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This is the starting point for Android emulation guides. Most of the setup is the same whether you have a Retroid, an Odin or something else. Device guides will cover the bits that change, such as dual-screen apps, controls and display settings, but for most Android devices the steps are about 99% the same.
Before you start
Before you get started I recommend doing the following:
- Create a folder for your games (or ROMs) with sub-folders for each system. If you don’t want to do this manually, then Russ from RetroGameCorps has kindly created a folder structure based on the ES-DE (a great frontend) layout, which most frontends are compatible with. You can download that folder from here:
- Create a folder called BIOS for your BIOS files. These are files that are required by emulators in order for them to run certain systems (i.e. PS1, PS2, Dreamcast etc.). Most systems don’t require them. Just like games, BIOS files are copyrighted so you wont find link to them here, but the internet is a vast place full of all sorts of things.
- Create an account on ScreenScraper. ScreenScraper is a metadata scraper. This is what frontends will use to grab your game art, logos, screenshots, videos and game metadata (name, description, genre etc.). Its a free account but I STRONGLY recommend donating €10 to get access to more threads. More threads = faster scraping. This will come in extremely handy if you have a billion games like me, yes I’ve played all of them…
- Create an account on RetroAchievements. Most emulators have RetroAchievements functionality, which adds achievements to classic games, similar to Playstation Trophies or Xbox achievements. This is one of my favourite features of retro gaming and something I highly recommend doing! Whilst you’re at it, give me a follow!
1. Download Obtainium
Download Obtainium and install it on your device. If you’re not sure which file to choose, download app-release.apk.
Android will ask for permission to install an app from this source. Allow it, then open Obtainium.
Obtainium tracks releases from the developers, so you can update the apps you use without checking every project yourself.
2. Import the RJNY Emulation Pack
- Open the latest RJNY Emulation Pack release on your device.
- Download the JSON that matches your device.
- Standard is for most Android devices, including Retroid Pocket and AYN Odin handhelds.
- Dual-Screen is for devices such as the AYN Thor and Anbernic RG DS.
- In Obtainium, open Import/Export.
- Select Obtainium Import and choose the JSON file you downloaded.
The pack adds the available apps to Obtainium and keeps their update sources ready. It does not mean you need every app in the list. Install the emulators and utilities you actually plan to use.
Optional: install Solid Explorer
Solid Explorer is worth having. It makes it easier to create text files, extract archives and move files around your device than the stock Android file picker.
You’ll use this a lot once you start adding ROMs, BIOS files and frontend launch files.
A few tips before you start
- Give your games a simple home and stick to it. One folder per system is a good start. Keep BIOS files separate unless an emulator asks for them somewhere specific.
- Extract archives before adding games. Most Android emulators and frontends expect the actual game file, not a
.zipfull of files. - Open each emulator once before setting up a frontend. Give it storage access, point it at the right folders and test one game first.
- Don’t install every emulator because it is in the pack. Several apps cover the same system. Start with one, test it, then move on.
- Check what an Obtainium update is changing before installing it. A newer build can change settings, compatibility or controller behaviour.
- A Track Only entry tells Obtainium to notify you about updates. You still download those files yourself and then mark the entry as updated.
Current RJNY pack apps
This table reflects the latest RJNY Emulation Pack
Emulator
Emulators are what allows you to play your games. They ‘emulate’ the original hardware.
