ExaGear is a Windows emulation layer for ARM devices (Android, Raspberry Pi, etc.). It allows you to run old x86 Windows 95/XP programs directly on your phone or tablet. The problem? It’s finicky, the mouse mapping is weird, and many games crash on launch.
However, Hugo 5-in-1 is the golden exception.
Absolutely. While newer emulators like Winlator are advancing rapidly, the ExaGear Hugo 5in1 package remains the most stable, well-documented, and user-friendly way to play legacy Windows games on a phone.
The "5in1" moniker isn't marketing fluff. Having five pre-tuned engines allows you to go from playing StarCraft to Fallout 2 to Half-Life without ever editing a config file or typing a terminal command.
Final Score: 9.2/10
Where to go next: Join the ExaGear Hugo Telegram or Discord community. Users share pre-made "containers" that already have the No-CD cracks and widescreen patches installed.
Turn your phone into a time machine. Download ExaGear Hugo 5in1 today. The wasteland (and Azeroth, and Candlekeep, and Erathia) is waiting.
Most people assume you need a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to emulate Windows 98 games. False. ExaGear Hugo 5in1 is optimized to run on devices as modest as the Snapdragon 660 or Kirin 710.
Here is what happens when you tap the icon: exagear hugo 5in1
Performance metrics: The 5in1 build runs locked at 25-30 FPS (the original framerate) with zero audio stutter. Battery drain is roughly 15% per hour of playtime.
Disclaimer: The Abandonware status of Hugo games varies by region. If you own the original CDs, you have the legal right to create a backup. This guide assumes you possess original media.
Yes—with one asterisk.
I tested Rondo of Blood (Castlevania) and Gradius II. Zero frame drops. The sound chip emulation is richer than any native Android PCE emulator I have tried. ExaGear is a Windows emulation layer for ARM
| Feature | ExaGear Hugo 5in1 | DOSBox Turbo | ScummVM (v2.7) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Runs all 5 games | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (1/5) | ⚠️ Partial (3/5) | | Hardware mouse | ✅ Yes | ❌ Laggy | ✅ Yes | | Save states | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | | Audio MIDI | ✅ Perfect | ⚠️ Crackly | ❌ Recompressed | | Setup time | 5 minutes | 45 minutes | 15 minutes | | Touch UI | Custom icons | Terminal only | Stiff |
The verdict: 5in1 wins for convenience and audio fidelity.
If you want to try this, here is the recipe that works.
You will need:
Installation: