AetherSX2
| |
| Developer(s) | Tahlreth |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 1.5-4248 |
| Active | No |
| Platform(s) | Android Linux macOS Xbox One |
| Architecture(s) | ARM |
| Emulates | PlayStation 2 |
| Website | AetherSX2.com |
| Support ($) | Patreon |
| Programmed in | Java[1] |
| License | Proprietary |
| BIOS/Keys | Required |
AetherSX2 is a closed-source PlayStation 2 emulator for Android, Linux, macOS and Xbox One.
Download[edit]
Overview[edit]
AetherSX2 is essentially a closed-source Android port of PCSX2, adding an ARM JIT. However, alike the incredibly shady DamonPS2, it uses the current version of PCSX2, which is licensed under the GPL, without making the source code available to the public.
- Supported image formats: .iso, .chd, .cso, .bin, .gzip, .elf
- System requirements: At least a Snapdragon 845 or equivalent. Mali and PowerVR GPUs are limited by the lack of dual-source blending in their Android drivers, and will perform worse than Adreno GPUs.[2]
Tahlreth suspended development and bowed out from the emulation scene altogether in January 2023, citing the unacceptable behaviour of multiple people towards himself. [3] In later revisions of Aethersx2 after version 13930-v1.5-3668, Tahlreth would add ads and software trackers to the app. A number of fans have either archived old APK versions, or in the case of one hacker, came up with a reverse-engineered build based on a very old LGPL source code release. There also exists a patch for the latest alpha release called NetherSX2 which also removes advertising and introduces quality-of-life improvements over the original emulator. Due to licensing concerns NetherSX2 only comes in an .sh script rather than as a full APK, similar to the ReVanced project for the YouTube client on Android.
References[edit]
- ↑ Tahlreth on Reddit. November 23, 2021. "No Java source code will ever be public [...]"
- ↑ Tahlreth. AetherSX2 FAQ. § What are the requirements?
- ↑ Tahlreth. Page Unavailable. § AetherSX2 development is indefinitely suspended.
