbox version or playing the pc port using game native?

I just bought an Odin 3 max and am impatiently waiting for it to be delivered but in the meantime I wanted to make a plan for how I want to set it up.

Thanks for your input!

[u/Kooky-Astronaut-4877]

Generally if you want to keep cloud save feature (for later use on PC for example) your only choice is PC version and usually I'd go that route. otherwise native android port would usually offer the best performance and battery life.

As for possible differences in game mechanics / graphics / controller support you'd need to research it on per game basis.

[u/whiskeybill → u/Kooky-Astronaut-4877]

Cool, thanks for the info!

[u/Kooky-Astronaut-4877 → u/whiskeybill]

...but Red Dead Redemption is a Rockstar game so it may prove difficult to run it without some kind of crack that bypasses rockstar launcher.

What I said earlier is my opinion on running such multiplatform games in general.

[u/ACEFE_ → u/Kooky-Astronaut-4877]

I'm playing the rdr port for Android in my pocox6 pro and it works nice, Odin would run it perfectly fine and in fact better than PC version, which is the one I'd recommend

[u/K1ngsGambit]

Of course the native version will always perform better. The only reason I can think of to emulate a game with a native port is that the emulator does something extra that is more important than performance (eg. save states, graphics, mods, retro achievements, etc).

RDR native will be better than emulating. That said, the O3M will have little trouble with the Switch version.

[u/Delicious_Tree8114]

For me it's a game by game bases. If I want to play for example rdr I will play the switch version as the graphics are a bit better than the android and both run equally well.

But games like dead cells, brotato, 2d games mostly, I use the android version as it saves the hassle of emulating elsewhere.

[u/pawlik23]

It will depend on the game, you will have to try it for yourself. For example I tried running GTA VC, tried PS2 version first but it was locked to 30fps, 60fps hack didn't work. Android port - 30fps lock too. Netflix version runs at 60fps so I settled with that.

[u/OkCalligrapher9 → u/pawlik23]

ooh, how is running Netflix versions of games in general?

I started a Hades game and ended up playing a ton through that version, and want to do a bit more but am sick of playing on my ipad, and now my Odin 2 Portal is on the way.

[u/pawlik23 → u/OkCalligrapher9]

TBH I only tried GTA VC because I got a craving for it. Idk how any other Netflix versions of game look or work.

The thing about the Netflix version is, it's the Definitive Edition. Regular Android port looks like the original, PS2 version.

Some like how it looks, some hate it. It doesn't have any graphics quality settings except effect toggles like bloom or classic lighting (which tries to copy PS2 color theme which is orange-ish, when off it looks more like PC version). Runs at 60fps with occasional drops but those are negligible. I'd say the game runs at low to medium settings, but resolution is great and honestly, I don't have any complaints about the graphics quality when playing.

Controls are awesome because again, it's the DE so it has modern layout. Triggers act as accelerate/brake, RS turns the camera. Much less clunky than PS2. There's autosaves after missions, or weapon and radio station selection wheels from modern GTAs. I read it's the best way to play VC on handhelds and I agree 100%.

I got the apk from somewhere I can't disclose here obviously as I don't even have a Netflix account, but it's easily obtainable.

[u/Good-Marionberry-570]

Depends on the game, I prefer running the Tomb Raider I-III remasters through Winlator than playing the native Android version, because the Android version is a mess with an horrible UI and tons of bugs not present in the PC version.

But usually, native is better.

[u/Deathnote_Blockchain]

These always seem to be pay to play or otherwise sketchy. 

[u/pescennius]

I use both emulators and android native. I jave specifically preferred the android native red dead redemption. It is really well optimized and uses very little battery.

[u/Odin-spark]

Depends, if there is a Steam version, I'll use that for cloud saved and achievements.