Some handhelds make you feel old (Anbernic RG34XX Review)

[@Pridetoons]

I don't care if this Handheld makes me feel old the GBA was the first gaming device I've ever purchased with my own money. I'm buying this Handheld no matter what!!!

[@tommy6742]

I like the triggers, out of the way and just perfectly fine for hotkeys when you need them.

[@andretti10]

This is at least the 5th review I've watched on this device yet I have no plans on purchasing it

[@steel5897]

Yeah it's interesting, but it's old school for better and for worse. Something like the RG40XX H is a way more comfortable device in the same form factor, bigger screen too, better button layout, etc. It's COOL that this looks exactly like a GBA, but that novelty will wear off quickly imo.

[@Carcosahead]

I purchased one after my 19-20 ish video, I failed 😅

[@MpMan-w5d]

Just buy an old psp its cheaper nd more comfortable

[@thomascarpenter1347]

Glad we at least have one reviewer who makes actual reviews instead of glorified commercials

[@adamkane7513]

Agreed. Joey's _The Man!_

[@The_Answer-e8z]

GOAT

[@tasscontarino5124]

Salad fingers mentioned. That brings back cursed memories. Thanks.

[@dustyr112]

lol I skipped the XXSP in anticipation of a successor. Didn't have to wait long for that news.. classic Anbernic. 🙄 Eager to see what the 34XXSP's got goin' on. 👌

[@jsle5376]

I like how real you are, helped me finally have a grounded decision. I kept trying to decide between the 35XXSP and RG34XX, picking which form factor I'd like the most. In the end, I'm going with the RG35XX Plus, which is currently super cheap, fairly sized, great as a first time retro handheld and just overall a reasonable purchase! Thanks for the straightforward reviews that arent super blinded by nostalgia, it really helps when weighing all these options

[@fletcherchambers7175]

As a fifty-something dude, screen size and quality is waaaaaaay more important to me than nostalgia. The Trimui Smart Pro is a much "better" Advance machine for me.

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

TSP is great!

[@fletcherchambers7175]

@@JoeysRetroHandhelds And jeeze, looks like you can pick one up for about 10 bucks less than the RG34xx over on Ali all day long... Nostalgia isn't free! :P

[@dariuszsikorski4372]

Well i actually have TSP and still ordered 34xx out of pure nostalgia, but if i would have to pick best budget and quality screen it's in modded playstation vita oled vith vitabright, pure beauty screen.

[@jyllianrainbow7371]

The screen becomes pretty awesome when you use the 2 minute fix to set the refresh rate to 120hz and enable Black Frame Insertion, especially for a $70 device.

[@JaviPlayRetro]

Respectfully I completely disagree on this one. Easily one of Anbernic’s top 3

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Oh Anbernic's top three would be interesting to think about..

[@glazedbelmont]

@@JoeysRetroHandhelds it'd be a fight between the CubeXX, 406V (fight me) and 353P (??????????????)

[@TheBrotherGrim]

I got one as my first retro handheld, and it hit perfectly for me as a dedicated GBA device. The original GBA has been one of my favorite systems ever since getting one as a birthday gift when it released from my mom...but I also shelled out for a CubeXX as an all arounder. I've been using the 34xx more because it's easy to just throw in the pocket, but I love the cube for old arcade games and pico8 too. I know the cube can display GBA at the same resolution, but that GBA form factor just hits right. Dunno if I could choose one over the other if it came down to it.

[@Ag45727]

6:14 don’t throw rocks at my 20 gba devices 😂

[@kevinsaunders4434]

Thanks for being a pro consumer reviewer, keeping it honest

[@mattdavis9601]

"Reviews are not for justifying your purchases" Yes, they are! "This handheld makes me feel old" You're so old that you were alive the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup! So am I... "The Internet gets mad at me" The Internet gets mad about lots of things. Joey, you built this channel out of hopes, dreams, and authenticity. Trying to appeal to the unwashed masses by being someone or something different than what you are is a waste of time. The best Joey is "slightly acerbic and always keeping it real" Joey. Never change!

[@RyanRetro1]

Joey with the Joey reference

[@deadlyapollo]

I have a steamdeck, anbernic RG35XX, 351M this was an instant purchase for me as the glacier gba was my all time most played console. Now that its in my hands.....boy my hands got big since i was a kid!

