Anbernic RG353V In-Depth Review

[@tomjohnson4915]

Just bought an rg353v. My first device. Love it. One user case you could think about is one handed play for turn based RPGs. Swap the movement controls to the right hand stick. Amazing for casual game play on the go. Thanks for your review and all your videos. Really helped me pick my device.

[@usernamefromhell]

Great to see Anbernic returning to a nice affordable pricepoint

[@RetroGameCorps]

Yes, I hope they "stay in their lane" and focus on what they do best -- well-made cheap handhelds.

[@ekinteko]

@@RetroGameCorps To be honest, I feel like overall this is still overpriced. This should be a USD $99 device shipped. They're justifying everything as "inflation" which might be okay, but it leaves them open for another competitor to surpass them easily and establish themselves as the better brand in consumer eyes. Perhaps their business model would be better if they streamlined their products. That way they can focus on quality, and on costs of scale. Then higher prices would be justifiable. Maybe they should go with a portfolio like: - Small (12:9, 480p, 2GB/16GB, $100) - Medium (14:9, 540p, 4GB/32GB, $150) - Large (16:9, 720p, 4GB/64GB, $200). With devices all sharing the same components like Chipset, Software, buttons and joysticks and plastic molding.

[@devious2172]

@@RetroGameCorps I like that this new model has built in wifi but seems to be a little large compared to something like the 280v or Miyoo mini. Do you have any recommendation for something really pocketable but with built in wifi?

[@jtfernandez5594]

@@devious2172I think Rg351m would be the smallest option. Also it's pixel perfect for gba.

[@Autotrope]

VS version of this is even more affordable and still does most of what is discussed here particularly if you're open to trying out other firmwares/OSes. I think that android and its extra storage and ram requirements is a line that separates low cost devices from those that cost a little more, and this device has a model that fits on both sides of that line due to the V and VS models.

[@MrMegaManFan]

As much as I appreciate these videos (I'm a subscriber after all) it feels like all of these handheld retro device makers release one iteration after another months apart. It would be like if Apple released the iPhone 14, then a 14.1 with more RAM, then a 14.2 with improved battery life, then a 14.3 with a brighter screen, then a 14.4 with...

[@SuperKokuJin916]

Wait...Isn't that ACTUALLY what Apple does?! 🤔😂

[@derp195]

It'd be more like Apple releasing an iPhone, then a flip phone version, then a brick with a slide out keyboard, etc. Form factor is important to me, so I don't really understand the people who complain so much about the number of iterations. Get what appeals to you, and just be glad you had options.

[@ozmaphase2]

@@SuperKokuJin916 generally, no. They release new iPhones every year with slight modifications, which I’m pretty sure is even worse, as they’ve had more time to improve things. 😂

[@TeenieTinyTina]

Yeah, the handheld market is so saturated …

[@nickydee569]

That's all Chinese tech

[@dracquiteur.4730]

That final way to decide whether the device is suited for your needs or not is genius. Made me realise it's not entirely what I want. I guess what I want is the size and boxiness of this device in the horizontal orientation of the SNES-like counterpart.

[@TheSfaok]

Yeah for me it’s exactly what I want. A substitute for the Analogue Pocket which would cost me €380 to get where I live.

[@BaconEater9045]

Also love the Buying Game! Very nice breakdown of different priorities for different audiences.

[@redfox1187]

I agree! Even after watching the review, it's sometimes difficult to digest all that info to make a decision. I really hope to see more "Buying Game" Portions to cap these reviews! Great work!

[@amristar736]

I stopped buying these emulator handhelds. I know what I want now. I want a gaming tablet that can play PS2 emulator. And I want the Lenovo Legion Y700. This December, I'm taking it home

[@aceman1126]

So you want a retroid pocket 2+... ?

[@Wario_Kart]

I preordered right away, this is like the next more powerful rg300 we all wanted

[@ozzycallooh]

Since watching your review I went ahead and ordered an RG353V of my own, and so far I love it! It's the first retro game device I've ever owned. Thanks for making such an informative video :)

[@daireogorman8596]

Are there many pre installed games on this because I'm on the fence on buying it?

[@kodacvisualz]

@@daireogorman8596did you ever get a reply? I’m curious to know as well

[@machoprieto5763]

7 month review ?

[@ozzycallooh]

@@kodacvisualz I think it depends on the SD card you get with it, but there were a ton!

