Emulation-Station is a frontend available on various platforms, which acts as an organized launcher for all your games. Most notably, it's used as a low-power frontend for Raspberry Pi emulation boxes, or as one of the primary ways to access retro game backups on the Steam Deck and other handheld devices. As of now, Emulation-Station is usable on more than just computers, as the developers have added Android to its list of available platforms.

Emulation-Station DE has been released onto the Amazon Appstore, with plans for a Google Play release eventually, though according to the developers, Google has not allowed the app onto the store thus far. The app costs $5.39 USD, and once purchased, allows you to organize, theme, and display your game collections on your phone, tablet, or Android gaming device. It supports over 120 different game platforms, including RetroArch. By using scrapers, Emulation-Station can display boxarts, information, and screenshots for your games, adding a more unified and organized way to access your game library on the platform.

Documentation on the Android version is available to read on GitLab, while the app can be gotten from Amazon's Android appstore.

Discussion Thread

 

[Purple_Shyguy]

Would this run on Switch?

Could it run Sega Model 2/3 games?

 

[Goku1992A]

This is okay but I’ll stick to console launcher it’s been working for me for over a year. If it isn’t broke don’t fix it

 

[a_username_that_isnt_cool]

So ES-DE for PSPortal?

 

[AngryCinnabon]

there are safe places to download .apk files for free if that is your concern

All i was trying to say is that there's some fake versions of ESDE ON Amazon, as mentioned by the dev.

 

[Foxi4]

What a scam! It says ES-DE, but is neither in Spanish nor in German.

But it does support es-de cards.

 

[raxadian]

So I guess this has a Linux version then?

 

[krakenx]

Isn't RetroArch also a frontend? So this is a frontend to a frontend? How does that even work. Don't you still end up having to configure RetroArch?

 

[Metoroid0]

honestly, the best frontend. i tried many but nothing compares, nothing compares to youuuu.

Post automatically merged: Feb 24, 2024

So I guess this has a Linux version then?

i have been using it on steam deck if that counts.

Post automatically merged: Feb 24, 2024

Isn't RetroArch also a frontend? So this is a frontend to a frontend? How does that even work. Don't you still end up having to configure RetroArch?

retroarch has cores and a frontend. it works by using just cores part not the frontend part of RA loaded through ES-DE which is only a frontend.

Post automatically merged: Feb 24, 2024

All i was trying to say is that there's some fake versions of ESDE ON Amazon, as mentioned by the dev.
View attachment 421948

why on earth would someone with an android use other stores when there is official safe play store...?

Post automatically merged: Feb 24, 2024

This is okay but I’ll stick to console launcher it’s been working for me for over a year. If it isn’t broke don’t fix it

console launcher??
also this is not a fix its an option and it works as well.

Post automatically merged: Feb 24, 2024

advantages/comparison to daijisho?

as for the price complainers, i think they've earned some level of money in any case.

daijisho sucks. thats the comparison.

 

[Flame]

But it does support es-de cards.

Underrated information which I required.

 

[Mayo1990]

I'll ask it. Does it work on OUYA?

 

[Roamin64]

While it doesn't speak to the Android version, EmulationStation's been actively worked on for over a decade. I think it's acceptable to trust that they'll continue working on the Android version. Plus, the developers have offered the desktop version for years for free, when they didn't have to. They've been instrumental in RetroPie units and for the Deck. I think a special Android port is worth spending a little on--it doesn't come across as predatory, it seems to be a pet project, and a way for the devs to get some money for their years of work, which is more than fair.

But why is it ok for an app to be free on pc and then suddenly behind a paywall when it comes to android or ios? What makes these OSes ok acceptable to charge for something when it was free for over a decade?

 

[weestuarty]

Because it is a platform where independant hobbyist developers can fund their projects easily and because android apps tend to need much more maintenance than on other OS because google constantly changes things regarding permissions or security features. I think a one time payment for something you have used on pc for years to keep a project alive is a fair thing, providing its a fair price and has access to future updates

 

[Trojaner]

ES was ok ... except for the many Srapper Probs. Almost every time the Scrapper was fucked when testing. Has it now finally EmuMovies Support? Last Tested the PC version (Windows) 2 month ago and the Srapper was still the biggest prob with ES.

 

[PrincessLillie]

But, if the DE in Emulation-Station DE stands for Desktop Edition, doesn't that mean this should be Emulation-Station Mobile Edition, or Emulation-Station ME?

 

[George35000vr]

But, if the DE in Emulation-Station DE stands for Desktop Edition, doesn't that mean this should be Emulation-Station Mobile Edition, or Emulation-Station ME?

DE = Droid Edition

 

[dragonmaster]

i cant purchase from amazon, my country is restricted and while i want to try it i am unable to find the apk file in the usual places . it may bring new life to my gpd xp

 

[weestuarty]

DE = Droid Edition

Part of the decision to rename the app to ESDE was because we condisred the D to mean Deck, Droid and Desktop these days.

 

[Erelan]

Would this run on Switch?

Could it run Sega Model 2/3 games?

Probably yes. The answer to both questions.

 

[Bobsy]

Android Apps that you buy on Amazon need the Amazon App constantly running in the background, iirc. Is that still the case here?

 

[urbanman2004]

Been using Emulation Station since modding my PSC back in 2019 using the "Mod My Classic" method when BleemSync! transitioned to Project Eris (which I still use today )... It's one of the best customizable frontends for emulators on the market. I wasn't excepting to see it come to PC last year so to see it ported to Android was a welcome surprise.