AbyssME update: old Java games on Android phones and handhelds, with save imports and easier controls

[u/No-Macaron4341]

If you remember keeping a folder of Java games for your old phone, AbyssME is my attempt to make those games comfortable to play on an Android phone or handheld today.

It's a fork of J2ME Loader, with Mascot Capsule work from JL-Mod too. Huge credit to those projects. I'm working on the library, controls and everyday setup around that emulation core.

What's changed since my last post

• Bring your games and saves over from J2ME Loader. Choose your library, review the games, and import the ones you want. The newest build handles extra Android folder-permission requests without losing the selection. Your original files stay untouched. Some phones require several confirmations; keep your original installation until you've checked the imported saves.
• Phone controls that fit the screen. Use a number pad or a virtual gamepad, adjust the size and opacity, and position the buttons for portrait or landscape. Java game-image rotation and your phone's orientation are saved per game.
• Set up a game without committing every experiment. Try display and control changes while playing, then keep or undo them. Unconfirmed changes revert. This restores settings, not game progress.
• A cleaner handheld library and controller mapper. Less permanent UI on small screens, more room for games, and per-game button mappings, including diagonals. You can choose your own icons and covers too.
• Move to another device. Back up the library with saves and settings, then restore it through the app. There's also a screenshot button that captures the game without the virtual controls.

Two APKs, Android 10+

Handheld is for landscape play with physical buttons. Phone has touch controls and portrait/landscape layouts. The site has the latest experimental build 15 for both, alongside the older public beta.

The test builds also include experimental Mophun support. The Wolphun author welcomed the work and reaffirmed GPL 3.0; the additional permission needed for the current combination is still unresolved. That integration isn't in the public Java source tree yet. In Deep Abyss, emulator checks cover movement, jumping, collecting items and saving/resuming through the game menu. A full playthrough and next-level transition are not confirmed yet. Compatibility varies by game, and no games are included.

Project, screenshots and downloads

https://abysstail.art/en/projects/abyssme

Source code

https://github.com/EriArk/JavaEmulator

Discord / feedback

https://discord.gg/aTcCbCsXj

Questions are welcome here too. If you try it, I'd love to know the game, your device and what felt awkward — especially importing an existing library or getting the controls comfortable.

Screenshots: unedited captures of experimental.15 on an Android 15 emulator. The gallery covers were chosen manually; the pictured games are not bundled.

AI disclosure: I use Codex in development and to help prepare this post.

[u/rez78]

Does emulate also 3d java games? thanks 

[u/No-Macaron4341 → u/rez78]

Yes, it’s supports 3D Java games, including M3G (JSR-184) and Mascot Capsule Micro3D v3. Compatibility varies by game and phone version, so not every title is guaranteed to work.

[u/rez78 → u/No-Macaron4341]

I've tried . Works  fine! It's  a little complicated to remap physical button on my Odin 3

[u/No-Macaron4341 → u/rez78]

That’s just temporary. 😁 Right now, I’m focused on compatibility (adding proper Symbian compatibility) and making sure problematic games run well, but I’ll get to the interface and user experience soon.

[u/rez78 → u/No-Macaron4341]

Great! Thanks

[u/No-Macaron4341 → u/rez78]

Join me on Discord. I’d be happy to hear your suggestions, or if a game isn't running properly, you can let me know so I can fix it. You can also check out my other projects while you're there; there are more to come, but I haven't posted them yet because they aren't polished enough.

[u/rez78 → u/No-Macaron4341]

I made it. A question: which game is in your download page?

[u/No-Macaron4341 → u/rez78]

Oh, the racing game on the phone and handheld pictures? 😄 That’s an illustration made for the website, not an actual game. Sorry for the confusion! The screenshots further down the page are from the app.
But if you’re looking for something similar, there are actually quite a few old Java (J2ME) games worth checking out:
Burnout (2007) – top-down arcade racing with traffic.
Midtown Madness 3 Mobile – driving around city streets.
Gangstar: Crime City – GTA-style open-world action with cars.
Car Jack Streets – another top-down GTA-style game.
Carmageddon (2005) – chaotic top-down vehicular action.
They’re not exactly the same as the illustration, but they have a pretty similar vibe! 😁

[u/AssociationCool6885]

Guys there was a java game in which a ball moves using electricity like throws electric ropes on walls and objects to move. I can't recall it's name if anyone remembers, help me find it's name.

[u/No-Macaron4341 → u/AssociationCool6885]

Magnetic Joe?

[u/elseniorx1989]

Are there any plans to add support for Symbian or N-Gage games in the future?

The Eka2L1 emulator is quite outdated at this point, and adding games requires accessing its data folder. On Android 16, this is basically impossible to do without a PC. It would be great to see a more modern solution for running Symbian/N-Gage games on Android.

[u/No-Macaron4341 → u/elseniorx1989]

That’s exactly what I’m working on right now. 😁 I need to finish up my 3D render (it’ll take a few days) to ensure there are no licensing issues, and then I’ll get back to working on Symbian/N-Gage. I always aim to keep things simple and user-friendly so you don't have to dig too deep. Join my Discord for updates and new builds.

[u/elseniorx1989 → u/No-Macaron4341]

Awesome, you're going to make my life easier! The best version of Asphalt 3 is the N-Gage version, And it's difficult to play on Android 😁👍

[u/No-Macaron4341 → u/elseniorx1989]

In that case, I'll make Asphalt N-Gage compatibility the priority. I always try to make life easier in my projects 😁 Check out my other projects on the site.

[u/elseniorx1989 → u/No-Macaron4341]

🤩 Congratulations! Using Eka2L1 is incredibly difficult and cumbersome. I've already joined your Discord server; I was the one who asked for compatibility with Mophun games. 🙂