Every year, the emulation scene quietly evolves. Sometimes the changes are subtle — a few extra frames per second here, a handful of new compatible games there. Other times, a single project appears almost out of nowhere and instantly reshapes expectations for an entire console.
This year was one of those rare years where a lot happened at once. We saw experimental projects reach maturity faster than anyone expected, long-standing emulators finally break through performance walls, and controversial decisions that sparked debate across the community. Some projects doubled their performance. Others crossed the almost mythical 98% compatibility mark. And a few reminded us that technical progress doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with community trust.
Let’s take a calm, detailed walk through the emulators that stood out — not as hype, but as real milestones.
GameFusion Lite: Not Quite an Emulator, Still Worth Talking About
Before diving into traditional console emulation, it’s worth starting with something slightly different.
GameFusion has been known for one specific thing: allowing Windows games to run on Android. While it doesn’t emulate a console in the classic sense, it sits close enough to the emulation space that its progress still matters.
This year, GameFusion Lite appeared — and it immediately caught attention for the right reasons.
Why GameFusion Lite Felt Different
The Lite version stripped away everything people complained about:
- No bloatware
- No background data collection
- No forced accounts or extra services
That cleanup alone removed unnecessary processes, which translated into a small but meaningful performance boost. On Android, where CPU cycles and thermal limits matter, even minor gains can change the experience.
The Sudden Uncertainty
Just as interest was building, the main developer abruptly abandoned the project, stating that the EmuReady team would continue development. Months later, there’s still no updated release.
At the moment, GameFusion Lite sits in an uncomfortable place: promising, functional, but frozen in time. Whether it will return stronger or quietly fade away remains unclear.
Ymir: A Sega Saturn Emulator That Shouldn’t Be This Good Already
The Sega Saturn has always been one of the most difficult consoles to emulate accurately. Its architecture is famously complex, built around two independent GPUs — one handling sprites, the other handling 3D — with no clean communication between them.
For decades, this design has been a nightmare for emulator developers.
And yet, Ymir appeared this year and immediately challenged that reputation.
Why Ymir Is So Impressive
Despite still being labeled experimental, Ymir already runs over 90% of the Saturn’s library. That alone would be impressive. What makes it more remarkable is how early it is in development.
Of course, it’s not complete:
- Many quality-of-life features are missing
- Accuracy still varies between titles
- Configuration options are limited
But what’s already working suggests enormous potential. If development continues at this pace, Ymir could redefine Saturn emulation entirely.
Official project page:
https://github.com/FCare/Ymir
Yaba Sanshiro: A Comeback No One Expected
For years, Yaba Sanshiro was considered one of the best Saturn emulators available — especially for those who valued graphical enhancements.
Then development stalled. Updates slowed. Eventually, many assumed it was effectively abandoned.
That changed.
What Triggered the Revival
Around the Saturn’s 30th anniversary, development resumed — and not just with token updates. The emulator began receiving consistent improvements again.
Recent additions include:
- Significantly improved compatibility
- Enhanced graphical features like polygon correction and sprite upscaling
- Anti-aliasing improvements
- Savestate synchronization between Android and PC (paid version)
- Support for controllers like the 8BitDo M30, which closely matches the original Saturn pad
Yaba Sanshiro didn’t just return — it returned with purpose.
Official website:
https://www.uoyabause.org/
PCSX2: The PlayStation 2 Emulator That Finally “Finished the Job”
When people talk about mature emulators, PCSX2 is now the gold standard.
After years of incremental progress, it has effectively reached what many thought was impossible: nearly 100% playable compatibility.
Where PCSX2 Stands Today
Out of more than 4,300 PlayStation 2 titles, only a handful remain unplayable:
- Stuntman
- Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects
- Final Fantasy XI (dependent on online servers and subscriptions)
Beyond compatibility, PCSX2 now surpasses original hardware in several ways:
- Higher internal resolutions
- Widescreen patches
- Faster load times
- Online multiplayer between PC users and even real consoles
If you haven’t updated PCSX2 recently, you’re missing years of refinement.
Official website:
https://pcsx2.net/
PlayStation 2 on Android: AetherSX2 and the Rise of ArmSX2
On Android, AetherSX2 remains the most reliable way to experience PlayStation 2 games. Over the year, it received meaningful performance improvements and expanded compatibility.
