RG CubeXX & P01 Dual Review (BEST Budget 1:1 & $15 Controller!?)

[@retrohandhelds]

What's *your* thoughts on the CubeXX and P01? Notes: The controllers we have are pre-production, and the kinks have been further worked out for retail. After the revealed retail price, this does change things a little. I can say this is easily the best sub $20 controller I've used. Controller pre-ordering starts 6am EST on 29th Oct , price is 14.99 and they start shipping around Nov 12th, the price will then go up to 17.99 , so the early bird price will stay on till they start shipping the devices!

[@mvanalst2003]

I’d buy the entire family one each if this had the new sticks from the RG406V. But at this price point, it’s a nice handheld. I’ll stick with my GameSir and 8BitDo controllers, for now.

[@SWPLGAMING]

Clean indeed, it's the first thing you noticed. It's great for the longer play sessions due to the ergonomics and build quality. Yeah I like this one. Great video bud🔥🔥

[@Lisa313shoe]

@@retrohandhelds I ordered the cube xx already

[@mindyournose]

My thoughts are the pg01 is 1:1 copy of 8bitdo ultimate 😂.

[@Germania9]

Hope to buy this so I can play vertical arcade shoot-em-ups like Raiden or Dodonpachi on the go.

[@RGGeek]

Loving the new RG Nugget XX! 🔥

[@locked01]

A chart that shows all the handheld CPUs and what they can do in terms of emulation, in a simple way, is mandatory by now.

[@Triknor]

If I was going to get a square screen handheld, it would probably be this one.

[@piercewiederecht5135]

It certainly makes more sense than saddling a t820 with that screen and it’s unlikely to break as often as Powkiddys seemingly do. So yeah if I eventually break down and get a 1:1, this is likely to be the one.

[@andys_gameroom]

My "gray" one is on the way. Can't wait to get it; This looks like a really good one. I have the RG40XXH, but it looks better than it functions. First one had a bad L2 button, second one, the joysticks weren't centered. Sold it on marketplace, lol. I usually like the black color but the DMG really looked good to me.

[@billy_naing]

Hell yea, 2 minute ago. Looking forward to the CubeXX. Always wanted the Cube but couldn't justify the price of it for just a few systems like Pico 8.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

I thought the H700 is about the same power as the 3566. That would make an interesting video to compare those two chips together. I always wandered which one was better.

[@retrohandhelds]

@turnbasedtoddy7664 yeah 3566 does edge it out performance wise, nice video idea!

[@88Spint]

The controller is fking awesome! Bought it at pre release so it was very cheap at 14 bucks and let me tell you this thing rocks! It's lighter then you would think, full plastic so no shitty grip tape gonna tare off after a month of use... like the xbox elite controller. Buttons are bigger then we are used too but they feel very nice and light to hold down for long periods, no sharp edges for spamming in comfort :D Dpad is streetfighter worthy tho a tiny bit sharp for my non fighter game trained thumbs, should be easy enough to mod to your liking. The under buttons (macro buttons) is almost too naturally placed so I hit them by accident often, and there is only one on each side but the macroing is very easy to do on the fly once you learn the sequence. Sticks are also much lighter then im used too which I feel makes it easier to make precise movements when you need to, they can be set to having no deadzone which makes this controller a bit like a drone controller. Triggers could have a longer pull and an optional stop switch to make em be just a click instead. The layout of the trigger buttons is a little off as they are not as easy to hit as they could be, they should be a little more to the outside of the controller but it's so minor I don't notice it ingame. They have 4 different connection options: Switch (nintendo stuff, with the nintendo layout), xinput (PC, xbox layout), android and ios. They can connect wirelessly to your devices or you can use the dongle that comes with the controller. I found that one of the connections always work so I just try em all out. You can also go full on wired controller with a usb-c cable. A tiny one comes with the controller for charging. Does work really well with the RG35XXSP, Steamdeck, Switch and PC for me. Overall it's 17 bucks and 100% the best value controller on the market. Buy 4 and be happy. :D The white purple one is really pretty and would be the easiest to paint if you are into that :D

[@erwinmulder1338]

I have been really into pico-8 lately, so I have picked up the additional hobby of collecting square aspect ratio devices. I got a RGB30 before, and that 720x720 screen is SO nice. So when I saw this one came out, I had to pick one up.

[@retrohandhelds]

Oh nice! Have you tried the R40S or 46S yet? I'm curious about those 😁

[@retrotechdad]

That Megaman footage made me cry 😭😭😭😭

[@retrohandhelds]

😘😘😘😘

[@liamwilliams8258]

Another nice 1 Stubbs, so it looks like something I could've been in to...and hey, give the Powiddy X55 a break, she's my baby...😁👍🤘🎮...speaking of which would you be willing to do a Powkiddy X55 look back, see what it's like now...and maybe a couple of revisits to Handhelds that came out a year ago or so...anyway, thanks for all the amazing content...👍

[@retrohandhelds]

Oh I know, I like the X55 these days, I'm just giving it a hard time for some of the comically loud buttons on it. 😆 Thanks and I like the retrospective idea!!

