Redmi A5 highly capable of running modern retro game console emulators, such as PS2, Dreamcast, GameCube, Wii and many more. What else can you ask from a budget smartphone like this?
- This article shared the review of Xiaomi Redmi A5 smartphone – the ultimate budget Android Smartphone – on its capability running various retro games emulators.
- in case you have questions or would like me to try some other emulators or games on the Redmi A5 smartphone, do let me know on the comment section down below.
- For other interesting articles, check it out here Raspberry Pi, Linux, Windows, Xbox, PS5, Nintendo Switch, other gaming, Android, iOS, Tech or more at JILAXZONE.
- If you find this article / content inside is already obsolete, do let me know by commenting on the comment section below so that I can update the article to reflect the latest process/news. Thanks
Redmi A5 is Xiaomi new budget-king Android smartphone running Android 15 Go edition. For those who doesn’t know, since the beginning of Redmi A-series phone (it was Redmi A1), Xiaomi always packaged the A-series phone using Android Go OS – the “lite” version of Android OS. Redmi A5 is available on 2 variants: 3GB+3GB RAM with 64GB Internal memory and 4GB+4GB RAM with 128GB Internal memory. Both has dual SIM Card slots as well as MicroSD Card slot. Available in Black, Gold, Blue and Green – however color availability highly dependent on where you live.
How is Android 15 Go Edition compared to normal Android 15 Edition or Xiaomi HyperOS?
I’ve been looking to the Internet to find out the differences between Android 15 and Android 15 Go Edition that runs on Redmi A5 but found nothing other than very old articles about early generation of Android Go edition.
However, based on my own testing this far – been using the phone almost 3 weeks since I bought it and when this article is written – I can install whatever apps and games I want to install.
Another good thing of this phone running Android 15 Go edition is the navigation, opening and closing the apps and games feels super smooth and I don’t find any ocurrences where advertisement is popped up to my face (such as what’s happening on Xiaomi HyperOS).
The main reason I’m buying Redmi A5
I love to play games especially retro console games, such as those from Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo or PSX. I’ve been looking for quite some time whether to get handheld PC or retro game handheld such as those made by Anbernic or Retroid or open-sourced SCB such as R36S and its variants or Android tablet or smartphone.
Cut it short, my final choice finally came to Redmi A5. Not only it’s coming out brand new from Xiaomi (back when this article is written), but also budget friendly and spec-wise, it’s powerful enough to run retro games up to PS2 which is so much better compared to retro games handheld such as R36S or R36H.
Controllers Recommendation – Play better with Controller!
Playing retro games is always better with controller!
While you can always use the touchscreen of the phone to play the games, but for greater fun and enjoyment, I would recommend you to play the games with the Controller using physical buttons – so the experience is (almost) the same as the original. Just in case you need recommendation, here they are. I am personally using iPega 9038 (the telescopic controller), iPega 9135 (the mini Arcade controller) and DualShock 4 to play the games.
All controllers’ images shown below are trademarks of the respective owners.