[@maclainjohnson7666]

34xxSP needs one 3DS slider under the Dpad. Would be nice for N64 and dreamcast

[@Aaron-ge7ho]

Nah... people keep saying "34XX don't have sticks", "34XX is too small", "34XX had an awkward holding", "34XX is only good for GBA", "34XX is expensive", "34XX is only nostalgia", "34XX had screen issues", "34XX should die", but do you wanna know?! BULL OAKS!!! This device just fits well where it was thought to be, that is a thing that play many games from many platforms with a good old handheld console feel without being just a brick but also having some modern QOL features as a good screen, well enough audio, suficing battery life, wifi capabilities and all, just compromising minor aspects that won't affect 90% of what it can handle (sure i would enjoy it having SOMETHING that could work at least as a left stick in the shapes of PSP3DS, but fine anyway). For me, the only device that kind of competes with the OG GBA speaking of form factor was PSP, which i also thought to be awkward due to having a what initially looks big, but end up being tiny wide screen display. Was a great catch from Anbernic risk to release an inspired thing so near to the original as this is and, for me, the only downside it really has for now is not being able to go further HW wise (but it can stream content with moonlight, which is great, even again hitting the "no stick" "issue"). PS: CubeXX is great! I also had mine loeaded with everything at my arms reach most of time. Great ergonomics also, but nothing beats the feel of holding a better GBA - so if any xing ling could beat it and make a yet better model keeping its main aspects, COOL!

[@Scurrydog]

I love the nostalgia but your right, I just go back to my 40xxv with its 4 inch screen with a nice gba bezel and pixel aa.

[@Drakengod691]

I found that with the 35xxh, that i really dont need sticks at all and i generally found myself playing gba on it anyways. This fits in my pockets very well. Its definitely nostalgic for me as well but also still feels good to play on, and i have big hands. I'll never use the triggers as i dont use fast forward ever.

[@CDubya.82]

I've found myself getting ALL of Anbernics H700 chip XX line of handhelds 😜 My 34XX is GBA games only.

[@theinvisibleman-e8v]

Great review.

[@TeepoST88]

I was going to buy one of these because the OG GBA was my console back in the day, but we've already had "the perfect GBA" 10x over with other devices, they just have a slightly more rectangular body but some devices are actually more comfortable. I still think it's a fantastic looking device, and I would definitely choose a 34xx over even a modded GBA but I got the SP instead, never owned an SP as a kid but I'm loving the 35xxsp, perfect GBA experience and it's just easy to take out of the house or pick up and play.

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Grabbing the new 34XXSP when it comes?

[@TeepoST88]

@JoeysRetroHandhelds nah, I'm curious to see what it is but if it's just a smaller and more powerful 35xxsp then I'm good. 3.5 inch screen is as small as I can handle.

[@gamerdude612]

I'm Definitely getting this loved my GBA had this color growing up but it's improved with the 34XX it might not be perfect I'm gonna enjoy it another Pokémon machine for me.

[@Pridetoons]

I REALLY hope the RG34XXSP runs with the E627 processor. We'll have Full Speed PSP, Dreamcast, and N64 Emulation with a healthy dose of Sega Saturn Emulation too. Also Low-End GameCube and PS2 Emulation will be available to us too.

[@willm127]

9:30 - Joey is the only one who speaks the truth. I love the GBA and it blew my mind as a kid when it first came out. But yeah, if you're even researching the topic of retro handhelds and are watching this video, just know there are much better devices that can do a lot more out there. The answer is the RP5.

[@CaptainScarLeg]

To be fair they're not remotely in the same price bracket, but the RP5 is an excellent choice at it's price range. If you want something more versatile than the 34XX but still cheap, the Trimui handhelds are great options. The 34XX is a nostalgia device clearly intended for one main purpose and if it's exactly that purpose you're looking for then it's ideal.

[@KawikaLee408]

even though i have mixed feelings about anbernic i hope they put 2 sticks on the 34xx sp, especially if it's going to have a bit more performance. people will disagree but i'd like to see what they can do after the last couple of miyoo releases have been a bit underwhelming

[@OBGat]

To be fair my OG Gba was a DS so I don't have the same nostalgia as a lot of other people. Now there is another device I'm nostalgic for and that's the Psp. The Trimui Smart Pro fills that roll and then some. It 100% fits into that category of all-around device at least for my needs.

[@TheFirehands150]

I grew up with Gameboy pocket, but still DS was my favorite. 3ds was cute (mostly a Zelda system for me) but never reached the Greatness of DS.

[@heromedley]

had the og indigo gba that got stolen from me as a kid so i immediately ordered this one as soon as it came out on my region lmao

[@helmysurachman6749]

Well just wanna share that if you want to charge all anbernic product with type c to type c, make sure the Ampere is around 3A and NOT 5A. Some place called it as type c 2.0.

[@E.Cristian7]

It's the ninth H700 console but with the RG34XX SP incoming, there will be 10 devices or more, knowing Anbernic who knows 🤷‍♂

[@AntTheDood247]

I was going to try and fix my old GBA with a new backlit screen. But this is basically the same thing!

[@majoq4267]

Anbernic is really cashing in on that nostalgia factor...but I gotta resist, I already got the SP one...must wait for the DS remake instead..

[@JakeRandall]

Hey I don’t know if you saw but I commented on your miyoo flip video how to keep the language permanently English!

