ARMSX2 2.7.2 was released on September 30, 2026, featuring major changes to Frame Generation, the renderer, and the pipeline preparation for PlayStation 2 emulation on ARM devices. The update also debuts animated covers formed by the actual 3D icons of PS2 save files and incorporates recent fixes from PCSX2.
The release succeeds ARMSX2 2.7.1, detailed by Allves Games. The previous version introduced the ARMSX2 Turnip driver and various ARM64 optimizations. Now, 2.7.2 tweaks sensitive parts of the graphics pipeline once again and aims to reduce stuttering during the first frames of each game.
https://youtu.be/HoLue5LVMUQARMSX2 2.7.2 changes how Frame Generation works
One of the main changes is the integration with Lossless Scaling Frame Generation, or LSFG. The feature is still intended for users who have their own copy of Lossless Scaling, but it now works at a different stage of the pipeline.
Previously, Frame Generation operated on the final image at screen resolution. Now, when the game is presented without an upscaler, CAS, TV shader, or rotation, ARMSX2 delivers the image to the process at the resolution the game itself was rendered at.
This reduces the number of pixels the algorithm needs to process in various scenarios. In addition, the automatic motion detail mode now targets 432 lines and never exceeds the resolution actually drawn by the game.
ARMSX2 2.7.2 modifies the point where LSFG processes the image to reduce the cost of Frame Generation in compatible situations. Image: ARMSX2.
Overlay is no longer interpolated along with the frames
The overlay also received a separate treatment. In previous versions, text and numbers from the performance interface could end up in the image processed by Frame Generation. Because these elements change quickly, interpolation could produce blurring.
Now, ARMSX2 redraws the overlay on top of each generated frame. As a result, the monitoring elements remain much sharper.
The LSFG information line also accompanies the performance overlay and shows the GPU time consumed by Frame Generation. When the new half-precision path is active, the indicator displays fp16.
The update adds a half-precision mode for compatible GPUs and drivers, identified as FP16 in the overlay. Image: ARMSX2.
FP16 can reduce the cost of Frame Generation
Another new feature is the option Half Precision. When the GPU has adequate support, the feature runs Frame Generation shaders in half precision.
The team states that this can speed up FG on certain GPU and driver combinations. However, the feature is disabled by default. Therefore, there is no promise of universal gains across all devices.
ARMSX2 2.7.2 also brings Frame Generation to Adreno 6xx GPUs using the Turnip driver. The team confirmed it works on an Adreno 650, although they acknowledge that this GPU generation typically has little performance headroom for the additional cost of LSFG.
Additionally, the emulator now explains in the overlay and settings why Frame Generation was turned off when an issue prevents it from running. The update also fixes a bug where difficulties in writing the shader cache could silently disable the feature.
Pipelines are prepared before appearing on screen
Another important change directly affects frame pacing. Now, pipelines previously registered for each game can be built on worker threads during startup.
Previously, part of this work could happen in the middle of a frame. This increased the possibility of small pauses precisely when a new pipeline was needed.
The SPIR-V cache also now survives driver updates. According to the team, the combination should reduce stuttering in the first frames of the game and also after driver changes.
Additionally, shader and pipeline caches now load in a verified format. If ARMSX2 detects a corrupted or incompatible cache, it discards the file instead of handing it over to the graphics driver.
Heavy frames no longer wait for the GPU
The renderer received another optimization for situations where a frame's vertices exceeded the available space. Previously, the emulator could stall in the middle of the frame and wait for the GPU.
Now, the vertex buffer grows to accommodate the load. As a result, the CPU and GPU avoid unnecessary synchronization in a critical part of the rendering.
Lines also undergo a more direct conversion to pixels. In addition, a common triangle strips layout received a fast path, while certain wider GS-to-GS transfers stay on the GPU instead of falling back to the CPU.
Software renderer advances in accuracy
The ARMSX2 2.7.2 also brings a relevant claim about the software renderer. According to the official notes, the project now achieves approximately 98% pixel accuracy in most games tested by the team.
