Anbernic RG35XX Plus Review

Design and Build Quality

The Anbernic RG35XX Plus is available in three colors: Transparent Black, Gray, and White, catering to different aesthetic preferences. It features a robust build with a 3.5-inch IPS full viewing angle screen, ensuring durability and visual appeal. The device feels solid in hand, with responsive and tactile buttons that provide a satisfying click. The D-pad is well-positioned, allowing for precise movements during gameplay. The ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended gaming sessions, making it a pleasure to use for long periods.

Performance

The RG35XX Plus is powered by an H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU running at 1.5GHz and a dual-core G31 MP2 GPU. This combination delivers smooth performance across a wide range of retro games, handling emulation of consoles up to the PlayStation 1 with ease. The 1GB LPDDR4 RAM ensures efficient multitasking and quick loading times. While it may struggle with more demanding systems like the PlayStation Portable or Nintendo 64, it excels in 8-bit and 16-bit gaming, making it perfect for fans of classic titles.

User Interface

The user interface of the RG35XX Plus is intuitive and user-friendly, featuring a clean and simple menu layout. Navigating through the game library and settings is straightforward, with clear icons and easy-to-read text. The inclusion of customizable themes allows users to personalize their experience. Additionally, the interface supports multiple languages, including Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, making it accessible to a global audience.

Battery Life and Charging

The RG35XX Plus is equipped with a 3300mAh Li-polymer battery, offering approximately 8 hours of gameplay on a single charge. The device charges via a USB-C port, which is a welcome upgrade from the micro-USB ports seen in older models. Charging time is reasonable, taking around 2-3 hours to reach full capacity with a 5V/1.5A charger. The long battery life ensures that users can enjoy extended gaming sessions without frequent recharges.

Display Resolution

The handheld features a 3.5-inch IPS full viewing angle screen with OCA full lamination and a resolution of 640×480 pixels. The screen is bright and vibrant, with excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles. The resolution is perfect for the games it emulates, providing sharp and clear visuals. The inclusion of an IPS panel ensures that the display remains visible even in direct sunlight.

Storage and Expansion

The RG35XX Plus comes with a 64GB TF/MicroSD card, which is sufficient for a substantial library of retro games. Additionally, it supports dual TF card slots, allowing users to expand their storage up to 512GB. This flexibility ensures that users can carry an extensive collection of games without worrying about running out of space. The device is compatible with 64GB SD cards containing 5000+ games and 64GB + 128GB SD cards compatible with a total of 13000+ games.

Wireless and Connectivity Features

The device includes 2.4/5G Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, which is a significant enhancement over its predecessors. Wi-Fi enables features like over-the-air firmware updates and multiplayer gaming, while Bluetooth allows users to connect wireless controllers or headphones, providing a more versatile gaming experience. It also supports HDMI output to TV, 2.4G wireless and wired controller connections, and Bluetooth handle connection.

Sound

The RG35XX Plus is equipped with a high-fidelity speaker that delivers clear and crisp audio. While it may not provide a rich, immersive sound experience, it is more than adequate for handheld gaming. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack allows users to enjoy a more private and enhanced audio experience.

Operating System and Emulation

Running on a Linux 64-bit operating system, the RG35XX Plus offers a stable and efficient environment for emulation. It supports over 30 kinds of simulators and allows users to download games in relevant formats. The pre-installed emulators are well-optimized, and the system allows for easy addition of new emulators and ROMs.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Nostalgic, ergonomic design
  • Solid build quality
  • Smooth performance for retro games
  • Intuitive user interface
  • Long battery life with USB-C charging
  • Vibrant IPS display
  • Expandable storage with dual TF card slots
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Wide emulator support
  • HDMI output and streaming capabilities

Cons:

  • Struggles with more demanding emulations
  • Single speaker sound quality is average
  • Limited to retro gaming; not suitable for modern titles
Conclusion

The Anbernic RG35XX Plus is a fantastic handheld console for retro gaming enthusiasts. Its combination of solid design, smooth performance, and extensive emulator support makes it an excellent choice for those looking to relive their favorite classic games. While it may not handle more demanding titles, its strengths in 8-bit and 16-bit gaming, along with features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and HDMI output, make it a standout device in the retro handheld market. If you’re a fan of nostalgic gaming, the RG35XX Plus is well worth considering.

Anbernic RG35XX Plus Technical Specifications

Anbernic RG35XX Plus Technical Specifications

Specification Details
Color Transparent Black/Gray/White
Screen 3.5-inch IPS full viewing angle, OCA full lamination, 640×480 resolution
CPU H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, 1.5GHz frequency
GPU Dual-core G31 MP2
RAM LPDDR4 1GB
Storage 64GB TF/MicroSD, dual TF card slots, maximum 512GB
System Linux 64-bit
WIFI/Bluetooth 2.4/5G WIFI 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2
Games Supports 30+ kinds of simulators, supports users to download games in relevant formats
Language Support Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish
Speaker High-fidelity speaker
TF Card 64GB SD card (compatible with 5000+ games), 64GB + 128GB SD card (compatible with a total of 13000+ games)
Battery Li-polymer battery 3300mAh, lasting 8 hours
Charging 5V/1.5A
Other Functions Support 2.4G wireless and wired controller, Bluetooth handle connection, HDMI output to TV, Vibration motor, WIFI online pairing, Streaming
Accessories USB charging cable, Giftbox, User manual, Screen protector
Box Specifications Length: 15.5 cm, Width: 9.9 cm, Height: 3.8 cm, Weight: 0.309 kg
Console Specifications Length: 11.7 cm, Width: 8.1 cm, Height: 2.2 cm, Weight: 0.186 kg