The realm of emulators has always been elusive. It exists in a gray area where consumers and companies don’t always see eye to eye, which is why this potentially functional PS3 emulator for Android devices could be the next big thing.
Called aPS3e, it is exactly what it claims to be — a working PS3 emulator built for Android devices. However, it quickly sparked controversy, garnering significant attention within just 24 hours of its release.
No one knows exactly who developed aPS3e, other than that it comes from a Chinese developer using the pseudonym Aenu. This secrecy is understandable, as emulators often exist in a legal gray zone. The developers clearly don’t want Nintendo or Sony ninjas knocking on their doors with a 50-page lawsuit.
The team at Android Authority tested the emulator and reported that its compatibility is highly limited. Even newer flagship phones struggle to run many of the available games. The emulator requires Android 7 or higher and Vulkan support. Those interested in trying it out must provide their own ROMs and firmware, but given that aPS3e is not yet proven stable, that’s a lot of effort for an uncertain payoff.
However, users on the aPS3e subreddit have shared their experiences, noting that the emulator performs well with less demanding games like Limbo and Terraria. For an Android-based PS3 emulator, this is already a significant milestone, signaling that smartphone-based emulation is slowly getting there.
Android Authority published an in-depth piece on the emulator’s functionality, even praising its solid performance. They tested it across various games and compared its performance on different devices, including the Nubia REDMAGIC 10 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
That said, the emulator still lacks basic features like controller support, and its UI is pretty barebones. But hey, at least it works.
Currently, developer Aenu is asking for donations to further develop the software, initially promising to release the emulator’s source code if donations reach $5,000. However, they later lowered the goal to $2,000 — a move that many players found rather odd.
Note: Gfinity Esports can’t link to or advise the use of ROMs as they are illegal.