The prominent PlayStation 2 emulator for Android, ARMSX2, has released a major update introducing network multiplayer support. Version 2.6.5.1 adds Local Link, a feature compatible with the LAN and System Link modes found in dozens of PS2 titles. Available on GitHub and the Google Play Store, this update allows players to connect multiple smartphones over the same Wi-Fi network or a mobile hotspot. Online matches are also possible, though they require a direct host connection, typically configured through a VPN service.
System Link originally allowed players to connect multiple consoles on a local network, each using its own television, console, and game copy. ARMSX2 replicates this functionality across mobile devices. The host creates a session and receives an address, which other participants enter into the application to join. The development team also introduced automatic participant identifiers and room codes. Approximately 57 PS2 games feature compatible LAN or System Link modes, including Gran Turismo 4, TimeSplitters 2, Midnight Club 3, the SOCOM series, Call of Duty, Star Wars: Battlefront, and Tony Hawk.
For local matches, devices must share the same network. A smartphone configured as a hotspot eliminates the need for a traditional router, making local multiplayer accessible anywhere. For online play, since mobile and home networks frequently block direct connections, developers recommend using a VPN to simulate a local network among participants.
A subsequent release, version 2.6.5.3, added a comprehensive backup and restore tool. This feature compiles all emulator data—including virtual memory cards, save states, box art, individual game configurations, controller profiles, cheats, patches, and screenshots—into a single compressed ZIP file. This prevents users from having to reconfigure their library following a fresh installation.
The backup tool particularly benefits users who installed ARMSX2 via the Google Play Store, as the storefront restricts selecting custom data directories. Free and open-source, ARMSX2 is built on PCSX2 and features native ARM64 optimizations. Users can download the project via GitHub or Google Play. Legally, players must dump their own console BIOS and utilize backup copies of games they own.