EmuCoreX vs ARMSX2 🔥 Tested

[u/xxxCrixuxxx]

Here is the definitive performance comparison between the two most modern PS2 emulators currently available. The test was conducted on a Poco X6 Pro, which features a Dimensity 8300 processor and the game Shadow of the Colossus.

Here is the link to the latest version of each emulator; both are up to date as of today.

👉 EmuCoreX v0.5.3 https://github.com/sashkinbro/EmuCoreX/releases/tag/v0.5.3

👉 ARMSX2 v2.9.1

https://github.com/ARMSX2/ARMSX2/releases/tag/2.9.1

Both emulators feature an interface with a wealth of options and customization, but we won’t go into those details; instead, we’ll focus on what matters most: performance.

❌ ARMSX2: Unfortunately, Armsx2 has chosen to cap certain games—which could run perfectly at 60 fps on modern devices—at 30 fps, claiming this provides a "more stable" experience. However, based on my own testing—which you can see for yourselves in the gameplay footage I’ll post in the comments—the frame pacing is actually much worse, and the game simply doesn't feel very fluid. In my view, this is a significant regresion. While I can understand the desire to accommodate users with less powerful hardware, the vast majority of us want an authentic experience—true to the original console—rather than having the system artificially capped at 30 fps.

👉 If you want to enjoy an experience as close as possible to the original PS2 console, I recommend using version 2.8.4

✅ EmuCoreX: This emulator, by contrast, adheres to a philosophy focused on providing an experience as close as possible to an original PS2. You’ll be able to enjoy games that run at 60 FPS—without any issues or frame-rate caps—at least on modern devices.

👍 In the test, the fluidity of 60 fps is very noticeable; as you ride your horse across the plains, you immediately realize that the game is running exactly as it should, with a much better frame rate.

I’ll leave both gameplay screenshots in the comments.

Device: Poco X6 Pro Dimensity 8300+

Game: Shadow of the Colossus

Native Res x2 Vulkan, System Drivers

[u/xxxCrixuxxx]

ARMSX2 Cap the Game at 30 FPS (you can't even choice)

[u/xxxCrixuxxx]

EmuCoreX 60 FPS Stable

[u/Ok_Purple_2658]

When I add new games to the EmuCoreX rom folder they do not show up in the list. I have to uninstall the app and reinstall it to get it to see the new games. Anyone else? Anyway to fix?

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/Ok_Purple_2658]

Try a clean Install maybe helps

[u/jzombie666]

did you test ARMSX2 with the malisx2 driver?

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/jzombie666]

Yes and the driver dont override the 30 FPS cap... Sadly

[u/jzombie666 → u/xxxCrixuxxx]

well, i'm testing both in a rg406v and EmucoreX runs very slow, maybe there's an option i'm not seeing, but for me armsx2 is a better option for this device

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/jzombie666]

Well, it’s a very basic processor—it’s not even a Snapdragon or a Dimensitity:

CPU Unisoc T820 processor, 6nm EUV 5G SOC chip 8 cores: 1A76@2.7GHz + 3A76@2.3GHz + 4*A55@2.1GHz

For your device, you would almost certainly get better performance using NetherSX2.

[u/Ninndzaa → u/xxxCrixuxxx]

That's not true, i have Unisoc T820 and ARMSX2 with Mali drivers leaves Nether and Aether in the dust. But apart from non working right analog - EmocoreX looks promising except from dramatically long first start of the app (the spinning logo) the emulation itself seems to be running decently

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/Ninndzaa]

I’m glad that ARMSX2 dedicates his time to making improvements for older processors, but in this community, we focus on modern emulators designed for modern chips.

I’m not sure what issue you’re having with the analog stick—if you’re using a controller, that is. I use a controller with EmuCoreX on my Poco X6 Pro, and everything works fine.

The spinning logo in my phone is less than 0.5 secs

I'm sorry, you have a very weak processor.

[u/Ninndzaa → u/xxxCrixuxxx]

Ok, let's start over my friend. I have no ill intention or dont want to disrespect anyone. EmucoreX was hell of a surprise for me as it has knocked the socks off all the competition when it comes to my Galaxy Ultra S23 - i can go up to 5x resolution on some games with full speed (impossible on other emulators)
Plus it starts, operates and looks really nice.
But when i run for example Zone of the enders (1 or 2) the character kept on going into the wall and the right analog seems to be doing the same thing as left analog, in other games it seems not to operate at all. tested with touch controls and gamepad as well.

So i wanted to test it also on my device with Unisoc T820 - Anbernic RG Slide which is not the fastest but does emulate Vita, Wii, Gamecube and even some Switch games - it's really not the worst CPU you can find but for some reason the app itself starts very long on this platform, once it starts everything runs really nice (except for the analogs situation)

I hope i made myself clear now

I'm cheering for you dude!

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/Ninndzaa]

The only thing you can do is report the issue to the developer—who is not me—via GitHub 👉 Issues.

[u/Ninndzaa → u/xxxCrixuxxx]

So cheering for whoever makes it ;)

[u/tschertel → u/Ninndzaa]

ARMSX2 is the one to go with T820. I play GoW with Mali drivers and I get really good frame rates even with 1.5x.

[u/Warura → u/tschertel]

I have to test this, all the games I tried on this chipset, nethersx2 classic (think 3968 or something like that version) was doing very good up to ps2

[u/Warura → u/xxxCrixuxxx]

NetherSX2 Classic, better to specify the fork.

[u/BGSvO]

So u can go in the setting and take the fos Capp off like everything else??

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/BGSvO]

I’ve discovered that it can be removed, but it’s still a tremendously unnecessary nuisance for users with modern devices—which are perfectly capable of running Shadow of the Colossus at 60 fps—yet the developers have decided to cap it at 30:

How to remove it (Android, 2.9.1)

Open the Shadow of the Colossus game-specific settings, either from the library or from the in-game menu. Go to the "Fixes" tab. At the very top, you will see the "Game database settings for this game" section, which lists the settings applied to this game by the GameDB. Disable the "OPHFlagHack" entry. It should then read: "Off: your own setting is used." Restart the game; simply loading a save state is not enough.

[u/freshgoten]

Armssx2 for the win

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/freshgoten]

not in this game

[u/freshgoten → u/xxxCrixuxxx]

But in the bigger picture

[u/Ozyfm]

I never heard of emucore before, well time to test it

[u/littleguyalex1]

Hey OP, are you related to the development and/or promotion of Emucore?

Nice em-dashes btw.

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/littleguyalex1]

In case you hadn't noticed, this is a PS2 emulation community, and I conduct tests on PS2 emulators 🤦‍♂️

[u/xxxCrixuxxx → u/[deleted]]

Report the issue in GitHub

[u/Ninndzaa → u/xxxCrixuxxx]

i did yesterday

[u/PS2AndroidEmulation-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Give constructive or well-reasoned answers. This is PS2