Anbernic RG35XX vs. RG351V vs. RG353V: Differences and Reviews 2024

Anbernic RG35XX Reviews 

The GameBoy-inspired Anbernic RG35XX is a great little retro handheld console. The 3.5-inch screen brings every game to life with vibrant color, and the controls are accurate and hit the spot. It comes with an extensive range of emulators to help you play nearly any game you want, and while the battery life could be better, you can game for up to six hours.

The RG35XX measures 3.18 x 4.6 x 0.7 inches and weighs just 165g. Half of the face is taken up by the large 3.5” glass screen which has small bezels to keep it looking fresh and modern. The screen used is lovely, it’s very bright and due to the 4:3 resolution most retro games look superb, especially Gameboy Advance games. 

Due to the RG3XX’s specs it can only emulate games up to and including Playstation 1 games. There’s no Dreamcast or PSP on this thing, the CPU and the tiny 256MB of RAM just can’t handle it, but that doesn’t make the device bad at all. This performance downgrade has allowed ANBERNIC to price this at $55.99, and that makes the lack of performance somewhat acceptable. Anbernic RG35XX is the best, cheap Retro Handheld.

Pros & Cons

Anbernic RG351V Reviews 

Anbernic RG351V is a big handheld. Its dimensions are 5.5 x 3.7 x 1.05 inches, and weighs 350g. The RG351V is ANBERNIC’s handheld that comes in a vertical form factor and houses a stunning 4:3 display. The 4:3 dimensions of the display is perfect for all of your retro games, they fit flawlessly within the display at its native aspect ratio. This is the same nearly-square aspect ratio that TV-based home consoles used until the advent of widescreen HDTVs. Using a 4:3 screen means that you won’t have black bars around the edge of the screen for a large swath the games the system’s capable of emulating.

The screen takes up 50% of the handheld, and that’s for good reason, this new display is absolutely stunning, and with the few extra pixels per inch you can really tell a difference, it’s as if it feels bigger than 3.5 inches. The display is also very bright, has incredible viewing angles and the colours just seem to pop out of the screen when playing games. 

The RG351V is the go to vertical handheld for anyone wanting a retro games consoles that can emulate up to PS1 flawlessly with a sprinkling of N64 and PSP games to go on top. But there’s no HDMI out, so playing on a big screen isn’t a possibility unless someone can get that USB-C to output to a TV somehow.

Pros & Cons

Anbernic RG353V Reviews 

Measuring around 4.9 x 3.2 x 0.8 inches (12.6cm x 8.3cm x 2.1cm) Anbernic RG353V’s slightly smaller and thinner than the Anbernic RG351V. It’s small and thin enough to fit into an average-sized pocket, but being larger than Anbernic RG35XX. A power step up from previous generations of Anbernic handhelds, adding libraries like the N64 and Dreamcast makes for a compelling value upgrade for those that have been loving their 351V but wanted a bit more. Your older consoles such as NES, SNES, Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, and PS1 will play flawlessly on this thing. 

RG353V is a dual-boot system (Linux and Android 11). This means you can essentially use the console as a (very) mini tablet of sorts to browse the net or use social media while navigating with its touchscreen. But that’s not the only features that the Android system enables as you’ll also have the Android emulators accessible, in particular AetherSX2 for PS2 emulation. In addition, since it has dual-boot with Android, this secondary slot also acts as secondary storage while within the Android side of the 353V as well. This allows you to seamlessly access your ROM library regardless of which operating system you boot into. One caveat is that the Google Play store is not pre-installed on the stock Android OS, so you’ll have to install it on your own or install apps through their individual APKs.

The rest of the hardware capabilities are great for a device in this category. It features dual-band AC wifi as well as Bluetooth 4.2 for connectivity. For ports it’s reasonably standard, with two USB-C ports, a mini-HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. One of the USB-C ports is for OTG functionality, to use with any USB accessories, and the other is for charging as well as data transfer in Android mode. 

Pros & Cons

Where to Buy Retro Handheld Gaming Consoles?

You can buy retro handheld gaming consoles at brands' official website (like Anbernic.com). You can also go AliExpress, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart.com, or Amazon.com to purchase handheld gaming consoles. 

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Anbernic RG35XX vs. RG351V vs. RG353V

Below we will look at these three retro handheld gaming consoles from top to bottom. This includes their specs, price & avaliablity, designs, pros & cons, dispaly, software, controls, features, battery life, and more!

