Asus’s ROG Ally is the perfect portable gaming system that can run many games since it runs on Windows OS. With Windows on the hand, you can easily play games from the Epic Games Store and Steam or sideload games manually. While all that is great, some people would also like to play good old games. Games from platforms that no longer exist such as the PS1, PSP, Nintendo 64, or even the Switch.
The best way to enjoy such games is by using emulators. So, what are emulators? Emulators are little programs that are designed to make certain apps and games that are not compatible with your device’s operating system run right away. Using these emulators you can run apps and games from other consoles including new and old ones. Now, depending on the platform you want to emulate, you must choose the suitable emulator.
So, if you want to play some of your favorite old-school games on the ROG Ally, you’ve come to the right place.
Best Emulators for Asus ROG Ally
EmuDeck (All in One emulator)
If you are someone who will be emulating games for the first time, then the EmuDeck Emulator is the go-to emulator for beginners. This is an all-in-one emulator you can install on your ASUS ROG Ally. So, whether you want to play Nintendo 3DS, PSP, Switch, or even Wii U games, the EmuDeck is your best friend.
While the EmuDeck was specifically designed for the Steam Deck, you can also install it on your Windows-based PCs and your ROG Ally. There is a detailed video by Retro Game Corps that will show you how to install EmuDeck and set it up for your favorite games.
You can download and check EmuDeck by visiting its official website.
ePSXe (PS emulator)
This is a dedicated PlayStation emulator that you can install on your ROG Ally to play your favorite games that were released during the PlayStation 1 era. Now, this is the perfect emulator if you are out to do some retro gaming stuff.
One thing to keep in mind is that this is an old emulator that hasn’t been updated in a while, so before you scout the internet to download the emulator, be sure to download it from a source that is reliable.
Just having the emulator is not going to be enough. You will also have to look for the games/ROMs to play your games on the emulator. Make sure to do a quick Google search as you plan to look for these game files and download them from genuine sources. It is easy to set up the emulator.
You can check out more PS1 emulators here.
PCSX 2 (PS2 emulator)
As you can guess from the name, this is an emulator that lets you play various PS2-era games. This is an open-source emulator that has been around for 20 years. However, for this emulator to work, you will first have to get a BIOS file in order to get the emulator working and then later on get the game files to play your favorite PS2 titles on your ROG Ally.
One of the reasons why this particular emulator is very popular is because of its large library support. This PS2 emulator has support for over 2000 games. So, whatever game you plan to pick up to play on your ASUS Rog Ally, the game is guaranteed to work with this emulator.
If you aren’t a fan of the on-device controllers that are present on the ASUS Rog Ally, you can connect your favorite controller, adjust the key binding, and you should be good to go.
Check out PCSX2 by heading here.
RPCS3 (PS3 emulator)
Here is another PlayStation emulator but, this time, it’s for the PS3. Yes, there are dedicated emulators for each PlayStation console out there. This emulator is free-to-use open-source software that can be installed on various platforms such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD. Thankfully for this emulator, you don’t need to hunt for a BIOS file.
If you are a fan of the PS3 but cannot find the console from the secondary market, the emulator is your best bet. In terms of support and compatibility, the emulator can play more than 3000 games. This means you can almost enjoy the entire PS3 game catalog for years.
The RPCS3 is an emulator that is continuously being updated and worked upon so that it reaches its full potential. Also, if you have Bluetooth or wired controllers connected to your PC, you will be able to use them with this emulator.
Here is where you can get the PS3 RPCS3 emulator.
PPSSPP (PSP Emulator)
Now, since your ROG Ally is a handheld Windows PC, wouldn’t it be fun if you could also play PSP games on it? Well, thanks to the PPSSPP emulator, you can turn your ROG Ally into a PSP right away.
As a free and open-source emulator (there is a paid version that you can purchase to support the developers), this emulator is available for a ton of platforms including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and even other platforms like the Switch and Wii U. And since it is available for Windows, you can also get this emulator on your ROG Ally.
Unlike the PlayStation emulators that we have listed above, you do not need a BIOS file. Simply install the emulator and load your game/ROM. The emulator will detect it, and you can play the game right away. Considering there have been numerous games released for the PSP, there is endless gaming guaranteed.
You can check out the PPSSPP at its official website.
Other Nintendo Emulators
While the PlayStation console emulators are in plenty, did you know that there are several emulators designed to play games from various Nintendo consoles? Yes, from the good old N64 to the Game Cube and finally the Switch, are all available for you to install and enjoy on your Windows-based ASUS ROG Ally.
Whether you enjoy Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, or the Final Fantasy franchises, these games can be enjoyed on your ROG Ally. If you want to experience any switch games and the Switch isn’t officially available in your region, you can go for these emulators.
You need to note that the three Nintendo consoles mentioned have three different emulators. N64 games can be enjoyed via the Project64 emulator, Game Cube classics can be played via Dolphin, and modern Switch games via Yuzu. It can get complicated to get ROMs for these platforms, but it is possible if you search for them in the right place.
Note
- Always download emulators from trusted and reliable sources only.
- When it comes to games or ROMs, you are solely responsible for where and what you download.
- There will be little difference in terms of gameplay performance, and that is expected when you use emulators.
Closing Thoughts
This concludes the emulators you can install on your ASUS ROG Ally to enjoy classic games from old consoles. Along with the ROG Ally, you can install and play these games on almost any other Windows PC, any Windows based console, macOS and Linux.
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