[@ozzycallooh]

@@machoprieto5763 I still quite enjoy it! it's even nice for some modern android games, even plays some roblox games

[@jimmerseiber]

I'm so happy I can use my jelos rg353p cards in this! I did NOT expect you to try it and I'm so glad you did. I have 1tb on that so being able to swap already finished cards is amazing. Can't wait to get my atomic purple! This is the perfect size to me and I love the trigger. I like both vertical and horizontal layouts, so I'm so glad I got both of these devices..as well as the miyoo mini for customization and travel! Thank you so much for all of your videos.

[@MarkTheMagnificent]

I know this device is a little older by now but I just ordered one and I'm really excited for it to get here in a couple days. I've been using my rg351v a lot lately, but it's going to be so nice having a little more room in my pocket and a little more power. And I'm excited to see what an android experience will be like in this form factor. I debated going with the rg405v but it's just so big (and, in my opinion, ugly to look at) and for things like gamecube and ps2, I have my Steam Deck for that. This is gonna be the perfect handheld for me right now.

[@piplup10203854]

One of my favorite things about your channel is how you discuss what the device is most similar to with visual aids, as someone who has difficulty actually understanding scale and so that helps immensely in terms of where these devices actually fall into and if they're worth bringing around the day to day life. I been loving the Miyoo Mini and I'm super glad I got it. I'd like to play Dreamcast so I got that Retroid Pocket 2+ but I tend to gravitate to the smaller devices. I just got another Funkey S cause I gave mine to my niece and I missed it, she loves it since she is only a few years old and likes tetris she's very very good at stacking so I thought she would like it and she loves it :)

[@TRVE.]

Hi, Dreamcast-brother! What handheld game console (or just CPU) is better for Dreamcast emulated (especially for Dead or Alive 2 and Shenmue 1-2, ofc)?

[@chronossage]

With how perfect the Miyoo mini is (atleast to me). I'm pretty sure next really big handheld is going to be the one that can pull off the PS2 era stuff both well and reasonably portably. I feel like that's what everyone is waiting for since just about everything can play PS1 and earlier now both portably and cheap.

[@Michel-Graillier-fanclub]

Zzzz

[@koffing2073]

any smartphone can do it

[@SpikeStarkey]

> Ps2 era stuff So... the Odin?

[@chronossage]

@@SpikeStarkey Yeah something like the Odin which at the moment is kind of large and expensive. The next big frontier is probably going to be handhelds that can handle the systems past ps1 since anything and everything can do the old consoles now. It's also probably going to end with ps2/gc/Saturn/3ds for a while since after that is 360/ps3 and full computers are still having problems with those. We're going to need steam deck 2 for those which is beyond cheap SBCs.

[@Michel-Graillier-fanclub]

@@chronossage Odin is a piece of crap so is the steam deck and gpd XP, they feel like playing a 12 sized shoe, too damn clunky, i rather bring and play on a laptop. the best portable this year is the 353v which is actually playable , and compact, the miyoo mini sucks... 512gb ram...

[@ezrabutworse5626]

I just need to say how much of a help you are for me, I was just waiting on the edge of my seat until you posted this because I know that you will review it in depth so I can have better clearance before I buy it. Yet another good one Russ!

[@RetroGameCorps]

Thanks for watching, and glad it was helpful!

[@jay.B]

Man the "should you consider" segment near the end of this video is such a good helper for people struggling with deciding this purchase. Producing quality stuff here! Subbbbed.

[@CSHummer]

Russ, I really love the way you compared these devices. The venn diagram and the checklist point system at the end are top notch. I often get bogged down by technojargon in vids. I have no reference point. But when you compare devices with this venn diagram, it is INSANELY helpful. I would love to see similar comparison videos made for other companies like Retroid. But also, I would love to see you compare products in this way from different companies, ie compare a few vertical handhelds or landscape handhelds to each other.

[@anxietyrecoverycom]

Wow this was SUPER helpful review. Just what I needed to watch to decided on this purchase on temu.

[@rsanchez9865]

Great video. I'm new to all of this and just got my RG351v in black last week. I also purchased a Retroid 3 (Orange) that's on a slow boat from China. Your guides and vids are a tremendous help in stream lining my experience with the 351v. Thanks

[@RetroGameCorps]

Happy to be of help!

[@scottjl]

Just got my RG353V in today. It's a nice unit, probably not for everyone, but I like it. Will replace my Miyoo Mini and 351V. I do agree the right stick is probably useless, the D-Pad and buttons have great snap to them and the plastic definitely has a 'quality feel' to it. These units just get better over time.

[@jamiemorgan3649]

I use the second stick for hotkeys, works great for that purpose.

[@TrevHolland]

I got negative 2. Already have a couple 351 devices but, since the Miyoo Mini, I've realize that I value pocketability and ease of use over almost everything else.

[@RetroGameCorps]

Sounds like you are already well covered!