1. By the Specs

2. Price: ANBERNIC RG35XX is the Cheapest

In terms of price, the ANBERNIC RG35XX is the cheapest of the three retro portable gaming consoles. If you want the best bang for your buck, ANBERNIC RG35XX is the way to go. However, if you want the best gaming experience with high fidelity graphics and better performance you might want to check out the RG353V. The more money you pay, the better gaming experience you get.

3. Design and Specs:  Anbernic RG353V is an upgraded model of Anbernic RG351V

Anbernic RG35XX

• Available in Gray, Transparent White, and Transparent Purple.
  

The RG35XX measures 3.18 x 4.6 x 0.7 inches and weighs just 165g. Compared to the Miyoo Mini, the RG35XX is not quite as small, but in my opinion it does feel a bit more comfortable to hold over longer gaming sessions as your hands are more free. Compared to the legendary OG Gameboy, it is a bit smaller and more pocketable.

It’s around the size of a Gameboy Pocket, or Gameboy Colour if you have one of those.  Overall I think it is a decent size, not as pocketable as a Miyoo Mini but not far off. On the front you have the usual gaming buttons. There’s no analogue sticks as you don’t really need it for the vast majority of games it supports.

On the left side is the volume rocker, and on the right we have the power and reset buttons. Followed by two Micro SD Card slots, the first is for the Operating System, and the second for storage. On the top is a Mini HDMI port for connecting it to your TV or monitor. And on the bottom is the USB Type-C charge port and 3.5mm headphone port. On the back are what are essentially left and right trigger and shoulder buttons. They are nice to rest your fingers on, and the outer buttons are easy to press. 

Anbernic RG351V

• Available in Wood Grain Color, Black Transparent, and Gray. 

The RG351V retro gaming handheld measures 5.5 x 3.7 x 1.05 inches, and weighs 350g. On the front of the retro gaming handheld is a crystal-clear 3.5 inch 640x480p IPS display. There is a D-Pad and a single clickable analogue stick. In the middle is a function button which is used in combination with other buttons to perform various functions such as accessing the menu. Below is a select and start button, and to the right are four gaming buttons.

On the back you can find left and right shoulder and trigger buttons. Moving over to the right side you can find two microSD card slots. One is for the game storage, and the second is for the operating system. There is a reset button and a power button. And finally, on the bottom, you can find two USB type-C ports. One of these is OTG-capable. And in between them is a 3.5mm headphone port.

Anbernic RG353V

• Available in Black Transparent, Grey, White, and Purple transparent. 
  

The RG353V measures around 4.9 x 3.2 x 0.8 inches (12.6cm x 8.3cm x 2.1cm) and weighing 193g. The build quality feels good and not too heavy for extending gaming sessions. The display is a 3.5 inch IPS screen with a retro gaming friendly 640×480 resolution. The RG353V is touchscreen. Standard gaming controls with classic D-Pad, dual clickable low profile analogue sticks and buttons. In the middle is a Function button which will bring up the menu or return to home depending on which OS you are using.   

The top of the retro gaming handheld has a USB Type-C port, a mini HDMI port for output to TV or monitor, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.  On the left is the volume rocker, and on the right are two micro SD card slots, one used for storage and the other for Linux OS. There is a reset button and a power button.  The bottom of the handheld console has a USB Type-C port which is used for charging the handheld.  

And on the back are your two sets of left and right shoulder buttons. The outermost two are easy to press while playing, you may be need to adjust your hands a little and hook your finger to reach the inner button without pressing the outer one as well. 

4. Portability: Anbernic RG35XX is the Winner

In terms of ergonomics, all three devices have their fair share of advantages, but we find the Anbernic RG35XX to be the most handheld-friendly and convenient to carry while traveling. It is, in fact, the lightest and smallest of the three. You'll immediately feel the difference just by lifting up the three devices one after the other.

5. Features: Anbernic RG353V Has the Most Features

The Anbernic RG353V has 2GB’s of RAM and features the ability to have Linux and Android as your operating system, whereas the RG35XX and the RG351V just Linux as its operating system. The Android OS features some extras that adds to the overall experience of using this device.

