NetherSX2’s newest update offers Android die-hard fans a chance to replay classic PlayStation 2 games properly. Version 2.1 fixes many visual problems in previous builds and makes shadow play run better in a bunch of online games (for example, GTA: San Andreas and MGS3: Subsistence)! Other high-profile games that now play smoother include the Jak and Daxter franchise as well as TimeSplitters. Trixarian, the developer of the 16BPP function, which is apparently responsible for many issues, has made changes that address the most frequent complaints and has also optimized further for performance on modern hardware.
What is being fixed in NetherSX2 2.1 and why it matters
Emulators are balancing acts between speed and accuracy, where small tweaks can have unforeseen consequences. Users who upgraded to version 2.0 experienced broken shadows, texture seams, and post-processing issues in games that had previously worked fine. The renderer changes also affected some ROM hacks, making games look radically different. Version 2.1 addresses these concerns with tweaks made specifically to the renderer, and it should feel like the original product again.
In the Jak series, it removes long-standing edge cases surrounding depth handling and alpha testing to clean up foliage, particle effects, and HUD elements. In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the patch addresses visual issues that emerged in reflections and specific cutscenes. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence fixes flickering and has fully working rendering, with stealth sequences that heavily rely on accurate shadowing and fog behaviour.
In addition to bug fixes, the release rolls in some shiny new widescreen and no-interlacing patches. These are community changes used by many PS2 fans to improve picture quality and minimize high-refresh shimmering on Android panels. The new Controller DB now provides better default mappings for popular Bluetooth gamepads, leaving less to be set up manually by users.
Two builds, two strengths: which NetherSX2 2.1 APK to pick
NetherSX2 2.1 comes in two APKs, each based on a different code snapshot from the AetherSX2 source. The divide exists because the original Android fork was closed-source, with deep architectural changes. The maintainer therefore provides different builds that are targeted based on the games each user has and the device they’re using, allowing players to pick a build that suits them.
By and large, 4248 is the recommendation. It has special tweaks for games that run on the Snowblind engine (read: Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance) and more refined behaviour with Ace Combat games and the Jak series. If you’re into action-adventure and RPG staples, then 4248 should be the safe option — it delivers much more stable rendering here, in addition to consistent frame pacing.
Build 3668 is based on an older branch but still has value for racing enthusiasts. It works well with some NASCAR and Colin McRae Rally titles and can help avoid rendering issues that lead to Vulkan crashing on certain older Mali GPUs. If you’ve got a device with an older Mali graphics stack, or are mostly playing racers, 3668 may provide a smoother experience.
One big caveat: you can only install one build at once, and save data is not compatible between them. Back up your saves before switching and commit to the version that best matches the majority of your library.
Compatibility notes for all readers and Android devices
Neither 2.1 build supports texture packs made in 2024 or later. This is due to a change the PCSX2 project made: the naming of dumped textures in newer packs. For now, stick to legacy packs, or run games with their original assets until the Android build catches up to those revisions.
Controller DB refresh: The new Controller DB adds detection for a variety of common pads, including DualSense, Xbox Wireless Controller, and various 8BitDo models. For players, that means fewer mismatched buttons and vibration that works more predictably in tandem with analog ranges, without delving into advanced settings.
Where that leaves Android PS2 emulation today
Android PS2 emulation is still influenced heavily by the legacy of AetherSX2 and PCSX2’s upstream advancements. In the frozen closed-source world of AetherSX2, maintainers such as Trixarian are shipping pragmatic fixes rather than wholesale rewrites. An ongoing project, ARMSX2, is working to port some modern PCSX2 features to Android (which is in heavy development, mind you), but as of right now the best performance on phones all comes from tuned builds like NetherSX2 2.1.
Actual results will vary due to system conditions, software, and end-user settings. Recent Snapdragon and Dimensity flagship SoCs will typically run a large portion of the PS2 library at full speed, while midrange gear especially stands to gain the most from the visual overrides and increased stability on offer here. If you’ve got GTA: San Andreas, MGS3: Subsistence, or the Jak trilogy on your playlist, then this is an easy double-thumbs-up selling point.
So, for those that care, the lesson is this: pick a build based on your games and hardware, test before dropping your saves over to it, and keep an eye on the wider PCSX2 ecosystem. The latest edition turns the spotlight back to where it belongs — faithful visuals and strong performance in Android’s most popular PS2 emulator, alongside the reigning champion of PlayStation 2 emulators on smartphones.