8BitDo M30 | The Bluetooth controller that looks like the 6-button SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive controller. Get 8BitDo M30 on Amazon Get 8BitDo M30 on AliExpress Get 8BitDo M30 Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
8BitDo Ultimate | Telescopic Bluetooth Controller from 8BitDo. Comes with Hall Effect Joysticks and Hall Triggers. Get 8BitDo Ultimate on Amazon Get 8BitDo Ultimate on AliExpress |
Backbone Controller 2nd Generation with USB-C | The controller that uses USB-C to connect. Very handy and portable to carry around. Get Backbone Controller on Amazon |
GameSir G8 Plus | Affordable Telescopic Bluetooth Controller. Comes with Hall Effect Joysticks and Hall Triggers. The controller can be used as well for PC, iOS and Nintendo Switch. Get GameSir G8 Plus on Amazon Get GameSir G8 Plus on AliExpress |
Razer Kishi V2 | One of the best telescopic controllers for Android. It comes with USB-C connector for passthrough charging as well as better low-latency gaming. In case you need it: Get Razer Kishi V2 for Android on Amazon Get Razer Kishi V2 for Android on AliExpress Get Razer Kishi V2 for iPhone on Amazon Get Razer Kishi V2 for iPhone on AliExpress |
Razer Kishi Ultra | Another telescopic controller for Android. It can support both smartphone and tablet up to 8-inches and comes with USB-C connector for passthrough charging as well as better low-latency gaming. Get Razer Kishi Ultra on Amazon Get Razer Kishi Ultra on AliExpress |
Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller | Great controller from Xbox compatible with your Xbox (of course!) as well as Windows PC, Android and iOS, recommended for those with big hands. Read here for pairing Xbox Series X|S Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE. In case you need it: Get Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller on Amazon Get Xbox Series X|S Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress Get Xbox One Controller on Amazon Get Xbox One Controller on AliExpress Get Xbox One Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
PS5 DualSense | Awesome controller from PlayStation compatible with your PS5 (of course!) as well as Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands. Read here for pairing PS5 DualSense Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE. In case you need it: Get PS5 DualSense on Amazon Get PS5 DualSense Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
PS4 DualShock | While DualSense is the latest PlayStation controller but doesn’t mean DualShock 4 is bad. DualShock 4 is indeed one of the cheaper alternatives to get into gaming on your Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands. In case you need it: Get PS4 DualShock 4 on Amazon Get PS4 DualShock 4 on AliExpress Get PS4 DualShock 4 Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
Here’s my own setup:
Note: If you buy anything from Amazon / AliExpress using links above, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost charged on your purchases.
What are the Retro Game Emulators Redmi A5 can run and what about the performance?
I tested emulators for pretty much all available retro game consoles, handhelds and systems. However, to cut short the articles and not prolong it, what I shared below are just emulators from a more modern times, such as Nintendo 3DS, NDS, N64,GameCube, Wii, then for Sony, it’s PS1/PSX, PS2,PSP, PSVita, then for Sega, tested Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast. Reason for skipping older console: The console/handheld/game systems that comes before the system I mentioned above, are less powerful hence surely they will run just fine on Redmi A5.
Without further ado, here they are based on alphabetical order. For the record, all the tests done here is using default configuration – no changes to any settings.
| Nintendo 64 |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | Citra MMJ |
| Emulator’s download link | Citra MMJ at Github |
| Game Tested | Mario Kart 7 |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the game tested, framerates are between 45 to 60fps, but the game is still highly playable. |
| Nintendo 64 |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using Mupen64Plus-Next GLES3 core) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 3 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Nintendo DS |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using MelonDS core) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | Mario Party DS, New Super Mario Bros |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, there were few stutters during cut-scenes, but during gameplay the games run just fine. |
| Nintendo Game Boy Advance |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using mGBA core) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | Contra Advance- The Alien Wars EX, Super Mario Advance 2 – Super Mario World |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Nintendo GameCube |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | Dolphin |
| Emulator’s download link | Dolphin at Dolphin-emu |
| Game Tested | Mario Kart Double Dash, Super Mario Sunshine |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Nintendo SNES (Super Nintendo) |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using bsnes core) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | Super Mario World, Super Metroid |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Nintendo Wii |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | Dolphin |
| Emulator’s download link | Dolphin at Dolphin-emu |
| Game Tested | Mario Kart Wii, Xenoblade Chronicles |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, Stutters were happening, however games are still highly playable In case you want to emulate Wiimote and Nunchuck, refer to my article here on how to map Wiimote and Nunchuck into a controller: Setup your Android Game Controller as Wiimote and Nunchuck at JILAXZONE. |