[@TrevHolland]

@@RetroGameCorps We'll see. That Anbernic Mini has me curious!

[@ekinteko]

@@TrevHolland Would you find the Retroid Pocket 3 as pocketable? Or consider it as NOT pocketable?

[@TrevHolland]

@@ekinteko I would consider it an android device. And I don't care for those. :P I honestly have no idea what the size is of that one, though, so I'm not sure how pocketable it is.

[@ekinteko]

@@TrevHolland I only ask because with Android, you have lots of options to set up, you can make it very easy to use. Touchscreen UI and Sleep function actually works. Not to mention all the extra features (Android Games, Apps, Cloud Gaming). Most people say it is pocketable, but find it a little uncomfortable like the PS Vita Slim. So it's a balancing act.

[@joseluisruiz3789]

Perfect timing to watch the video I just made my cup of coffee too. ☕️

[@Marzimus]

Well shoot, now I need to pause and make tea...

[@ygordreyer]

Same exact thing here hahahaha

[@fryke]

Price point for the RG353VS feels perfect when taking it as what it is meant to be - the direct successor to the RG351V. And that's what I ordered it for, since the battery on my RG351V died a few weeks ago, sadly.

[@RetroGameCorps]

That's a great point about it being a successor. RIP RG351V!

[@gerardofacundo6721]

Can’t wait to follow your startup guide and start setting this up! Keep up the great work!

[@dumbzillarobo1212]

I was a bit skeptical of the RG353V at first considering it's a bit smaller and available custom firmware is still limited but it's a surprising little device. Granted, I just ordered the RG351V since it was on sale for $65 but I guess I could transition to a RG353V once everything has been figured out by the community. Keep up with the great content and I thank you for dragging me into the retro handheld rabbit hole! 🤣

[@RetroGameCorps]

Thanks for watching! It's amazing how a small size decrease can bring a meaningful difference in the hands with this one. That's a great price for the RG351V!

[@PerkinsVR]

yo where did you get the 351v for that price?

yeah I got excited about the RG353V for a moment, but after watching this video I realized it's not really enough of an upgrade if you already own the RG351V.. I'm still super happy with mine so I'm going to keep playing on it until something better comes along.

[@djbarela4]

What comes game with it ?

[@machoprieto5763]

Year later review ?

[@DogSniffing]

This video was tremendously helpful and because of it I ended up pulling the trigger on a gray RG353V after looking at the one in the video for so long. I'm beyond excited to get into this thang.

[@mistahac]

Same I just ordered the purple, can't wait :D

[@KMD-if2gm]

Same in black. Enjoy.

[@DannyTheMarvel]

Just ordered the white. Pumped 😤

[@ClaesNorin]

For me this looks quite perfect - small to bring on travel but still quite good screen size. The retro vibes of a Game Boy which I grew up with and 4:3 that fits this. Vertical might not be the most comfortable but the nostalgia is just a big plus for me. Lots of settings and features (settings, wifi, bluetooth, controls etc). I bet if the OS gets a few optimizations during the next 12 months 90% of Saturn, PSP and Dreamcast games will run smooth. I think this ticks most if not all of my retro handheld checkboxes!

[@ClaesNorin]

I think I will go for the VS - I just can't bother with Android and opening a OS that eats 1gb+ ram just to start.

[@waderyun.war00034]

Controller support is terrible and the otg port quit working almost immediately after I got mine.

[@seirin8891]

Just bought RG35XX. A little jewel this console. I'm replaying all the titles from my childhood. Only downside I've seen so far on ps1 titles is a slight audio delay and sometimes some writing in the subtitles is like missing pieces of letters.

[@GlitterGoose]

I really like the concept of the Buying Game at the end of your video. I have a woodgrain 351V and was thinking about getting this, but help me realize that it's more of a lateral movement for me, rather than a real upgrade.

[@memesresidehere7363]

I have one coming in the mail and I'm so excited. These things are like a dream come true.

[@graceosandford5575]

Never had a gameboy so I was waiting for a device this size with this form factor and I love the atomic purple option. Gonna be my first retro handheld! Thank you for the review!!

[@Renegadetothe64th]

I just bought this for 40 bucks on line. First time buying something like this but I’m glad I did. This looks awesome for a newcomer like me!