And the touchscreen is a delight to use, and helps with general Android setup, ANBERNIC has also added some shortcuts that allow you to jump between menus and switch your ABXY button layouts on the fly. There’s also a Nintendo and Xbox button that changes up the A/B orientation, depending on what gaming style you like to use and if you prefer switching it between certain consoles.

If you have sufficient budget, I highly recommend upgrading to the base “RG353V”, it comes with enough upgrades to make the increased price worth it.

6. Performance: Anbernic RG353V Strikes Again

Anbernic RG35XX

Due to the RG3XX’s specs it can only emulate games up to and including Playstation 1 games. There’s no Dreamcast or PSP on this thing, the CPU and the tiny 256MB of RAM just can’t handle it, but that doesn’t make the device bad at all.

I found myself levitating towards the best Gameboy Advance games on here, the 4:3 display helped immerse myself into the world of Pokemon, and although the device is small, the screen feels big compared to the overall real estate.

The same goes for NES, SNES, Neo Geo and Game Gear, the screen makes it a pleasure to play on, the colours are strong, there’s no issues with frame rates or screen tearing and the speaker is loud enough to keep things nostalgic.

The best Playstation 1 games also had very little issues, it ran as it should and the 3.5” screen did well, although some text were a little small in some games, but that’s it really.

Anbernic RG351V

That’s exactly what the RG351V emulates well. Gameboy, Mega Drive, Wonderswan, NES, SNES, Game Gear, and so on. For those wanting to play on more power hungry consoles like Dreamcast, Nintendo DS, N64, PSP and so on, you maybe a little bit disappointed. Dreamcast doesn’t run too well, with frame rates dropping drastically, the same goes for Nintendo DS. N64 games run pretty well on here too, but don’t expect to play large 3D games like GoldenEye, there’s just no chance.

This is the go to vertical handheld for anyone wanting a retro games consoles that can emulate up to PS1 flawlessly with a sprinkling of N64 and PSP games to go on top.

Anbernic RG353V

Available in Black Transparent, Grey, White, and Purple transparent. 

Your older consoles such as NES, SNES, Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, and PS1 will play flawlessly on this thing. I actually had a very pleasant experience with PS1 gameplay. The dual analogue sticks felt nice to play on, and the 4:3 display made it look very organic.

When I moved onto PSP emulation most games worked well, but larger games like God Of War will require some tinkering, and maybe even switching to the Linux OS for slightly better performance.

And the same goes for Dreamcast. Many Dreamcast games worked okay on the Linux side, but not so good through the Android operating system, so this will require some tinkering within the settings. So for those wanting to buy this for PSP and Dreamcast emulation you may want to wait out.

7. Battery Life: Anbernic RG351V Has Biggest Battery Capacity

• RG35XX with 2100 mAh up to 5 hours depending on usage;
  

• RG351V with the bigger 3900mah battery up to 6 hours depending on usage;

• RG353V powers the device is a 3200 mAh battery, which Anbernic has stated will last up to 6 hours of usage.
  

Of course, your mileage will vary depending on how much horsepower your gaming demands. You’ll be likely to have much more battery time out of easy tasks like NES or Genesis emulation than you would out of the more challenging N64 or Dreamcast.

Verdict: Which One Is Best For You?

Anbernic RG35XX is certainly one I can recommend to those wanting to buy their first handheld emulator. It typically comes pre-loaded cutting out the fuss of having to install your own ROMs, it has a nice 3.5” screen opening it up to older adults who don’t want tiny screens, it lasts a good couple of hours on a single charge and the menus are incredibly to understand, making it a good started device for children. And that’s where I think this handheld sits on the market. It’s for beginners only. It lacks performance, build quality and ergonomics to recommend this to the average handheld consumer, but the price tag makes it a great first buy for those new to the market.

Friends who have more expectations for retro handheld gaming consoles will definitely consider RG351V and RG353V. RG351V is a good overall size but have still heard of some saying they get cramped hands during longer sessions. So if you have big hands these devices might not be for you.The RG353V is slightly smaller so more pocketable and faster. Both support custom firmware which is a bonus, but the RG353V is slightly faster. I think given the RG353V is only a tad smaller than the RG351V yet faster, has HDMI out and Bluetooth support, with two systems (Linux & Android) - you'd have to lean toward the RG353V. And The RG353V over RG353VS irrespective of Android has 2GB RAM which will improve emulation for more needy titles.

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