Game emulators on Android are super hot right now, and here’s the proof

Using an emulator on Android devices has become a popular way to play classic, PC, and console games on mobile devices. These emulators have come a long way in such a short period, and are now capable of mimicking even the most complex architectures. This, combined with the performance of modern smartphones, is no wonder that we’ve seen massive growth in this space.

It’s a great time to be a part of the Android game emulator scene

In a recent article about gaming giant Valve’s hand in accelerating this sector, we asked readers if they use an emulator on their devices to play games. Over 11,000 readers responded with either a “yes” or a “no,” and the results are as follows.

An astounding 60.8% of respondents (over 7,000 votes in real terms) do indeed run an emulator of some sort on their smartphones to play games. That’s a massive share, and underscores the popularity of gaming on portable devices.

So why are they so popular? Well, some readers blame the quality of mobile games for this move. Per reader montisaquadeis:

Emulation is the only way I play games on mobile as most mobile games are GARBAGE.

However, I also believe that this trend is a testament to some of the rather brilliant emulators we’ve seen in recent years, which now cover various platforms, from the PlayStation 2 to the PlayStation 3, and from the Nintendo Game Boy Advance to the Nintendo 64. Recently, the first Xbox 360 emulator, aX360e, was released on the Play Store. There has never been a better time to dive into the world of emulation, especially given the power behind modern smartphone chipsets.

Of course, while many users are adopting emulators on their phones, just under a third of respondents don’t. This doesn’t necessarily mean that this population is fundamentally against emulation, though. Many users likely own devices that struggle to run the titles they want to play, or they’re happy with mobile games.

Some may not have the hardware to run an emulator. Reader mnorthorp claims that games on their Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, perhaps the pinnacle of Android phones, “run like crap” on the device.

Beyond emulation, there are also other arguably easier ways to take your games with you. The Steam Deck allows for plenty of customization, while the myriad Android handhelds available are also far more focused on providing a gaming-first experience to users.

Personally, I never quite bought into the emulation movement. That’s not because I don’t wish I could run old games on my device, but rather, I don’t think I could find the time to acquire the games, set up my device for success, and then enjoy several hours a day playing them.

If anything, I’m more likely to dig up my Nintendo 3DS XL first before experimenting with emulation. Your mileage may vary.

If you’re one of the many readers who do use an emulator to play games on your Android phone, let us know your favorite emulator, how you use it, your device, and what you’re playing right now. If you answered “no,” what’s holding you back from trying emulators?