[@Lisa313shoe]

Waiting for my cube xx hope they get knulli working correctly..

[@rickster7373]

Also no disrespect but what is the name of that sad song and artist after you said X55? 11:57

[@retrohandhelds]

Ah no worries, it's from our soundstripe library, I'll confirm 😆

[@rickster7373]

Thank you by the way it's not on your soundstrip is it still on development?

[@retrohandhelds]

Ahhh ok my editor said he made it!! Custom

[@rickster7373]

@@retrohandhelds understood hopefully someday it will be available if not it's still good thank you for taking the time to answer my question 🙏🏾💯

[@Ag45727]

Nice review Stubbs! The controller did look oddly small 🤔 I think if Anbernic does the 406p next with the new sticks, the 406v’s screen and dpad up top (they won’t, but I can hope), it will be a slam dunk. Hopefully soon, apparently Joey was contacted in some way about it! I also hope they keep the quiet buttons from this moving forward!!

[@retrohandhelds]

Thanks! Im confirming the 406P rumor, hoping it does have 406V sticks!

[@mindyournose]

The thumbnail is stubbs finding out anbernic have announced the 406p and they had the audacity to post it online before informing him via several emails that his is on the way.

[@retrohandhelds]

@@mindyournose

[@Newspeak.]

The clicky buttons are actually a plus for me.

[@retrohandhelds]

@Newspeak. you like the tactile response of them?

[@Newspeak.]

@@retrohandhelds it's partially that but also I kinda just like the noise too. I can understand why it's a negative though for a lot of folks.

[@retrohandhelds]

Oh yeah I get it

[@Thraeg]

Nice review! Already pre-ordered the CubeXX, as it looks to be exactly what I've been hoping for. Was especially glad to see the quiet shoulder buttons, as that's been an annoyance on other systems. For DS, is there any way to do a hybrid screen mode, where one screen is a full 4:3 using the entire width of the screen and the other is tiny above or below it?

[@retrohandhelds]

@Thraeg Thanks! So you can have the small screen to the right of it, or full screen, and then swap between them with shoulder buttons.

[@Thraeg]

@@retrohandhelds thanks for checking. That's a shame that they don't support a hybrid top and bottom mode, as that would be the most effective way to use the screen space.

[@retrohandhelds]

@Thraeg ah wait I see what you mean, hrm, let me actually test that. I mis-read. You're saying the top screen spans edge to edge, and then a small 2nd screen centered below. Hrm, I bet you could.

[@Thraeg]

@@retrohandhelds yeah, exactly. DS has two 4:3 screens, and when you play a 4:3 system on a 1:1 screen, you get fairly large black bars above and below it. So for games with one main screen where the action happens, and one secondary map/menu/etc. that you aren't looking at as much, it would be nice to have the main at full size, and then squeeze the secondary screen into the margin (of course with the option to swap them as needed).

[@BigBossBernie]

at this point I'm waiting for the obligatory 406-horizontal with 4:3 4" screen - just hope they use the recent hall effect sticks and "grippy" backpiece as the Cube/ Cubexx are much more comfortable to hold than "flat" horizontals

[@retrohandhelds]

Seems you might be getting this 🤔

[@ToddTronics]

my sticky right trigger some how started not sticking anymore, very strange not sure why or how, but i still stand by it i think its a decent controller

[@retrohandhelds]

@ToddTronics ayyeee, that's great news! Yeah if the price is correct at $30 then I think it's a solid option, mine have yet to give me trouble.

[@Watermeloncat112]

Do multiple controllers connect to 1 dongle

[@vexorian]

At the end the RGB30 does have a better selection of operating systems than the XXs. MinUI, Rocknix, Arkos. Hard to beat imo.

[@retrohandhelds]

Oh yeah, rgb30 is solid, a little quirky here and there, but still a great device with plenty of OS options!

[@MateoElFidel]

The advantage that Anbernic has with reusing the H700 chip all the time though is that MinUI, Knulli, and MuOS are not far behind. And I'd argue that MuOS is just as feature rich as Rocknix and ArkOS

[@mattdavis9601]

I somehow made it well into adulthood without realizing that "MFer" referred to one's own mother. I now regret every time that I clapped back with some variation of "I'd rather have an older woman than be like you with no woman!" Yes, mistakes were made. It doesn't seem like Anbernic made too many mistakes with the CubeXX. The looks, the ergonomics, the buttons, and the slight reskin of their stock OS are all big wins. The biggest win is that they can offer all this goodness at just $60-$70. With value like this enabled by the XX platform, I hope they keep making new XX variants until the end of time. Thanks for testing the HDMI out. I really like that Anbernic allows us to use our handhelds as retro TV boxes. It's one of my favorite XX-SP features. I was curious if the CubeXX would output a normal signal or a weird 1:1 shaped feed. Thanks for answering that question in high definition, Stubbs. In regards to the controller; I think it's cool. As a value option, it seems competitive as long as they get the QC straightened out. I still think the GameSir Nova Lite is the champ of this class of controller though. However, as an owner of an Anbernic handheld and as someone who has been rejected on a couple of occasions because of my oversized dongle, I really vibe with this controller. I kinda want to pick one up when they go on clearance. If they come out with a transparent blue Anbernic controller that matches my XX-SP, I'll probably buy it at full price. Completely unrelated to anything; I bought a new Galaxy yesterday. It's an A15 5G. I'm not bragging although I do really like it. It's got the 5G version of the Helio G99 (Dimensity 6100+, I think) so emulation performance should be on par with the Unicorn, AYA Micro, and KTR1. The reason I mention this is because I've had a pair of Galaxy Buds for a couple of years now. They have this 360° Audio feature which I've never been able to try because my old Galaxy phone didn't support it. My new one does. Sometimes. It seems heavily dependant on what you're consuming. This review is recorded or mixed in such a way that it worked with the 360° Audio and Head Tracking perfectly. It sounded like Stubbs was actually a buddy chilling in my living room showing off his new toy. It was amazing and I just wanted to share that. Haha. Thanks for another great review, Stubbs.

