ARMSX2 emulator update improves PS2 performance on Mali GPUs

The open-source PlayStation 2 emulator ARMSX2 has released version 2.8.3, introducing a significant update for Android devices equipped with ARM Mali GPUs. The update features MaliSX2, a custom Vulkan driver specifically designed to improve performance for users who do not have Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.

Previously, Android emulation heavily favored Qualcomm's Adreno GPUs due to specialized Turnip drivers. The new MaliSX2 driver expands support to a wide range of hardware, including Mali G615, G715, G57, G68, G77, G78, and G78AE. This enables smoother gameplay on various devices, such as the Google Pixel series (6, 8, and 8 Pro), Samsung Galaxy models (A53, A54, S20, S21 series), and several Motorola and Xiaomi devices.

Performance tests indicate substantial improvements in certain titles; for example, Ace Combat 4 and 5 can now run at full speed. While some games may see frame generation times cut in half compared to previous versions, certain titles like Shadow of the Colossus may experience slower performance when using 2x upscaling. The update also addresses critical battery drain issues occurring when the app runs in the background.