The team known for developing the highly-regarded ARMSX2 emulator for Android has now launched its version of a PS1 emulator. The app, ARMSX1, arrived on August 4, 2026, and serves as the companion project to the already popular PS2 tool. Early reports highlight that ARMSX1 includes many of the user-friendly features seen in ARMSX2, such as a flexible touch interface, support for custom themes, and the ability to sync memory cards. Still, the app is described as being in a very early stage and lacks the polish that more seasoned alternatives currently offer.
Features and current performance
ARMSX1 delivers several impressive features. It includes a rewind function that allows users to rewind gameplay between five and sixty seconds, which is helpful during tricky sections. The app also supports RetroAchievements, a feature that adds achievements to gameplay. Cheats can be integrated as well. Graphical flexibility is a major focus, with options for custom resolutions, frame-rate caps, and frame-skip capabilities. Users can even tweak display settings like screen size and aspect ratio. However, the performance of the emulator is still inconsistent, with some titles running flawlessly and others experiencing major issues.
For now, some games work reasonably well. Titles like Ace Combat 2 and Soviet Strike boot and play without issue, showing off smooth performance. Others, like Bust a Move 4, suffer from controls that don’t respond properly during gameplay. Worse still, attempts to launch certain games, such as Colony Wars Vengeance and Gran Turismo, result in the app crashing outright. These stability issues are a sign that ARMSX1 is still in the early phases of development.
Stability and future expectations
Despite these hiccups, ARMSX1 shows potential. The developers acknowledge that the app is not yet stable and encourage users to try more polished options like DuckStation and ePSXe for a reliable experience. This pattern is similar to what happened with ARMSX2, which was rough in its early stages but improved dramatically through constant updates. Fans of the original project are optimistic that the same kind of progress will apply to ARMSX1. The app already has a strong foundation and a roadmap of features, suggesting that it could grow into a top-tier option in the future.