PS3 style for Android handhelds: This launcher brings back Sony’s iconic menu – and just got an update

Wave gives retro gaming fans a way to bring a little PS3 nostalgia to their Android handhelds. It's a launcher that organizes games by platform and offers various features for managing game collections and playing media. What makes it special is its interface, which takes inspiration from Sony's iconic XrossMediaBar – the menu system where users navigate horizontally between categories and vertically through their contents.

Instead of launching games and emulators individually through the standard Android interface, users can organize their entire collection with Wave. Favorites and recently played titles make it easier to find games, while cover art, descriptions and additional images can be imported from various databases. There are also several useful features beyond the game library. For example, users can track achievements through RetroAchievements or view their playtime statistics. Devices with two screens, such as the AYN Thor, also benefit from dedicated layout and display options.

The update to version 1.0.4, released on October 28, primarily aims to improve usability. The launcher can now be used more quickly after startup while the game library updates in the background. Issues with launching games and displaying the collection have also been fixed. Additionally, iiDB has been added as another source for cover art, images and game information. According to a hands-on report from Retro Handhelds, even version 1.0 already worked well. Anyone with a Retroid Pocket 6, an Odin 2 Pro or another Android handheld who wants to bring back some PS3 nostalgia will probably find Wave worth trying – although earlier versions reportedly weren't entirely free of bugs, according to Reddit users.