| App | What it does | RJNY source |
|---|---|---|
| aPS3e | PS3 emulator for Android | Project |
| Azahar | Nintendo 3DS emulator | Project |
| Cemu | Wii U emulator | Project |
| Citra | Nintendo 3DS emulator (MMJ fork) | Project |
| Dolphin Emulator | GameCube and Wii emulator | Project |
| DuckStation | PlayStation 1 emulator | Project |
| Eden | Nintendo Switch emulator | Project |
| Flycast | Dreamcast, NAOMI, and Atomiswave emulator | Project |
| MelonDS | Nintendo DS emulator | Project |
| MelonDS Nightly | Nintendo DS emulator (nightly builds) | Project |
| Play! | PlayStation 2 emulator | Project |
| PPSSPP | PPSSPP is an open source, fast and portable PSP emulator | Project |
| RetroArch (AArch64) | Released less frequently. Better stability. | Project |
| RPCSX | PlayStation 4 emulator | Project |
| ScummVM | An emulator for classic Point and Click adventure games | Project |
| NetherSX2 | PlayStation 2 emulator | Project |
| WatermelonDS | Nintendo DS emulator | Project |
| Pico8 Android | PICO-8 fantasy console frontend | Project |
| Vita3K | PlayStation Vita emulator | Project |
| Xemu Android | Original Xbox emulator | Project |
| Hakux | Original Xbox emulator | Project |
| NetherSX2-Turnip | Defunct PS2 Emulator with Turnip Driver support | Project |
| ARMSX2 | PlayStation 2 emulator | Project |
| Citron Neo | Switch Emulator | Project |
| Swiff | Flash Emulator | Project |
| Xendroid | Xbox 360 Emulator | Project |
| ARMSX1 | PSX Emulator | Project |
| ARMSX3 | PS3 Emulator | Project |
| X360 Mobile | Xbox 360 Emulator | Project |
| Gopher64 | Nintendo 64 Emulator | Project |
PC Emulation
These are apps which will allow you run PC Games directly on your device. They each work a bit differently and have pros and cons.
| App | What it does | RJNY source |
|---|---|---|
| GameHub Lite | Windows game launcher for Android | Project |
| GameNative | PC Game Emulator with Steam, Epic and GOG integration | Project |
| Winlator | Windows app and game emulator for Android | Project |
| Winlator CMod | Winlator community mod | Project |
| Winlator-Ludashi | Winlator fork with Ludashi optimizations | Project |
| Starboard | Run PortMaster games on Android. | Project |
Streaming
These apps will allow you to stream your PC games directly to your device.
| App | What it does | RJNY source |
|---|---|---|
| Artemis | Game streaming client (Moonlight fork) | Project |
| Moonlight | Game streaming client for NVIDIA GameStream and Sunshine | Project |
Frontend
These apps take your game folders and present them in a gorgeous library and unify the emulation experience.
| App | RJNY source |
|---|---|
| Daijishō | Project |
| Cocoon FE | Project |
| Argosy | Project |
| iiSU | Project |
| Cannoli | Project |
| Console Launcher | Project |
| NeoStation | Project |
| RetroHrai | Project |
Utilities
Tools and toys for your device.
| App | What it does | RJNY source |
|---|---|---|
| Syncthing-Fork | Sync files across devices (i.e. Save data) | Project |
| ES-DE Android Apps | ES-DE system integration for Android (no longer needed) | Project |
| OdinTools | AYN Odin handheld system tweaks | Project |
| Bifrost | Customises your device RGB | Project |
| Pixel Guide Android | Game Guide companion | Project |
| EmuReady Lite | Emulation compatibility database | Project |
| CHDroid | CHD file converter for Android | Project |
| Cluster Tune | Underclocks your device to save battery and reduce temperature | Project |
| RAOfflineProxy | Allows you to unlock softcore retroachievements whilst your device is offline | Project |
| MimirBuilt by RetroPup | Android Emulation Toolkit, comes with coverters, compressors and other useful tools | Project |
| Pulse | Underclocks your device to save battery and reduce temperature | Project |
| Nova Display Calibration | Adjusts the colour profiles on the Retroid Pocket Nova | Project |
| Mjolnir | Set default apps for top and bottom screens, great for companion apps and frontends! | Project |
| ES-DE Companion | ES-DE frontend companion app | Project |
| Jarngreipr | App launcher with widgets, works great alongside Mjolnir | Project |
| Emulnk | Emulator companion app | Project |
Track Only
Obtainium will not automatically install these apps. But if you enable them then it will notify you if there is an update to the RJNY Pack or a turnip driver etc.
| App | What it does | RJNY source |
|---|---|---|
| Adreno-Tools-Drivers | See the linked project for current details. | Project |
| Mr. Purple Turnip Drivers | See the linked project for current details. | Project |
| ES-DE Custom Systems | See the linked project for current details. | Project |
| Obtainium Emulation Pack | See the linked project for current details. | Project |