Retro Joy Lab 레트로 즐거움의 활력소

[태그:] RG35XX H

  • RG35XX H Review – Lightweight 3.5″ Retro Handheld with Stereo Sound

    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]

  • RG40XX H Review – A Bigger, Better 4:3 Retro Handheld

    By Super Asurada 77 | Retro Joy Lab

    Hello everyone, this is Super Asurada 77.

    The Anbernic RG40XX H is the latest evolution of the RG35XX H,
    upgrading from a 3.5-inch screen to a 4-inch display with a true 4:3 aspect ratio.
    It’s designed for retro gamers who love that CRT-era feel with a bit more screen real estate.

    As always, the packaging is classic Anbernic — clean and familiar.

    Hmm… this time, there’s no protective film included in the box.

    The 4-inch 4:3 screen looks fantastic — bright, crisp, and easy on the eyes.

    At first, you might think,
    “Half an inch bigger? That’s nothing!”
    But once you play, the difference is surprisingly noticeable.

    When compared side-by-side with the RG35XX H,
    they may look similar in photos,
    but in real life the visual comfort is night and day.

    Your eyes will thank you! 👀

    At just 201 grams, it’s lightweight and comfortable even for long play sessions.

    For RPG lovers, this handheld is perfect —
    the 4:3 screen feels natural,
    and your wrists won’t get tired after hours of gameplay.

    The small green indicator light at the top isn’t distracting when playing in the dark.

    When I first pressed the power button,
    I couldn’t even tell if it registered —
    it’s that subtle.

    Once you get used to it, it’s fine,
    but people with larger hands might find it slightly awkward to press.

    The analog stick is placed very close to the D-pad,
    so occasionally you’ll feel some interference when using the D-pad —
    especially during platformers like Super Mario.

    It’s a minor annoyance, but noticeable.

    The user interface is identical to the RG35XX H.
    If you’ve used any of the previous models, you’ll feel right at home.

    GBA games automatically adjust to a 3:2 aspect ratio,
    and the system adds bezel borders for you,
    so there’s no need for manual tweaking.

    In terms of performance, I recommend playing PS1 and below.

    Some Dreamcast titles are playable,
    but you’ll experience lag in demanding games like Dead or Alive 2.

    For Super Famicom (SNES) titles like Yoshi’s Island:
    if you stretch the image to full screen, you’ll notice frame drops.
    However, if you play with a 1:1 aspect ratio and bezel on,
    it runs smoothly.

    For NDS games:
    turn off High Resolution Mode and set Frame Skip to 0
    for the best results.

    For example, New Super Mario Bros. runs fine —
    even with High Res enabled, only the map screen slows slightly,
    while in-game performance remains smooth.

    PSP games are mixed:
    3D titles like Ridge Racer will stutter,
    but 2D games such as Super Robot Wars A Portable
    run well even at 2× resolution.

    For charging, use a 5V 1.5A or 5V 2A charger
    with proper safety certification (KS or UL).

    ⚠️ Important Safety Notes:

    • Do NOT use 9V or hybrid 5V/9V fast chargers — it can fry the board.
    • Avoid 5V 1A chargers — they can overheat.
    • Always turn off the device before charging.
    • Don’t fall asleep with the charger plugged in.
      You never know what might happen — safety first!

    If you want a lightweight, 4-inch 4:3 handheld
    that’s perfect for PS1 and older retro games,
    the RG40XX H is an excellent choice.

    Clear visuals, comfortable ergonomics, and great nostalgia value —
    it’s a solid upgrade from the RG35XX H.

    Enjoy your retro gaming life!
    🎮 — Super Asurada 77

    Original article in Korean: [link]