[@retrohandhelds]

@mattdavis9601 I will NEVER reject you for the size of your dongle, Matt (I enjoyed your thorough comment as always, and that spacial audio system you have sounds bonkers cool!)

[@mattdavis9601]

@@retrohandhelds - I appreciate that, Bro. I don't remember if it was you or Zu who said that they film a lot of their videos with a Galaxy S2# Ultra. If it's you and you've got some Galaxy Buds too (I think it's the Pros, Live, and 2 that support it) then you can experience the same 360° Audio with Head Tracking.

[@Lisa313shoe]

Waiting for my cube xx hope they get knulli working correctly.. I got white also stubbs..

[@SynergyGamingTV]

Did your right thumb get chopped at one point? Looks like your big toe. Seems shorter than your left thumb.

[@retrohandhelds]

@@SynergyGamingTV yes

[@timseyer6769]

How are the sticks on the controllers? Cardinal snapping? It's not like anbernic hasn't by now done sticks that suffer from it a lot and much better ones.

[@retrohandhelds]

No cardinal snapping luckily! Sticks are a highlight on the controller.

[@timseyer6769]

@@retrohandhelds Uh that's nice

[@Lisa313shoe]

When will you guys receive your rtp 5 coming in? I know it will before us..

[@retrohandhelds]

@@Lisa313shoe very soon!

[@JakeyT513]

Why didn’t they do the ABXY configuration on their controller like every handheld they have ever made

[@TheRealAlpha2]

Probably because they expect the controller to be used more with PCs, which explains the asymmetric MS stick placement.

[@Pridetoons]

I'll have my RG-CUBE XX in DMG please! 😁

[@timcowell8686]

Love to see somebody with hobbit thumbs making handhelds reviews!

[@soniczero532]

I wish it had the active cooling and the more powerful chip. I love the setup of this. Is there anyway to take apart and monster mash and improve this handheld? Android is also a favorite. I have an rpg 30, and rg 3 pro. I'm a big fan of the Sega floating dpad. Everything else is just what I want. An ideas or help for updating a chip in a handheld or something????????

[@soniczero532]

Please help if anyone has any ideas.

[@Mystninja]

It's been a week. Wait your right. What was the last. Rg40xxh

[@TheRealAlpha2]

Okay, so you're saying the RGB30 is technically a little more powerful despite the ergonomics, then I don't really need this. I thought it might be my first Anbernic device purchase, but it'd just be redundant. I'll save my money and see how the RP5 turns out.

[@retrohandhelds]

@TheRealAlpha2 Yeah, you'll get a little more performance out of the RGB30, which you'll notice for N64, Dreamcast, DS and PSP (although I don't think the screen ratio is well suited to those systems anyways). RP5 looks to be AWESOME!

[@TheRealAlpha2]

@@retrohandhelds Honestly, I've had very little concern about their screen ratios. DS is fine in single screen mode, DC and N64 are pre 16:9, and PSP might be a little small but the options for scaling and the 720p screen keep everything balanced enough for me. The RP5 could very well force it into retirement though, I await your reviews on it!

[@frankysour]

Celestable? That's.... New!

[@ericromero1620]

My girlfriend has a thumb like that but I love her still

[@vonlkonov]

When you go to clip your thumbnails, you just go straight across?

[@Lisa313shoe]

Oh great I can use my sd card I have already

[@retrohandhelds]

You sure can!

[@paulfavila5482]

your controller is like a gingerbread with a m&m's

[@retrohandhelds]

🤣

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

It doesn't come with games???

[@jinstinky501]

PO1, I'll wait for the POS model.

[@intenseretrogaming]

Analog sticks are NOT good for shmups. They are visually similar but do not function the same as arcade sticks. The former are analog and have partial movements. The latter are digital with no partial movements. Partial movements hinder precision, and you will hardly perform well on a shmup because of that.

[@quadzilla3326]

The all White theme on the cube is very sexy. No more h700 devices Anbernic Thanks Everyone

[@retrohandhelds]

😆

[@JosephTheRocker]

A 2 for 1 video? This is better value than an H700 device!

[@retrohandhelds]

🤣