For most users, it is still the clear recommendation.
ArmSX2: Huge Potential, Not Ready Yet
ArmSX2, a PCSX2 port with ARM recompilers, generated excitement — and rightly so. The idea alone suggests long-term potential to rival or surpass existing solutions.
However, reality hasn’t caught up yet:
- Missing basic features
- Buggy behavior
- Rough overall user experience
At this stage, it’s not a replacement for AetherSX2. But it is a project worth watching closely.
Azahar: Technically Mature, Philosophically Divisive
Azahar didn’t evolve much technically this year — largely because it didn’t need to. It’s already a very capable emulator.
Instead, controversy dominated its narrative.
The Core Issues
- Added DRM layers
- Restrictions affecting mods like CTGP7 (Mario Kart 7)
- Barriers even for abandonware-style content
There were improvements, such as proper support for dual screens on Android, which benefits foldable devices and external display setups. But for many users, these gains were overshadowed by restrictive design choices.
The result is a technically solid emulator that increasingly divides its own community.
ShadPS4: The Emulator Built for One Game — and Then Much More
ShadPS4 exists largely because of Bloodborne. And this year, it delivered something few expected: nearly double the FPS in that title.
Why ShadPS4 Matters
Beyond Bloodborne, compatibility expanded rapidly:
- Dead or Alive 5
- The Last Guardian
- Driveclub
- Early signs of gameplay in God of War 3
At present, visual issues remain — missing textures, lighting errors, environmental glitches — but progress is undeniable.
The Piracy Debate
ShadPS4 sparked controversy when developers removed file installation features, citing piracy concerns. This decision split the community and indirectly led to forks restoring removed functionality.
Forks and “Community Fixes”: Azahar Plus and ShadPS4 Plus
As more emulators added DRM and restrictions, forks emerged to reverse those changes.
- Azahar Plus
- ShadPS4 Plus
These forks aimed to restore removed features and reduce reliance on external tools. In Azahar’s case, this led to open conflict over branding and philosophy. In ShadPS4’s case, the main developers largely ignored it.
Whether one agrees with these forks or not, they reflect a recurring truth in emulation: when restrictions increase, alternatives appear.
RPCS3: Quiet Progress, Big Results
RPCS3 didn’t dominate headlines this year — but it didn’t need to.
In real-world testing, performance gains of up to 25% appeared in certain titles. Games that once struggled at 25 FPS now run close to 60 FPS on capable systems.
Even with high-end hardware, PlayStation 3 emulation remains demanding due to Sony’s complex architecture. Considering that reality, RPCS3’s current compatibility is already an extraordinary achievement.
Official website:
https://rpcs3.net/
Nintendo Switch Emulation: Citron and Eden Take the Lead
The final chapter of this year belongs to Switch emulation.
Citron: Stability After Turbulence
Citron had a rocky year — DRM concerns, internal disputes, and verification systems slowed momentum. But things stabilized.
Recent highlights include:
- Firmware 19 audio fixes
- Support for Switch 2 update packages
- Additional languages and minor content updates
- Strong community-developer communication
Citron clearly positioned itself as a long-term successor to Yuzu.
Eden: The Compatibility King
Eden didn’t slow down at all.
- Over 50 games fixed this year
- Strong Android optimizations
- Exclusive optimizations for certain titles
- Support for CTGP Deluxe (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe mod)
Performance in JRPGs remains Eden’s standout strength. For fans of the genre — especially on Android — it’s currently the best option available.
Final Thoughts: Progress Isn’t Just About Speed
This year proved something important: emulator progress isn’t just measured in FPS or compatibility percentages.
It’s also about:
- Transparency
- Community trust
- Long-term direction
Some projects soared. Others stumbled philosophically. But overall, the scene moved forward — and in meaningful ways.
If this pace continues, the coming years may redefine what “fully playable” truly means.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. Emulation legality varies by region. Always use legally obtained game dumps and firmware files according to your local laws.
#Emulation #RetroGaming #PCSX2 #RPCS3 #NintendoSwitch #AndroidGaming #GamePreservation
