[Feature Request] ARMSX2 core

[davidhedlund]

LRPS2 is a libretro core that is a heavily customized fork of PCSX2, serving as the only PlayStation 2 libretro core. However, it is not available for RetroArch on Android via the usual Main Menu → Online Updater → Core Downloader path, so Android users currently lack a PS2 libretro core option. There are no official PCSX2 releases for Android, which explains why LRPS2 only targets desktop RetroArch releases. Meanwhile, ARMSX2, another fork of PCSX2 designed specifically for ARM devices, is an intriguing candidate for Android-based PS2 emulation.

It should be noted that ARMSX2 currently is unstable, encountering crashes and freezes on certain devices as reported in issue discussions and user testing (see ARMSX2/ARMSX2#40). However, the development team is actively working on fixes and improvements, with plans to address GPU compatibility and update the underlying PCSX2 core. Given the ongoing development and roadmap, it's expected that these stability issues will be resolved over time, making the emulator more reliable for PS2 gaming on Android devices soon.

Please add the "core requests - not retroarch bugs" label to this issue.

[davidhedlund]

• [Feature Request] Play! core for Android #18474

[davidhedlund]

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this suggestion, @hizzlekizzle, since you reviewed #18301.

[hizzlekizzle]

We'll see how it shakes out.

Libretro-izing programs that are still under heavy, invasive development isn't usually a great use of our time, since we have to do a lot of work to keep up with major changes/reorganizations. On top of that, it probably isn't a great idea to have a separate core for ARM devices, so the more likely eventuality would be porting their dynarec strategy into LRPS2.

There are a couple of different PS2-dynarec-on-ARM teams working concurrently, so we'll have to see what ends up being the best strategy. ARMSX2's use of existing ARM and x86 dynarecs in a dynarec-on-a-dynarec strategy is likely the fastest/shortest path to getting something usable, but it might end up being more trouble in the long run to get something reliable and maintainable than just writing direct, bespoke dynarecs.