Anbernic RG Arc D Review with Cam and Capture footage | Anbernic Arc | Arc S

Here's my review of the Anbernic Arc! I used a lot of direct capture at the Arc's native resolution, be sure to view at 60fps. Anyhoo, you've probably seen a bunch of reviews of the Anbernic Arc at this point. Here's another one! I have a few things to say about it I haven't seen before, but obviously I haven't seen every review so someone may have mentioned these things by now. Check out both cam and direct capture footage. I focus on Sega games, but may do a second sort of showcase video so you can see lots of different systems running on it.
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#anbernic #anbernicarc #handheld #android #linux #arkos #emulation #classicgaming #retrogaming #videogames #sega #genesis #megadrive #saturn #segasaturn #segagenesis #arcade #emulators

[@sambird7]

People worrying about Saturn performance should know that the Retro Arena custom firmware currently in bera for this device has MUCH better Saturn performance.

[@InglebardGaming]

I'm keeping my eye on it and might show how well it works when it's a little more complete and a bunch of issues with the current versions are ironed out. It's great to see some early development for the Arc, though, hopefully they'll be a good selection of custom firmwares down the line.

[@MrEightfortytwo]

There's a ton of issues with the RA CFW, it's not better.

[@MrEightfortytwo]

Android side is horrible too. Hope something gets going for this device because as of now it's just a nice feeling Sega controller brick to me.

[@InglebardGaming]

Yeah, I decided to hold off on it after checking it out over the last few weeks. It seems like there's a good level of interest in the Arc at least, so I'm sure there'll be a few good custom firmware options before too long. And I do know about the Jelos and some other CFW related drama.

[@MrEightfortytwo]

@@InglebardGaming The form factor is amazing, we just need a good firmware.

[@dark2deeds]

I got the arc s loving it I reckon its the best retro handheld I've had yet

[@user-wq4wv9ye9r]

There is a setting in retro arch that fixes the simultaneous button presses on Android that you mentioned in double dragon.

[@ianfisch7289]

I think it's a great purchase for CPS1, CPS2, CPS3 or any 2d Capcom Saturn fighters. More retro systems need to have the 6 button layout!

[@InglebardGaming]

Definitely! It's a pleasure to play them on this.

[@alfredocanas6802]

I've been holding my money to buy a new retro handheld, the 6 button layout is ideal for retro fighting games but I guess I'll pull the trigger for the next Retroid RP4 Pro, looks promising.

[@InglebardGaming]

The retroid pocket 4 looks good, but it's $200 before shipping. It's really a different class of device than this one. The 4:3 screen on the Arc and the Sega-like controls make it a solid buy for fans of the controller style and more correct aspect ratios for classic games 😁 Sure, it has the few minor flaws I pointed out, but I have used this more than any other indie handheld I've bought in the last ten years and I kinda love it! Plus you can grab the S for just $78 if you're OK with missing the touchscreen, android and extra ram... which doesnt affect gameplay anyway. Personally, I'm really glad I got one of these. If there's a revision down the line that has a better SoC and some physical improvements, I'll be first in line.

[@airthrowDBT]

I have NO IDEA why it took so long for a 6 face button modern handheld

[@airthrowDBT]

The ONLY way for this layout to be better would be a clone of the neogeo pocket thumbstick

[@InglebardGaming]

Yeah, hard to believe considering there were plenty of older Genesis clone handhelds with the layout... they were just all cheap garbage. Anyway, this is great, even with the flaws I pointed out, I play games on this thing a lot!

[@airthrowDBT]

@@InglebardGaming I *HAD* tjat 6 button Genesis clone handheld! I was SO EXCITED and then the Dpad was garbage and like all Genesis on a chip clones, the sound was TRASH, I could not enjoy streets of rage at all like that. Too bad the screen was EXCELLENT and the form factor was PERFECT. UGH.

[@airthrowDBT]

​@@InglebardGamingIm probably gonna pick one up soon

[@jbmaru]

Nope, never heard of this Anbernic, and yes, this looks like the model I've been waiting for! One of the Saturn games I'd definitely love to play again is Thunder Force V. How well does it run?

[@InglebardGaming]

I haven't tried TF V on it yet, but I will. I imagine at minimum the PS1 version will run fine.

[@ozmond]

Mine will be delivered within the next couple days

[@InglebardGaming]

Nice, I've been loving it despite the minor issues I mentioned. Played it a ton!

[@MrEightfortytwo]

Brace yourself for disappointment....

[@InglebardGaming]

I wasn't disappointed, myself. I've used it way more than any other indie handheld I've ever had, and I've had these things back since the early days of GPD. If you know what the capabilities of the RK3566, what's there to be disappointed by, really? I had minor quibbles as detailed in the video, but overall I'm very happy with it.

[@MrEightfortytwo]

@@InglebardGaming I'm mostly disappointed in the firmware and interface. Anbernic has done a better job in the past. I'm aware of the chips capabilities, this just feels rushed and kind of a cash grab. They got my money so....

[@mikergale]

Thanks for the review. I, for one, would appreciate knowing which Saturn games do not run at all, even with frameskip. Do you have a list or do you know if there is a Reddit page with that info? Many thanks.

