DOOM (2016) is yet another major PC and console game getting an unofficial version for Android. The famous FPS from id Software can now be run directly on smartphones through an independent project that uses the Nintendo Switch version, bypassing traditional emulation of the console’s processor.
The news has been drawing attention from the mobile gaming community. In a recently released demonstration, DOOM appears running on a high-performance phone, with graphics similar to the original version and frame rates that can approach 60 FPS.
The result is particularly interesting because we’re talking about a game originally released in 2016 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, which until recently required relatively powerful computers to deliver a similar experience.
Doom 2016 Port – Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
byu/Majestic-Chair-4144 inAndroidNativePorts
DOOM 2016 for Android runs without traditional emulation
The big differentiator of this adaptation lies in the technology used to run the game.
Normally, anyone who wants to play modern PC or console titles on Android needs to resort to tools like Winlator, GameHub, or console emulators. These programs use different compatibility and translation layers to run games developed for other systems.
However, the project known as DOOM Mobile, developed by a programmer identified as Desm0nt, uses a different approach.
Instead of emulating the Nintendo Switch’s processor, the project takes advantage of the fact that the Nintendo console and modern Android smartphones use the ARM64 architecture.
This allows the game’s ARM64 code to run directly on the phone’s processor, with adaptations to handle instructions and services specific to the console’s system.
The graphics side also undergoes an adaptation. Calls to the NVN API, used on the Nintendo Switch, are converted to Vulkan, allowing the smartphone’s GPU to process the graphics.
In practice, there is no traditional CPU emulation, although the project still relies on a compatibility layer to reproduce functions of the console’s operating system and translate the graphics commands.
This approach can reduce part of the additional processing required to run console games on Android.
DOOM 2016 can reach 60 FPS on powerful phones
In a demonstration video, DOOM (2016) appears running on a high-performance smartphone, with fast movement, intense firefights, and three-dimensional environments similar to those found in the original version.
The demonstration highlights the possibility of running the game on a device equipped with Snapdragon 8 Elite, one of Qualcomm’s most powerful processors.
However, the performance results publicly documented by the DOOM Mobile project were obtained mainly on devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
According to the developer, a smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Adreno 750 GPU can reach between 50 and 60 FPS during much of the campaign, using a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels.
In the most demanding areas, however, performance can drop to approximately 35 to 50 FPS.
On devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Adreno 740, the documented results generally fall between 40 and 50 FPS, with additional drops in the heaviest sections.
Therefore, although performance is quite promising, it’s still not possible to state that DOOM maintains a constant 60 FPS throughout the entire campaign or that it will work the same way on any smartphone.
DOOM port for Android has touch controls and gamepad support
Another interesting feature of this adaptation is that the game received an interface designed specifically for smartphones.
The movement, aiming, shooting, and weapon-switching commands have been adapted for the touchscreen.
According to the demonstration, the command response is quite fast, allowing you to move the camera and face the demons without major difficulties.
The project also offers support for Bluetooth and USB controllers, an interesting option for those who prefer to enjoy DOOM with an experience similar to consoles.
Among the features available in the adaptation are:
- Virtual controls adapted for the phone screen;
- Support for physical Bluetooth and USB controllers;
- Aim assist and the option to use the gyroscope;
- Resolution and image quality adjustments;
- Configurable FPS limit;
- Option to enable dynamic resolution;
- Widescreen support;
- Compatibility with different Vulkan graphics drivers.
The version also includes options to reduce the game’s internal resolution, an important alternative for improving performance on less powerful smartphones.
DOOM 2016 for Android is still in development
Despite the advances, it’s important to note that this adaptation is still experimental.
The public DOOM Mobile project can already run the campaign, but it continues to receive optimizations to fix graphical issues, improve performance, and increase compatibility with different processors.
The most documented tests so far involve smartphones with Adreno GPUs. Devices with Mali, PowerVR, and Xclipse graphics may still present limitations or inferior results.
Another detail is that the project uses the Nintendo Switch version as its base, rather than directly the files from the Windows edition.
The developer also states that multiplayer is not available. The adaptation is focused on the single-player campaign, which works without the need for a constant internet connection.
It’s worth remembering that the project has no official connection with id Software, Bethesda, or Nintendo.
How to download DOOM 2016 for Android?
Those interested in following the development can access the project’s official repository on GitHub.
However, installation doesn’t work like a conventional game from Google Play.
The application does not include the commercial files of DOOM (2016). To use it, you need to own a compatible copy of the Nintendo Switch version and prepare the game files following the instructions provided by the developer.
The process also requires additional tools on a computer, so it’s still not a solution aimed at users who simply want to download an APK and start playing.
Project links:
DOOM Mobile for Android — Official GitHub
Available versions and APK download
The project does not distribute the game’s commercial content and requires users to provide the necessary files from a copy they own.
Native ports could change the future of gaming on Android
The arrival of DOOM (2016) on Android through an independent project shows how modern smartphones are increasingly approaching the performance needed to run complex PC and console games.
In recent months, the community has presented different native port and recompilation projects, seeking to reduce dependence on traditional emulators.
However, this doesn’t mean emulators are becoming unnecessary. Each technology has advantages and limitations, and many games will continue to depend on compatibility solutions to work.
The most interesting thing is that the evolution of these tools is expanding the possibilities of Android phones.
If projects like DOOM Mobile continue to advance, it will become increasingly common to find games originally created for modern consoles running directly on smartphones, making better use of their processors and GPUs.
For now, DOOM (2016) for Android remains an unofficial and experimental experience, but the results already demonstrate the potential of this new generation of adaptations.
