Customer Reviews (100)

Dustin sensat • 2025-03-21T21:51:49.211Z

Great emulator but since last update I am unable to add more games to my library. the + sign in top right corner is unresponsive and to my knowledge that is the only way to add games after u download to folder and extract. emulator still works great but can't add anymore games currently.

Eddie • 2025-03-20T15:53:21.799Z

ihope you will add a notch screen setting

Daniel Minor • 2025-03-17T16:33:45.121Z

Perfect Emulator

Summary of Key Insights

ePSXe for Android is a well-regarded PlayStation 1 emulator, praised for its high compatibility, speed, and ease of use. The majority of users report a positive experience, often citing nostalgia and the ability to replay childhood games as key benefits. However, there are recurring issues related to adding games, save states, controller compatibility, and occasional crashes that negatively impact the user experience. The overall sentiment is positive, but addressing these pain points would significantly improve user satisfaction. Quantitatively, the app has a strong rating distribution, with 70% of reviews being 5-star.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but assumed to be recent given the version number (2.0.17) and mentions of recent updates.
  • Analysis Methods: Primarily qualitative analysis, focusing on identifying recurring themes, sentiment, and feature requests within the user reviews. Quantitative analysis included calculating the percentage distribution of star ratings.

Key User Pain Points

  • Adding Games/ROMs: Several users report issues with adding new games to the emulator after downloading and extracting them. The "+" button is often unresponsive, limiting the number of games they can play.
  • Save State Issues: Crashes and bugs leading to loss of save states are a significant concern. Some users report save states becoming corrupted or unrecognized by the emulator.
  • Controller Compatibility: Issues with specific controllers (Backbone, generic Bluetooth) and configuration are mentioned. Some users desire better controller support and customization options.
  • Crashes and Instability: The app crashes randomly, especially after updates or when minimized.
  • Task Bar Issues: A recent update made it impossible for some users to access the Android task bar while in-game, hindering access to settings and cheats.
  • Memory Card Issues: Some users have reported issues with memory card functionality, including lost save data.
  • Screen Dimming: One user reported the app automatically dims the screen, making games too dark.
  • Game Freezing: Random game freezes, especially when entering new sections in games.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Backbone Controller Compatibility: Explicit requests for Backbone controller support.
  • Cloud Save Sync: The ability to sync save states with Google Drive for cross-device play.
  • Customizable Button Layouts: More options for customizing the button layout and size of on-screen controls.
  • Notification for Save Completion: A notification to indicate when a save state has been successfully created.
  • Notch Screen Setting: Setting to avoid issues with notch screen.
  • PS2 Emulation: Some users mistakenly believe the app emulates PS2 games and express interest in such functionality. (This may be a misunderstanding, but it's worth noting).

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • High Compatibility: Users consistently praise the emulator's high compatibility with a wide range of PS1 games.
  • Ease of Use: Many reviewers find the emulator easy to set up and use, especially compared to other emulators.
  • Performance: Good speed and performance are frequently mentioned, allowing for smooth gameplay on various devices.
  • Nostalgia: The ability to relive childhood gaming experiences is a major draw for users.
  • Functionality: Savestates, cheat code support, and hardware button mapping are appreciated features.
  • Graphics: HD enhanced graphics are a plus.
  • Simple and Complete: Users appreciate that it feels complete and simple.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix the "Add Games" Bug: Address the issue preventing users from adding new ROMs to their library. This is a critical bug that significantly impacts the user experience.
  • Improve Save State Reliability: Investigate and resolve the issues causing save states to be lost or corrupted. Implement robust error handling and consider adding backup save functionality.
  • Address Controller Compatibility Issues: Improve compatibility with popular controllers like Backbone. Provide clear instructions and troubleshooting tips for controller setup.
  • Fix Task Bar issue: Fix the issue where users cannot access the Android Task Bar while in-game.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Cloud Save Sync: Add the ability to sync save states with Google Drive or another cloud service.
  • Enhance Button Customization: Provide more granular control over button layout and size for on-screen controls.
  • Optimize Game Loading: Optimize the game loading process to avoid reloading the entire game list every time the app is opened.
  • Address screen dimming issue: Investigate the auto screen dimming issue and allow users to disable it.

Low Priority:

  • Add a save state completion notification: Add a notification to indicate when a save state is saved.
  • Add Notch Screen Setting: Add an option to adjust the screen to avoid issues with notch screens.
  • Improve Orientation Handling: Fix the orientation bug causing incorrect landscape rotation.
  • Provide clearer instructions for adding games: Some users struggle with initial setup.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Cloud-Based ROM Management: A service that allows users to securely store and manage their ROMs in the cloud, integrating seamlessly with emulators like ePSXe.
  • Universal Controller Configuration Tool: An app that simplifies the process of configuring various Bluetooth controllers for use with Android emulators, providing pre-configured profiles and troubleshooting assistance.
  • Emulator-Focused Social Platform: A social platform where users can share emulator settings, game recommendations, and save states, fostering a community around retro gaming on mobile devices.

Trends and Observations

  • Nostalgia is a Major Driver: A significant portion of users are drawn to the app for nostalgic reasons, highlighting the strong appeal of retro gaming.
  • Controller Support is Important: Many users prefer using physical controllers over on-screen controls, indicating a demand for robust controller support.
  • Update-Related Issues: Several negative reviews are linked to recent updates, suggesting a need for more thorough testing before releasing new versions.
  • Customer Support Needs Improvement: Some users report contacting customer support without receiving a reply.

Conclusion

ePSXe for Android is a popular and generally well-regarded PS1 emulator. Its strengths lie in its high compatibility, ease of use, and performance. However, addressing the recurring issues related to adding games, save states, and controller compatibility is crucial for improving user satisfaction and maintaining its competitive edge. Prioritizing these fixes, along with implementing frequently requested features like cloud save sync, will solidify ePSXe's position as a leading Android emulator.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epsxe.ePSXe