ARMSX2 on Android gains local multiplayer feature for iconic PS2 titles
The ARMSX2 emulator, popular among PlayStation 2 fans on Android, was recently updated. The new version 2.6.5.1 now includes Local Link, a feature that allows games in LAN and System Link modes, available in several games on the console.
The feature is available on both GitHub and the Google Play Store, making it possible to connect multiple cell phones using the same Wi-Fi network or a mobile hotspot. Although it is possible to play online, internet games require a direct connection to the hosting player, often requiring a VPN.
System Link mode was a fundamental alternative to multiplayer on the PlayStation 2, at a time when online was not so accessible. This technology made it possible for several consoles to connect via a local network, allowing each person to play on their own device and copy of the game, as if they were in a home “lan house”.
Now, with the new version, ARMSX2 simulates this experience between cell phones and tablets. The player who starts the session establishes an address, and other users enter this data into the application to join the match.
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The development team added automatic identifiers for each player, as well as a specific code for each game room. Update information indicates that approximately 57 PlayStation 2 titles that offer LAN or System Link modes may be compatible with the functionality.
Among the games mentioned by the emulator’s creators, classics such as Gran Turismo 4, TimeSplitters 2, Midnight Club 3 and the SOCOM franchise stand out. Popular titles from the Call of Duty, Star Wars: Battlefront and Tony Hawk series are also included in the list.
For local games, it is essential that all devices are connected to the same network. A device configured as a mobile access point can be used to connect other cell phones, eliminating the need for a physical router and allowing multiplayer matches in any environment.
However, to play over the internet, the host’s address must be accessible to other players. Considering that most mobile and home networks generally prevent direct connections, the developers suggest using a VPN to create a virtual local network between participants.
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A subsequent update, version 2.6.5.3, brought a tool for fully backing up and restoring emulator data. This functionality consolidates all information into a single compressed file in ZIP format.
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This backup file can store elements such as virtual memory cards, save points, game skins, custom settings, controller profiles, cheat codes, fixes and screenshots. Thus, when reinstalling the application, the user does not need to reconfigure their entire game collection.
The new feature is particularly useful for those who downloaded ARMSX2 from the Google Play Store, as the platform does not offer the option of choosing a custom directory for the data. Those who already used their own folders were able, in part, to keep the files even after uninstalling the emulator.
ARMSX2 is a free and open source project, built on the PCSX2 base, with specific optimizations for ARM64 processors. The emulator is available for download on GitHub and the Google Play Store. For legal use, the player must extract the BIOS from their own console and create copies of the games they own.
