Vulkan Archives

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Can’t play those old 32-bit Android games on your new phone? This app can help.

The Android ecosystem has discontinued support for 32-bit applications, impacting enthusiasts of classic Android games. VPhoneOS is an app that allows users to run 32-bit applications on modern Android devices through a virtual machine. It offers a free version with access to a virtual machine based on Android 7 and a VIP subscription with enhanced features, including access to Android 10 and 12, and support for 64-bit applications. Users have successfully run several 32-bit games using the free version, though some faced installation challenges and occasional performance issues. To unlock full features, users must subscribe and enable specific developer options, which may be difficult for less tech-savvy individuals. VPhoneOS requests a broad range of permissions, raising concerns for some users. Alternatives like Parallel Space are less favorable due to advertisements and limitations. Xiaomi has introduced a framework for 32-bit apps in China, but it is not available for global models. Discussions suggest that developers are working on a 32-bit compatibility layer for modern Android devices.

BetaBeacon

August 24, 2026

PPSSPP vs Dolphin vs RetroArch Android: 127 Cores

PPSSPP is a dedicated PSP emulator that does not require a BIOS file to boot a game. Dolphin emulates GameCube and Wii consoles and requires newer Android versions for better performance. RetroArch is a frontend that loads separate cores for different systems, offering a wide range of emulation options.

BetaBeacon

August 19, 2026

Someone ported this classic Xbox 360 game to Android, and it runs on budget devices

An unofficial Android port of Skate 3, known as Skate 3 Mobile, has been released by developer Buku313 on GitHub. The port offers improved performance with a native Vulkan renderer and is playable on the ANBERNIC RG406V Android handheld device. Despite some bugs and crashes, the port delivers smooth performance at a near-locked 60fps. Users can contribute to the development of the port as it is an open-source project. It is recommended to install the port on a secondary Android device to avoid potential risks.

BetaBeacon

August 19, 2026

Pokémon Emulator for Android: 12-Step Setup [2026]

- Android version 9.0 or newer (64-bit) is required for 3DS emulation via Azahar; 6.0+ covers GBA and most DS apps. - Snapdragon 835 or better is the documented floor for 3DS titles; Snapdragon 845+ is recommended for a smooth experience. - 4GB minimum RAM is required, with 6-8GB recommended for running multiple emulators simultaneously. - At least 4-8GB of free storage is needed for ROM dumps. - A file manager app is required to navigate to app-specific storage folders. - Own game cartridges or purchased digital copies are needed to dump ROMs legally. - A Bluetooth or USB-C controller is strongly recommended for anything past the GBA generation.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

GameLoop Emulator Setup for PC Gaming: 15 Steps [2026]

Mobile gaming has shifted towards competitive play using keyboard and mouse with titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Free Fire. Tencent's GameLoop is a popular emulator for these games, offering seamless integration and features like pre-tuned graphics profiles and key-mapping templates. GameLoop is Windows-only and based on Android 7.1. Minimum system requirements include Windows 10 64-bit, a dual-core CPU, 4GB RAM, DirectX 11 support, and 10GB free storage. The installation process involves downloading from the official site, running the installer as an administrator, and completing first-time setup. Users can adjust graphics settings, configure key mapping, and enable FPS boost. GameLoop supports multi-instance functionality and has a built-in screen recording tool. Common issues include black screens and game crashes, which can often be resolved by updating drivers and checking settings. GameLoop is free to use, but users should verify game policies regarding emulator use for competitive play.

BetaBeacon

August 14, 2026

DS Emulator MelonDualDS Just Got A Rebrand & A Lighter Sibling “For Android Handhelds With Limited Performance”

Recent developments in the DS emulation space include a significant update to the melonDualDS emulator, which has been rebranded to WatermelonDS. The new version features a revamped user interface, RetroArch shader presets, and an experimental Vulkan FastPath. Additionally, a lighter alternative called Seedless has been introduced, based on the DraStic r2.6.0.4a core and designed for modern Android handhelds with physical controls and dual-screen functionality. Sapphire Rhodonite, the developer, also plans to release a Linux version of Seedless in the future.