[@ChalcoAPRN]

As far as purchasing this device: As someone who probably has too many of these devices already including the 351V, I have to say my body is saying “Yeah man, I wanna do it”. However after seeing my wife’s reaction it’s now saying, “No man, you don’t”

[@RetroGameCorps]

Oh man I should have put that as a HP option in my game, "significant other doesn't want me to get another handheld"

[@Justusson]

Send me one, tell her it’s broken, and get a new one for yourself 😀

[@WSG-fv9dq]

Do it Bro, u can always tell her u had that one already 😂😂😂

[@angelocanale8102]

Russ, how on earth are you not on over a million subs with the depth of the info you share and the quality of your videos. Great video as usual and my go to for any help with handhelds

[@DoNotBreathe]

Purchased the RG353V prior to seeing this video, and I'm glad to see that I made the perfect choice as someone who already has a Steam Deck. I scored ALL +1 HP and none of the -1 hp 😁 The only thing I struggle with now is the external customization. I'm so jealous of the amount of custom products for the miyoo mini on the market 😩 There's a few here and there for the 353V but it doesn't meet my high standards for kawaii 😂

[@progCan]

So somebody said they bought me this as a birthday present at first i was like "i mean i really prefer picking what gift im going to get but its ok" and then i watched this video saw what its capable of and it literally brought me to tears of joy (this is my first gaming handheld besides the crappy nes only thing i got when i was little). And i screamed so hard i think my neighbours now think im ded and paused the video for like a minute when i saw it could run celeste NATIVELY. CRAZY. I also got a 6hp score so this is definitely an awesome pick for me. Very well made video!

[@retrohandhelds]

Fantastic review. That's a very good point about the second stick, and I need to try out JELOS on this bad boy!

[@RetroGameCorps]

They just pushed a new dev this morning, downloading it now!

[@retrohandhelds]

@@RetroGameCorps 😍

[@ekinteko]

@@RetroGameCorps To be frank, I think you're wrong about the R-joystick. The device is symmetrical in shape, so what goes for the Left-J would also apply for the Right-J. I remember when I was in school and the PSP came out, that I wished they put the slider on the right side. That way we can use the Shoulder Pads as the interaction buttons, joystick for camera view, and D-Pad for movement. It would be clunky but far better than what they delivered, where the Single L-joystick was largely unused by many games.

[@teddyepstein]

Thank you so much for making this video!! I was considering getting an emulator and now I’m sold! I will definitely be getting this

[@SWPLGAMING]

I really like this color combination. Being a little smaller than the 351v, this makes this new device a little more pocketable. Agreed the speaker is in a good place. Thanks for the share👍.

[@RetroGameCorps]

Definitely, the speaker placement is one of my favorite aspects of this new little guy.

[@ekinteko]

@@RetroGameCorps That Transparent (FunTastic Atomic) Purple colour looks absolutely brilliant on the renders. Hopefully it looks just as good in the hands, like the Gameboy Color, and doesn't fade with time. But it's still just a mono speaker at the end of the day. I guess that's okay for 2D games, so anywhere from the first Atari to the latest GBA, and some Sega Saturn and NDS. Which is what this device is mostly aimed at anyway.

[@gerardofacundo6721]

Been waiting for this review! Great job!

[@SicketMog]

Just realized that despite having had a phone for a while I still haven't gotten used to seeing PS or N64 running on something portable like this. I jumped to you testing and the way you held your hands so still... looking at you holding the device and playing it and at a glance it looked like a video cut out and playing on top (video effects from the 90's). I'm glad that I'm still amazed by these things. As a kid I dreamt of a single console that could play everything (at the time). Now they exist... And they're frickin portables! How is Saturn? Does it run on this (and if so does it run well)? Yes it seems largely forgotten at times but that's my childhood system; that's the one I'd really like to get a new device for (currently still happy with the RG351P; purchased entirely due to your videos). As another user said yeah playing PS2 would be the next step for these devices. As a person into shmups that + the Saturn/DC running well (considering all the imports available in that genre) would be incredible. PS2 port of Mushi is, for its time, not bad. Edit: ah you DID test the Saturn with JelOS (skipped past it before). Thank you!

[@TerpTheBandit]

1 year later and I'm playing FFX + x-2 and Kingdom hearts on my pixel 6a. Seriously, look into AetherSX2 if you haven't already, it's built of pcsx2 nightly. With a Snapdragon 7-8 series you can run even more games, but FFX and KH are notoriously easy to emulate. Which is great, cause they're both in my top 5 for ps2.

[@spikmin]

Thanks for the quality review. I ended up on -3 points at the end lol. I don't have a reason to upgrade from the 351 series yet. I'll be waiting for the next model with a significant power boost and I look forward to your inevitable review of said product

[@pedroprobst5230]

For me, everything looks great except for the analog sticks. They're hard to fit in a vertical device. If I had to buy an Anbernic with analog sticks I'd probably go with the 353P. I guess the Miyoo Mini is still 2022's "vertical king".