| NEC TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using Beetle PCE core) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | Vigilante |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the game tested, it ran perfectly. |
| Sega Genesis / Mega Drive / Nomad |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using Genesis Plus GX Wide core) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | Sonic & Knuckles, Street of Rage 3, Xeno Crisis |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 3 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Sega Saturn |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using Yabause core) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | Nights into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon, Sega Ages Outrun |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 3 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Sega Dreamcast |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | FlyCast |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest Flycast on Github |
| Game Tested | Crazy Taxi, Sonic Adventure |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| SNK Neo Geo MVS / AES & Various Arcades |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using various Arcade cores) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | Shock Troopers, TMNT |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Sony PlayStation (PS1 / PSX) |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | RetroArch (using PCSX ReARMed core) |
| Emulator’s download link | Latest RetroArch on LibRetro |
| Game Tested | CTR (Crash Team Racing), Final Fantasy IX, Syphon Filter |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 3 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2) |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | NetherSX2 |
| Emulator’s download link | Direct download (patched): NetherSX2 at Archive Patch your AetherSX2: NetherSX2 patches at Github Step for patching: NetherSX2 patching steps at Reddit |
| Game Tested | Final Fantasy X-2, God of War |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, they are considerably good during game play, however lag during FMV. To use “fast” option on the NetherSX2 emulator. |
| Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | PPSSPP |
| Emulator’s download link | PPSSPP at Google Play Store |
| Game Tested | Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce, Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, they were running perfectly. |
| Sony PlayStation Vita (PSVita) |  |
|---|---|
| Emulator used | Vita3K |
| Emulator’s download link | Vita3K at Github |
| Game Tested | Dragon’s Crown, Gravity Rush |
| Performance on Redmi A5 | On the 2 games tested, Dragon’s Crown is a 2D game, while Gravity Rush is a 3D game. Both are running smoothly on Redmi A5. I don’t feel any slowdown on the compatible games I tried, although I can’t really say perfect (since the Vita3K emulator is also far from “finished” emulator, there are still glitches on many games and games that are not playable) but so far my own experience running Vita3K on Redmi A5 is excellent performance. |
Do let me know if there are specific games or retro game emulators that you want me to test run/play on Redmi A5 on the comment section down below, I will surely test it out for you.
Redmi A5 – Conclusion
So here’s the conclusions – the good, the bad and who is this phone is for.
The good about Redmi A5
All retro games emulators that I would like to play their games with, are all running. There are some hiccups on the more complex systems such as PS2 and Wii, but the games are still pretty much playable.
The phone has RAM booster feature, so while originally it comes with either 3GB or 4GB, but you can add additional up to 4GB of RAM.
The bad about Redmi A5
1) The phone supports only 4G. No 5G. But at $80, I can’t complain much.
2) There are software bugs appearing when I used the phone. But they are so far on and off, means the bugs do not always appearing/occurring. The bugs affecting these functionalities:
a) Sensor for Screen Brightness – sometimes the screen won’t adjust to the surrounding lighting condition.
b) Sensor for Rotation – sometimes the screen stuck at vertical position, hence when playing game horizontally, the game will look weird.
Who is this phone for?
Well, here some specs of the Redmi A5 to start.
It has huge screen ~ 6.88 inch.
It has 120hz screen refresh rate ~ very good for those who likes to game.
It has good enough storage, as there are 2 variants: 64GB and 128GB.
It has good enough amount of RAM memory, as there are 2 variants: 3GB and 4GB.
It has RAM booster feature, so you can add another 2-4GB of additional RAM.
It has MicroSD card slot.
It has double SIM Card slots.
It has considered big battery. 5200mAH.
It has normal headphone jack.
It charges using USB-C.
It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (I’m comparing with retro games handheld – which typically doesn’t come with these 2 features).
More importantly, it has a very affordable price for the specs and performance it delivers.
Depending on where you live, I bought the phone at the Mi Store during my visit to Malaysia. It was MYR 349 (MSRP) or if translated to USD become USD 79.79 ~ literally $80.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly phone with all those specs I mentioned above, then this phone is for you / your kids / your parents / grandparents.
So far since bought the phone for my own self, I’m happy with the performance it delivers for my retro gaming needs.
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