[@InglebardGaming]

I haven't seen a detailed compatibility list yet, but I've kind of been waiting for other custom OSes to be released before I mess around with testing more saturn games. The one thing I can tell you is the recently updated Saturn.emu emulator is not at all worth installing on the Arc, it runs way worse than the current options. I'll definitely revisit Saturn emulation on the Arc when I see something worth covering.

[@jamesriggs8888]

that would be cool if there was a way to make the ram off the arc d run completely off of lynx. It would get really good performance, but I am not too sure how the ram is truly distributed.

[@zalz]

what folder do i put scraped cover art in?

[@InglebardGaming]

I'm not sure, I generally don't bother with the art myself. I'd check either the subreddit or anbernic site/forums.

[@zalz]

@@InglebardGaming appreciate it man!

[@mayamanign]

This thing is amazing and I have a 512gb card filled with arcade, 32x, sega cd, genesis, saturn, dreamcast and 3DO. For some reason I cannot get 3DO to not stutter. Is there any way to fix that? No biggie as this is my main SEGA machine including all Sega Arcade games. But would be cool to play 3DO on it. :) Forget about Android. Stay on Linux, select the second theme and it looks like a mini Hyperspin. :) Also, we've been saying "Space bucks" for 15 years, glad to see someone else using it lol. I thought the resolution and colors were fine, especially for the era of games this was made for.🤷‍♂

[@InglebardGaming]

I haven't tried any 3DO stuff on it yet, not one of my favorite systems. Still, I'm going to do a follow up to this video relatively soon and I'll give it a try, maybe in more than one OS.

[@toycoma98]

Not a Sega fan and never owned any Sega anything, but the 6 button was interesting. I have a Miyoo mini plus and play a lot of fighting games like children of the atom, marvel super heroes, and all the other fighting games. I mapped the R1 as high kick and R2 as high punch and it works for me, I can press all three punch or kick buttons easily to do a special move. The buttons on the RG ARC are spaced out too much that i cant press all 3 punch or kick buttons. So I'm still thinking about getting this.

[@InglebardGaming]

Personally, I love it for fighting games. Yeah, if you want to press a whole row of buttons you have to hold your hand above the buttons instead of just your thumb, but I guess I'm used to that from the Saturn era anyway.

[@EhHold]

Games are playable right out of the box?

[@InglebardGaming]

Sort of... if you buy the version with a micro SD card full of roms. Otherwise you have to do only very minor prep... you just stick a blank micro SD card into the second slot, after less than a minute it should write all the folders you need to the card. Then you put your own roms into the appropriate system folders.

[@Alientcp]

If it comes with the memory, yes. However, there is always a high game count on any console just to "offer many games", but most of them are mame roms that are not good. If anything, you will be removing a lot of those and adding more of other consoles that dont have the complete romset. Like ps1. If you know nothing about emulation, ill work just make sure you buy it with the sd game card. If you know something about emulation, buy it without the card, then get a 256 or 512gb that is not chinese, then change the operative system and add your own games. Ill give you better performance and more settings to play with.

[@sayonarakid]

I'm very on the fence for this one. I have a miyoo mini plus that I really like, but the shoulder buttons are terrible to use. Basically make some playstation games that use them a lot a terrible experience and is basically useless for any 6 buttons fighting game. So I was thinking on get this one for this. And maybe try to play some saturn games that I liked like panzer dragoon and guardian heroes. Bu I still don't know. I don't remember how many reviews of this thing I watched and still don't know if I get one.

[@InglebardGaming]

I don't know if it'll be much help, but I can tell you I've been using this much more than I've used any other indie handheld system I've had. I've had GPD systems (G5A, the original XD), the Ordoid Go Advance, the Retroid Pocket Flip and more and I like this probably as much as all of the others combined. Been playing SOME Saturn on it, lots of games won't run well enough, but as you've seen some are OK, a little DC, a lot of arcade stuff, some SMS, Game Gear, GB, GBA and NES, love all of it with these controls.

[@sayonarakid]

@@InglebardGaming it helpeded a lot. Thanks!

[@MarginalSC]

I think the only reason I'd have to get one is to mess around with COTA some more.

[@InglebardGaming]

Overall I love it despite the minor issues I mentioned, been playing it a LOT.

[@MarginalSC]

@@InglebardGaming It does look appealing. Lotta crossover with my 350 tho.

[@PlasticCogLiquid]

I bought an Evercade VS. I kind of like it but I can't recommend it. The game collections are 95% garbage with a couple of decent games. I have a couple of RetroPi's so as much as I want to like the system it's just too weaksauce overall. This little system looks cool.

[@InglebardGaming]

I'd just got the Retroid Pocket Flip about 6 or 7 months ago, but couldn't resist this one. Despite its minor flaws, I like it a lot!

[@davidbarbosa8350]

$78 where the hell did you see that?

[@InglebardGaming]

The Arc S is $78 when you buy direct from Anbernic. The Arc D is $98. Prices are different from other stores, but there's no reason not to buy straight from Anbernic.