[@GeekMustHave]

OMG a Venn diagram 34:25, that just nails the specos on the head. Thanks for the time you take on doing these deep dive videos. Keep broadcasting!!

[@slent_terri]

RG351V is more comfortable in size, the fingers do not interfere with each other. The rear buttons are also more comfortable to press. Overall, the form factor is prettier with only one rounded corner where the speaker is. The screen is bigger and protrudes nicely from the case, and works well with most 8-16 bit games. And the price is lower.

[@chedhead3278]

Cheers Russ, great review as usual. The Buying Game at the end was a great addition, I slightly gamed the system by including 'Comes in white : +3hp' then balanced that out with 'Have an Odin Pro which makes justifying other devices difficult : -3 Hp'. Nice to see Anbernic putting out a good product at a decent price again. I like it.

[@akifrivaldo]

Alright, because of this review I might think to pass to get this device. I'm not a collector so performance is really important for me. N64/dreamcast should be 90% working fine and psp 2x working 100% for all games, so I should wait for the next Anbernic hand held vertical device. I really do appreciate this review and believe me Russ, I'm really thankful for the review and for the guides you made for the hand held devices. Thanks for the content!! 🙏❤️❤️

[@psp4gamer]

So what would you choose for those 2 systems? Im looking for the same, but yeah that's quite lacklusting

[@akifrivaldo]

@@psp4gamer I'll choose the rg353vs if I will not gonna get it for streaming.

[@psp4gamer]

@@akifrivaldo Hmmnn good point, but no for me i will get the RG353V, since that extra GB of ram could be useful in the linux part.

[@worstperson2ask]

You’re asking a lot if you want ALL psp games to be upscaled at 2x

[@fryke]

I was soooo looking forward to this, as I'm eagerly awaiting my preorder to arrive soon(ish)...

[@El_Mexicutioner666]

As an older gamer, even if some of the bigger games don't hit 60fps, isn't 45-55fps still really good for an 80's or 90's game anyway? Weren't most games prior to PS2/GC running like 15-30fps back then?

[@nimlouth]

but the problem is that if it doesn't run fullspeed you get a lot of sound artifacts and weird input lag. Fast and accurate emulation is very demanding and i.e. a game that runs natively at 25fps will be a hell to play on a slow emulation that can't hit 100%. I.e: starfox

[@dj3854]

I realized last min I ordered the RG353VS and not the RG353V til after shipping was in process.. just great!!

[@zsjdddfw]

I debated with myself quite a bit between this and 353p then decided to not wait and I got 353p. I think 353v is better in terms of size and pocket ability (353p really is a bit too big too thick) and it doesn't have the huge anbernic logo, but lacks vertical arcade, audio jack is on the top, and not as comfortable as 353p. I like your videos a lot and you helped me make the buying decision a lot. My everyday train commute is a lot less miserable now.

[@RetroGameCorps]

Happy to be of help! The RG353P is definitely great, but I agree it's a bit too bulky to slide into the pocket.

[@WickedGamerCollector]

LOL, I noticed the dual stick already knew it was bad 😅 35:00 yes that is a really cool way to approach this subject.

[@zaxolotl]

I ordered this as my first ever retro handheld! thank you! I intend to use it for lsdj, along with 8-16bit era games! The retroid pocket 3 seemed way too big and kinda overkill, and I like the vertical form more However the miyoo mini seemed too small as I have eyesight troubles, and I still like the idea of analog sticks for some games - plus it's not in stock rn anyway! I got +3hp on the end test and this really seems like the one for me! Ordered the transparent purple skin cause it looks really nice, though I'd like to change out the face buttons to all be the same colors somehow in the future

[@El_Mexicutioner666]

Same here. Just bought the black one. I can't wait, as it is also my first retro handheld system. I am old and grew up in the early nineties, so I prefer the Gameboy shape and feel for handheld. I am not a fan of the horizontal design like the Switch. I am mostly interested in NES, SNES, PS1 and GB/GBA, so this seems perfect.

[@SerpWerx]

Same boat. Just ordered one based on the same conclusions. I'd prefer something that can manage the full n64 library, but Im going to dedicate this one to retro titles and eventually order probably a larger size emulator that does psp/n64 gamecube and whatever else above as a its own higher end dedicated emulator. Ill esentially have 2 portables that will play 99.99999% of titles from nintendo all the way to ps2 hopefully

[@zaxolotl]

I have mine now and I love it! It's cool to play all these old games so easily, and I also get to use LSDJ and M8 Tracker on the go!!!