BetaBeacon

August 14, 2026

KONKR Pocket Advance Review: A Superb $89 Starter Android Handheld

- KONKR Pocket Advance specifications include a 3.5" LCD display, MediaTek Helio G90T CPU, 3GB or 4GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB storage, 4,000mAh battery, active cooling fan, Android 12, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, microSD card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, dual speakers, rotor vibration motor, gyroscope, and available in navy, coral, and grey colors. - The device is designed to resemble the original GAME BOY Advance with modern enhancements while maintaining a nostalgic design. - The display is a 3.5" LCD with a resolution of 960 x 640 and an aspect ratio of 3:2, suitable for upscaling GBA games by 4x. - The device has a textured matte feel, no metal or glass, and features soft, quiet buttons with a premium feel. - The Pocket Advance has a large Micro SD card slot, two speaker grills, USB-C charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and volume wheel. - The device runs on Android, offers good emulation performance for consoles like PlayStation 1, GAME BOY Advance, SEGA Game Gear, and SEGA Mega Drive. - Battery life ranges from 4 to 10 hours, with an average of around 6 hours. - The KONKR Pocket Advance is compared to the RG34XX and Pocket Air Mini, offering a competitive price, good build quality, and performance for retro emulation.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Xodus Cracks Xbox Authentication and Game Package Decryption to Bring PC Game Pass to Linux

Developers of the Heroic Games Launcher have announced Xodus, an open-source project aimed at enabling access to PC Game Pass on Linux and macOS. Launched on August 10, 2026, Xodus has successfully addressed Xbox identity authentication and the decryption of MSIXVC packages, allowing local play of Game Pass titles for Linux and macOS users. Currently, the only way to access Game Pass on non-Windows devices is through Xbox Cloud Gaming, which requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and introduces latency. Xodus employs a layered architecture, including an Xbox Authentication Library (xal-rs) for managing Microsoft account sign-ins and license verification, and a reimplementation of the xgameruntime.dll for license checks and Xbox service access. The project can retrieve MSIXVC game packages using a valid Game Pass subscription and decrypt executables for local storage. However, it does not yet support UWP-based titles and lacks a user-friendly interface for general users. The project is under pressure due to Microsoft's upcoming transition to the MSIXVC2 package format, which Xodus does not currently support. Xodus is in early development with only a command-line interface available, and the team is working on emulating the GDK Gaming Services layer necessary for game initialization. The project is legal as it reimplements Xbox runtime behavior without enabling piracy, but it faces risks if Microsoft alters its authentication infrastructure.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Project Xodus Brings Native Xbox PC and Game Pass Games to Linux

Project Xodus is an open-source initiative focused on reverse-engineering Xbox PC and Game Pass titles to enable their use on Linux and Mac systems. The project has made significant progress in Microsoft authentication and package decryption, allowing Linux users to download and process Xbox subscription games locally. The team has successfully reverse-engineered Microsoft’s identity services and license verification systems, unlocking encrypted MSIXVC game files and enabling the verification of game licenses and decryption of installation packages on non-Windows operating systems. Xodus serves as a translation bridge for Microsoft’s proprietary ecosystem services, providing custom proxy libraries for games to function as if they are running in a native Windows environment. It specifically targets modern games built on Microsoft’s GDK framework, excluding older titles using the Universal Windows Platform and those dependent on kernel-level anti-cheat mechanisms. The project aims to improve access to Xbox Game Pass on devices like the Steam Deck by facilitating direct local hardware execution, reducing reliance on cloud streaming and enhancing portable gaming experiences. Community feedback has been positive, with developers actively sharing updates and engaging with inquiries.

BetaBeacon

August 10, 2026

One year of updates couldn’t save the Pixel 10’s GPU — and now the Pixel 11 is at risk

The Pixel 10 series had a troubled start with issues such as antialiasing glitches and performance drops in emulators. Google issued updates to improve performance and fix bugs. Despite improvements, the Pixel 10 Pro XL still struggles with gaming performance compared to its predecessor. The upcoming Pixel 11 series is expected to have a new GPU architecture, raising concerns about performance and driver issues.