This number comes from the developers themselves and does not represent an independent benchmark of the entire PlayStation 2 catalog. Even so, it indicates the project's current focus on reproducing the console's graphical behavior with greater fidelity.
The software renderer tends to be especially useful as a reference in games featuring effects that are difficult to reproduce correctly via the GPU-accelerated path. However, greater precision does not necessarily mean higher performance.
Real save icons become animated covers
The version's most unusual visual change is named Memory Card Covers. When enabled, it replaces the conventional game cover with the 3D icon stored in the PlayStation 2 save itself.
The Animated mode plays back the movement and lighting of these models. Meanwhile, the Still mode positions the icon facing forward. The user can also allow rotation or preserve only the animation originally defined by the save.
The feature works in grid, list, shelf, and recent games sections. When no icon is available, ARMSX2 keeps the traditional box art.
Version 2.7.2 expands the options accessible via the quick menu and adds new controller settings. Image: ARMSX2.
ARMSX2 looks for icons in saves, discs, and online database
The system follows a specific order to locate the models. First, it searches for icons present in the user's own memory cards. Then, it checks the game image.
ARMSX2 can search for this data in ISO and CHD images, including when a CVM container exists. The team states that it found a usable icon in approximately four out of ten discs in its test library.
Finally, there is an optional online database. It uses the PS2 Icon Open Database and gathers 4,456 icons related to 8,234 serials. According to the team, the complete package was compressed from approximately 1.1 GB to about 62 MB.
The user can download only a title's icon, search for those corresponding to the games in their library, or get the entire set. The feature is optional.
Icon Museum preserves PS2 3D models
The update also debuts the Icon Museum. The tool allows viewing in full screen the icons found on memory cards, discs, and the online database.
Beyond the visual aspect, the function has preservation value. PlayStation 2 saves could store small 3D models with their own animations and lighting. Thus, ARMSX2 now presents these elements directly, instead of converting them only into static images.
The user can browse models, mark a favorite, and use a random function. The library also gained a screensaver that displays these icons when left idle for a configurable period.
Audio, Turnip and controls receive fixes
Version 2.7.2 also fixes an issue with surround audio. In expansion modes between 2.1 and 7.1, the stream could be incorrectly opened as mono. The system also now takes into account the device's own burst size.
For Turnip users, a new option allows controlling the UBWC indication. The team recommends leaving it disabled, except when certain recent drivers exhibit glitches on Adreno GPUs.
Touch controls received various fixes. Multitouch now works with more elements, including macros, turbo, and pressure modifiers. Additionally, the user can separately configure the sensitivity of the X and Y axes of the gyroscope.
Recent PCSX2 fixes are also included in the version
As ARMSX2 derives from PCSX2, the new version incorporates upstream changes produced between August 30 and September 25, 2026.
Among them appear fixes in the GS and texture cache, an out-of-bounds access in the VIF, DEV9 DMA adjustments, an update to rcheevos 12.5, and changes to the game and Redump databases.
The fix related to the VU recompiler flag hack was also ported to ARM64. Therefore, 2.7.2 combines ARMSX2's own features with recent work from the project that serves as its base.
ARMSX2 2.7.2 is more than a visual update
Animated covers are the most immediately visible change, yet the version's technical delta lies primarily in the renderer, cache management, and the new Frame Generation path.
Early pipeline preparation aims to tackle minor stutters during rendering. At the same time, processing LSFG at a resolution closer to the original image attempts to reduce the cost of frame generation in compatible situations.
ARMSX2 continues to be a PlayStation 2 emulator focused on ARM hardware. The project has builds for mobile devices and ARM computers and derives from the PCSX2 codebase, although it maintains several custom implementations.
The emulator does not provide commercial games or the proprietary PlayStation 2 BIOS. To use it, the user must employ their own legally acquired copy of the games and dump the BIOS from hardware they own.
Sources: ARMSX2 — official release notes for version 2.7.2; ARMSX2 — official Allves Games site; ARMSX2 — release 2.7.2 on GitHub.