[@storm9k]

i just got this its my first emu handheld AND IM LOVIN IT i spent 1-2hrs adding more games and its just A M A Z I N G

[@tatertot64]

While I don't inherently dislike the concise design of the original Gameboy, I can't help but worry that a lot of these manufacturers are holding themselves back by relying on this general design. I ultimately appreciate the more unique designs more, as not only does it help them stand out amongst many visually similar units, but the creativity gives room - figuratively and literally - for things like analog sticks that the original GB design wasn't designed to account for.

[@C0MPUTERPHILE]

Then buy the RG353M or RG353P..

[@gerardofacundo6721]

Russ thanks to your video and others in the community I just picked the purple one up!

[@ZoSo_x]

I was torn between this and the RG35XX but after watching the video, I think I'll just go with the RG35XX and just wait for something better to come out that handles DC, N64 and DS a lot better. Oh and I got 0 HP btw lol

[@rodrigorodriguez509]

It may have been necessary to avoid giving any information about what games are available, but that's by far the most important information

[@mufujifi]

Informative video! I’m new to handheld emulators and I preordered this to start. Will you be making a separate video on how newbies can load up a custom core with their own library of games onto the device, or is there already a video that essentially teaches the same thing? Like I’m a bit confused. Is the top sd card for the core and a separate one at the bottom solely for games? Hope it’s not too dumb a question.

[@qfour22]

Great video with TONS of good info. Keep up the good work. Need more Chicken breaks!

[@RetroGameCorps]

Thanks! Yeah she wasn't hanging out with me when I filmed my footage, but she was on my lap during the editing process if that helps :)

[@glovedcop69]

Anbernic seems to do a lot better with their smaller devices their bigger ones don't seem to hit all that well.

[@jorgepb6276]

just in time, great review!

[@SansINess53]

reason why RG353V is cool because it can Shows.

[@jpsm2246]

Coming across your channel is what got me interested in all things retro. thanks! Waiting for mine to arrive.

[@morganvangele5358]

I'm curious about a comparison between the screen on the V and the VS, since the VS won't have a touch screen. Excited as always about vertical form factor, having the screen above your hands makes for a much more comfortable overall posture and neck position while playing. Rarely hear this mentioned in discussions about handheld ergonomics. Big reason why I loved nintendo's clamshells. :)

[@sinnedam]

I purchased one of these based on your review. Thanks for the level of detail.

[@TorgoHiggins]

I'm looking at a clean 0 HP on your checklist, three checks on each side. I'm a huge fan of my RG351v, and I'm just not seeing enough of a performance boost to justify an upgrade. I'd like an Android device, but if all that's really on offer is "more emulation options," then that's a complete miss for me there as well. If we were otherwise seeing rock solid performance across the board for PSP, Dreamcast, N64, and Saturn I could see it as a worthwhile upgrade, but this strikes me a mediocre one at best over any of the 351 devices if you already have one. Past that, just not a huge fan of the overall smaller size (pocketability is not a factor for me; I detest having things in my pockets), and that right analog looks abysmally out of place. I'm going to assume that addition was in response to negative feedback in regards to the 351v's single stick, which I totally get, but I think a single stick is a reasonable sacrifice and cut to make if you want that original Game Boy style and form factor. It just looks much better and more natural. The 353v just has too much going on in too small a space.

[@akifrivaldo]

True, I got 351v and the upgrade is too small.. bleh.. much better to get the rp3

[@NewHyperman6]

Thank you for showing it go in your pocket. I’ve been wanting to see how it looks for on the go

[@steel5897]

I think the 351V looks and probably feels miles better. That analog stick... plus the whole thing is smaller which I didn't expect, definitely would feel cramped for me. Sticking with my 351V here, and I hope it doesn't die on me. Might buy another one actually lol

[@steel5897]

Also is it just me or are the colors way worse than the 351V on the screen? They looked kinda green-ish and not as vivid, maybe it's the video though. Oh you mentioned it too. Yeah that's a deal breaker, I love the 351V screen so much, it's the best thing about it.

[@Philbyyyy]

@@steel5897 yup screen looks to be worse

[@fatcheese1904]

@@steel5897 Not just you, the RG351V has the better, saturated screen. It's much more vibrant than the RG353V, which looked kinda washed out if compared directly to the former. I'm sticking with my RG351V because i love love love the screen as well.

[@shadowsinscarlet3222]

I got +4 HP. I really think the handheld would be perfect for me and I deeply appreciate this review.

[@stephanboxall1462]

I’m really a big fan of the RG351V so naturally I am drawn to this device. I like the small form and the fact that the firmware works out of the box. I’m happy the hardware was beefed up but I don’t think the second control stick was really required. While I appreciate that there’s an Android platform as well, I feel it’s not as finished and having to hot swap between Linux and Android for things like N64 performance is a bit of a run around.

