Winlator 4 to play PC games on Android
Playing Android games on PC is usually a common practice thanks to existing emulators. However, the idea of doing the opposite, that is, playing PC games on an Android device, has always seemed like an exciting proposition to me. Winlator, version 4.0, has made this idea more accessible and effective.
Winlator is an Android application that allows you to run Windows (x86_64) games using technologies such as Wine and Box86/Box64. These tools are necessary to adapt programs developed for PCs to the architecture of mobile devices.
Winlator version 4.0 contains significant improvements, including:
- Implementation of DirectInput/XInput for Android gamepads: This means better integration and responsiveness of controls in games.
- Improvements to input controls and overall performance: These settings are the key to a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
- Solving various problems: It’s always nice to see user feedback being taken into account to improve the app.
How to Setup Winlator on Your Android
The process of installing and configuring Winlator is quite simple:
- Download and Install: You need to download Winlator_4.0.apk from GitHub, as well as the OBB file required for it to work.
- File preparation: After placing the OBB file in a specific directory, all you need to do is launch the application and wait for the installation to complete. The file is main.3.com.winlator.obb and it needs to be placed in the /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/com.winlator directory (it needs to be created if it doesn’t exist).
It’s important to note that you must have the games you want to play, as Winlator doesn’t provide them.
Gaming Experience and Compatibility
The gaming experience with Winlator may vary depending on the hardware of your Android device. Some games may require resolution adjustments to optimize performance. However, there are several games that have already been tested and work well with Winlator, such as Quake 4 or Mass Effect 2.
In the video above you can see an example of Star Wars Galactic using a previous version of Winlator.
Winlator 4.0 is without a doubt an interesting tool for those who want to explore the world of PC gaming on Android devices. While not all games may run perfectly, the improvements and compatibility offered open up new possibilities for mobile gaming.