By Super Asurada 77 | Retro Joy Lab
Hello everyone, this is Super Asurada 77.
Today, I’m reviewing the Anbernic RG35XX H,
a 3.5-inch retro handheld that delivers stereo sound and weighs only 185 grams —
a true lightweight champion in portable gaming.
I originally used an Odin 2, but at over 400 grams,
my wrist started to ache during long gaming sessions.
So I went on a quest for something lighter — and that led me to the RG35XX H.
While playing mostly Famicom, Mega Drive, GBA, and PS1 titles on my Odin 2,
I realized I didn’t need all that power.
I just wanted a small, efficient handheld that runs PS1 and below flawlessly.
After comparing several models — RK2023, XU10, and R36S —
I came to a few conclusions:
- The RK2023 has a faster CPU but lacks vibration support,
and the PS1’s Super Robot Wars Alpha series just isn’t the same without vibration. - The XU10 and R36S use the same CPU but also lack vibration and are vertically designed,
making them uncomfortable for long play sessions.
So, I ended up choosing the RG35XX H,
because it offers vibration feedback, stereo speakers,
and an extremely lightweight 185g design —
perfect for PS1 and earlier systems.
Controls
The controls feel solid.
The D-pad and ABXY buttons are responsive and pleasantly tactile —
a bit of resistance, but less stiff than the Retroid Pocket 2+.
Street Fighter II commands like Hadouken and Shoryuken work well (misses are probably just my skill 😅).
The R1, R2, L1, L2 buttons use clicky micro-switches.
There are also R3/L3 buttons, and the analog stick feels decent —
though for retro titles, you’ll likely stick to the D-pad.
The D-pad and stick are quite close,
so occasionally your thumb might brush the stick while using the D-pad,
but it’s not a major issue.
Overall verdict: Good feel, no major complaints.
Audio
The stereo speakers are okay —
not super crisp or bass-heavy, but clear enough and free of distortion.
You won’t get “wow” sound, but it’s listenable and balanced.
Some retro devices have problems when using 3.5mm earphones with a built-in mic,
producing muffled or incomplete audio.
The RG35XX H, however, handles all audio ranges correctly,
even with mic-equipped earphones.
For reference, the image below shows a non-mic earphone plug.
Naturally, non-mic earphones also work perfectly fine,
with full, balanced sound output.
Operating System
The handheld doesn’t support Jelos OS,
so you’ll be using the default Anbernic OS (Basetora OS is reportedly available too).
Here’s what the default UI looks like.
Under the Game Rooms section, you’ll find pre-configured systems.
Dreamcast, NDS, and MSX emulators only appear in the RetroArch menu.
Games labeled “RA Game” run directly through RetroArch.
As you can see, it supports OpenBOR and Dreamcast as well.
You’ll also find PC Engine CD, NDS, and MSX in the same section.
Display
The 3.5-inch IPS screen runs at 640×480 resolution.
It’s sharp and bright for its size.
If you’re over 40 and your eyesight isn’t what it used to be,
you might need some eye drops after long sessions 😅.
Performance
The CPU is a Cortex-A53,
which runs PS1 games perfectly fine.
- Dreamcast: titles like Soul Calibur run well.
- N64: runs, but not smoothly.
- PSP: partially playable, with occasional stutter.
Super Robot Wars A Portable runs well at 2× resolution.
If you mainly plan to play PS1 and below,
this device is just right.
Charging
Use a 5V 2A charger only.
As with most Chinese handhelds, fast chargers (9V or mixed 5V/9V) are not supported
and may damage the board.
Always charge with a 5V 2A adapter, and never overnight.
Verdict
If your eyesight is fine, this handheld is an excellent buy.
At 185 grams, it’s one of the lightest retro consoles around.
If the 3.5-inch screen feels too small, consider something larger like the RG40XX H.
If you need higher performance for systems beyond PS1,
you’ll want an Odin or Retroid Pocket 3+.
But for retro RPGs and PS1 classics,
the RG35XX H offers unbeatable portability and comfort.
Enjoy your retro gaming life!
🎮 — Super Asurada 77
Original article in Korean: [link]