[@afistfulofpimples1745]

The second stick is necessary for Smash TV

[@jeromebullard6123]

The 351 cannot run 007 Goldeneye on N64. I wonder if this one can?

[@antegratechrebell3346]

This is so nonsense the secend stick is the best feature without it I wouldn't buyed it.

[@stephanboxall1462]

@@antegratechrebell3346 I totally agree with you and it’s the reason I didn’t buy it as well.

[@ChrisYarzab]

Thanks!

[@RetroGameCorps]

Thanks for the support!

[@thundercactus]

Super helpful! Looking to get into an Anbernic device myself and watched a few of your videos. I think it's funny that you thought the 353V should have done a single OS for simplicity, then they came out with the 35XX which satisfies that category perfectly.... EXCEPT the SNES game issue where you suggested they may have used PAL ROMs and ran them at 60Hz lol They were so close to perfection! But thanks to your reviews, it looks like I'll be buying the 353V (even if I don't plan on using Android....not that I have a choice, the 353VS is sold out!)

[@HotSauceStain]

So happy to hear golden eye is loaded! Ordered my VS in black. Will use it stock because I have no idea where to get roms from, and won’t be able to transfer them with my MacBook.

[@manicminer1976]

I just find it for 138€/168€ on AliExpress. It's actually more expensive than 353p. So I can't understand why some people say it's an attractive price.

[@wedemandcookies]

The prices in the video are from Anbernic's own website.

[@manicminer1976]

@@wedemandcookies yes I know, but on Ali wow it's expensive

[@wedemandcookies]

@@manicminer1976 🤷‍♂😄

[@reggieg.6479]

With a case plus shipping was about 135 on the website. On aliexpress comes out to about 128 shipped.

[@manicminer1976]

@@reggieg.6479 Not to my country, Spain. It's 138€ VS, 168€ V. Official Anbernic store on AliExpress

[@blechkitti]

I just love how you came up with that HP thing c:

Great video as usual! The "should I buy it" game at the end was a great idea 🤣

[@afifahzulkefli]

Love this detailed review! Very helpful for people like myself to start.

[@veryforest3937]

Thanks for the review. I love the style of these GB-like devices, but after feeling like I wasted my money on a Miyoo Mini, I will no longer consider buying anything with this form again. I simply can't play on something so narrow, and I'd rather not play at all than try to force myself to use something that makes my hands hurt after a few minutes. The RP3 is the perfect width for me, and I am very satisfied with how it feels to play and what it is capable of.

[@RetroGameCorps]

I'm in the same boat, I never really find vertical handhelds to be comfortable, but I do like the look of them. I'd play on the RP3 over a vertical handheld any day!

[@griselortiz8364]

As someone with small hands, I appreciate how compact and light it is

[@henrymelo]

Great vid! That game at the end to help people decide if the console is for them was a great idea!! Also, Im looking forward to your updated steam deck emulation setup vid, I will be getting my sd soon!

[@altyler1323]

Great review I’ve been seeing a lot of ads for this. Now I’m definitely getting one 👍🏿😊

[@w3k11]

On Anbernic's official store RG353V (16GB basic bundle) at the final checkout step has price of $237.49 for Croatia (EU). $112.99 + $77.00 shipping + $47.50 taxes.

[@karnod4401]

your reviews really helped me decide on my 1st retro handheld and I want to thank you for that. im just waiting for it to arrive and play it. thank you again and just continue making awesome videos

[@hawshimagical]

anbernic on this device doing what works instead of trying to push out something they cant handle, like the win600. good on them

[@claytonpuff6555]

Thank you for going in depth this video was helpful and showed me stuff i didn't even know about.

[@SweetMikki]

a year later ur video helped turn the tide. good video friend ^-^

[@MrRhysisGrant]

So, about a year after this review dropped I just got RG-353vs (Linux only version) for $70 on a sale, it now has minor touch screen support, can use the screen to cycle through systems, and I just updated it to the latest f/w release from 9/23. StockOS went from running Dreamcast games with some save/load glitches, poor fps (as low as 19FPS) , and audio hitching on games like Skies of Arcadia, Soul Calibur, MvC2, and Mark of the Wolves to running at a smooth 60 FPS with great responsiveness and no audio issues. Scanline and shaders fix anything pre PS1/N64/Dreamcast and everything post has been running awesome. Not sure what Anbernic did but their StockOS has become more than useable.

[@TRVE.]

Hi! Is it running at a smooth now for emulated Dead or Alive 2 and Shenmue 1-2 or maybe no? Can you answer, please, RamenNinja?