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Weird, no, I don't see it!

[@The_Answer-e8z]

best and above all most honest youtuber

[@JaizuGz]

I don't know why people is that harsh to this device, is just another h700 device with a very clear goal: perfect 3:2 gba emulation. Triggers arent perfect and are not meant to be, they are there for the ocasional other systems games. I would take this 3:2 screen to play gba games every time over a cube xx, this is smaller, feels like a gba and the gba games will take all the screen with perfect 3x and 3:2 aspect ratio, its an amazing device for people that play mostly gba. And I have an original cube which had more power and the 1:1 screen, and I sold it and stay with this device instead.

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

>I would take this 3:2 screen to play gba games every time over a cube xx, this is smaller, feels like a gba and the gba games will take all the screen with perfect 3x and 3:2 aspect ratio The screen, when playing 3:2 content on the CubeXX, is the exact same as the 34XX. You can see it here: shauninman.com/utils/screens/ However the CubeXX can get much brighter, and overall, is better.

[@chifurbr]

for nostalgia might as well find a cheap gba and restore it, it's gonna feel more rewarding that buying yet another emulation handheld

[@WillC1020]

I understand people buy it for nostalgia, I had a GBA too many years ago. Today, if you bought this RG34XX, and your 30-40s years of age, would you feel comfortable carrying this around publicly? To me the design reminds me of a toy. While other handhelds have a more modern design.

[@linkinterteid]

Не понял что там с частотой обновления экрана, может кто-нибудь объяснить?

[@Guitario666]

I skipped this one because the xxsp was just soo good

[@Tacquito]

$73 dollars is too much for these h700 devices now... Just ship them out for $65 max at launch and lower the price over time. I just don't see any more worth in them than a $50 ish value.

[@leelee7334]

He isn't including shipping.

[@leelee7334]

I just put my L & R and remap to the top two buttons and I never have to reach.

[@ToyKeeper]

I have no nostalgia for the GBA. I didn't have one, and didn't play any of its games until 2024. And after trying a couple cheap retro handhelds by Anbernic and Miyoo, I'd rather just use a phone and a controller. It gives me a much bigger, higher-res screen with fantastic shaders, better sound, better performance, and most importantly, it doesn't make my hands hurt. The 34XX would have been amazeballs a couple decades ago, but now it's kinda meh compared to other options.

[@goovindnarula6470]

the cube xx seems WAY brighter than the 34xx. my GBA device might end up being the square one and not the GBA clone xD

[@srgarathnor]

an advanced review for a man of advanced age :D

[@stefssj1291]

Wait you're 35? You look so much younger haha I thought you were in your late 20s

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Should see me without a beard! I'm like 9 at most!

[@ezhumbug]

Im waiting for Anbernic to create a PSP Go like handheld

[@cryptocsguy9282]

@ezhumbug Waiting for Anbrenic to create a handheld that plays its own games

[@Tazznessa]

I love mine

[@justchan2443]

gba form factor is peak

[@indigocurse5281]

Harsh but needed.

[@ilmco]

Anbernic has been trying to milk the GBA crowd for about a year. there are better options for half the price…I think the RG arc is about the same price and oddly enough, my favorite way to play gba games

[@jrdoughty13]

Another use case: 2d 16:9 ports

[@GamesDean88]

Yeah hard disagree here. This is an awesome form factor. Now if this would be my one amd only then yes I definitely agree, better options out there but this along side of a psp go form factor are perfect amd perfectly embellished my childhood. Love that opinions are like assholes we all got em!

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

But you just agreed with me.. :D

[@nameresu]

PRO: it's GBA, but with a bigger and better screen and no need of flash cartridge CONTRA: It's GBA, a handheld, designed literally for kids. It's just doesn't fit an adult's hands. I have a GBA, it's just sitting on the shelf, because it is uncomfortable to play. SP is better, DMG is better, GBC is better, PSP GO, Vita, any other anbernic I have and had is better. Except RG Nano.

[@jyllianrainbow7371]

OG SP, GBC and PSP GO are all smaller and harder to hold than the OG GBA. I can only hold a GBA SP for about two minutes until my hands start feeling cramped.

[@CellPhish]

I find it funny after ever one of your videos my next video that plays is always a political news video. I don't even watch those videos 😂

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

That's weird lol

[@DanielLight-cc3jb]

i've watched every review on this device, why has not a single other person brought up the refresh rate issues

[@jyllianrainbow7371]

Because there's a really easy fix to make the screen either 60hz or 120hz and that lets you enable Black Frame Insertion which turns it into the only emulation handheld capable of doing that at this price range.

[@YoungsterJory]

His lil political take at the end😂

[@GiovanniAgosto]

That's the only thing that I don't like from him...

[@Itme212]

#toethumbs

[@Paintjeezy]

Haha, salad fingers.