[@MrRhysisGrant]

I haven’t tried Shenmu at all, DOA2 run okay, a little hitchy at times and some audio stuttering though I’m not very well versed in the best core configurations and what would help better for certain games but I have been able to get most games running/looking better after some minor tweaks. Mark of the Wolves excluded, I can’t get that to run stable for too long before it drops to like 12 fps. It’s runs fine on Neogeo though.

[@rockafella2664]

I love the Hit Points Buying Game at the end! Very creative way to deduce!

[@RetroGameCorps]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@alocervancouver]

-3: I own the RG351V and really love it. I think you should add a -1 for "I don't anticipate playing a game that requires two analogs". I don't think it's too big (for my taste) but is on the edge of comfort. I don't see the incremental gains on N64/DC/PSP worth it to upgrade and the single analog on the RG351V is all I have used for games. I'd consider the device if it were between the Miyoo Mini and this, but the RG351V is still good enough for my tastes and the battery life is better.

[@marcwilliams9824]

There are a lot of dual stick ps1 games though.

[@michaelbiggs9003]

Where are you downloading games at?

[@KeenanGaynor]

thank you for all that you do, Russ! Would love to see more of what you did at the end of this one (self-assessment of which devices are a good for a person individually) - would love to see that with all of the heavy hitters (compare manufacturers to one another)

[@mikeyswag123456]

I got this as my first ever emulator because I wanted to try out old games without buying everything required. (old handhelds / games themselves.) After playing a few months: The ps2 / ps1 games are unplayable on this device. If that's what you're looking to play this isn't the hand held for you. If you want to play Gameboy, GBC, GBA all the games run perfect. I've finished a few classics and I'm glad I did it. As someone who never had a Gameboy or anything as a kid (too young) it's a fun experience and without a doubt worth it.

[@KaguyaH]

Mate, it's a RK3566, PSX runs perfectly at 2x res which is the highest you should be pushing it considering it's a 480p display. 90% of the PSX library was designed to be played on a dpad too.

[@daktoa00]

I just bought this for 7$ in a bargain hunt bin! Worth it

[@milkyway6080]

I've ordered a Miyoo Mini which is on its way yet, and a PowKiddy rgb20s yet to be shipped which was about $70. Everyone was complaining about the old chipset but they didn't understand that a slight improvement in hardware won't be a noticeable improvement in emulation performance. The RG353VS would cost almost twice shipped to my country, the RG353V even more, I don't think they're worth twice though. The RGB20S can run the same games for half the price, the Miyoo Mini is just a bit less capable but it's tiny

[@MrAlligator3]

Great review - I just picked it up. Thanks!

[@KyleRuggles]

Glad the screen wasn't rotated, RG handhelds did a video yesterday and it was rotated slightly, so you'd see a big black bar at the bottom and so small at the top and and nothing at the top left but more at the top right. This is a great device but I already got the 351v and the Odin. Great vid as usual!

[@RetroGameCorps]

Thanks for watching Kyle! Yeah if you have an Odin then it's hard to justify some of these lower-powered devices.

[@KyleRuggles]

@@RetroGameCorps I know! Lol. Like I WANT them but I don't need them and we already buy too much stuff as it is lol. Always appreciate your work! Doing great work for the community. Take it easy, buddy! And have a great weekend.

[@jvvaughn]

I'm looking forward to a device that only exists in my imagination - the RG353M

[@davidrato2947]

I'm looking for the same device hahaha Maybe the 351MP will get a price cut and I'll decide it is enough.

[@minimoe2807]

Great review with lots of superb comparisons!

[@susinity_]

new to this stuff, planning on buying this as a first retro console

[@iLuvGaming]

was on the fence about this one for a while

[@acuyuyee]

You are so professional on your KZbin videos. Thanks 👍👍👍.

[@vandalg282]

If we're talking purely vertical handheld gaming, the Anbernic is the best, especially if you've been running emulators since they came out. The Odin and Steam Deck handle everything horizontal, but again, with some of the shittiest battery lives. Anbernic just does everything right without sacrificing anything expansive, like the memory, emulators used, etc.

[@paulgeorgmusic]

I'm sad Jelos stopped supporting this devis. I would love a future video covering the current state of firmware offerings for this device. I tried ArkOs and UnofficialOS but ended up switching back to the stock OS.

[@necromatric]

is ArkOs really worse? I just ordered mine and I'm trying to plan what OS I will use but I feel like the 353V doesn't have many options. Also I can't find any videos on yt about UnofficialOS

[@HOM3L3SSDRUNK]

Solid video, only note is the duel stick shouldn't be a negative given all the pro's for N64 you need the yellow c buttons and the joy covers it. Love these things