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Retro Gaming - Anbernic RG351p Portable Handled

Retro Gaming: The Anbernic RG351p Review

Retro gaming has come a long way since the early PC emulators. I was curious about how well a portable handheld could handle emulation and am impressed with the Anbernic RG351p. Based on online reviews, the RG351p is probably the best handheld for those serious about portable retro gaming and who want to own just one device.

I have to agree with those reviews and was able to start gaming within 10 seconds of owning the device. This by itself is impressive.

The RG351p is by no means perfect, but there are no perfect portable handhelds. Its competitors using the same chipset may have features and capabilities that outclass the RG351p, but they also come with their own drawbacks.

The target audience for the RG351p is casual gamers who plan to spend 15 to 30 minutes in a gaming session. It can run for longer multi-hour sessions, but really this is for casual gamers.

When shopping around for a portable device, I evaluated the following options:

  • Retroid Pocket 2
  • RGB 10
  • RG351p
  • RG351m
  • RG351mp

Based on my research, the RG351p wins. I measured this in seven categories:

  • Emulation Speed
  • User Interface (UI)
  • Screen Quality
  • Battery Life
  • Ergonomics
  • Build Quality
  • Features

1. Emulation Speed - RG Series Wins

While all of the devices use the same chipset and have similar processing and RAM specs, the RG series tends to run faster on startup. You can be gaming within 10 seconds of powering on the RG351p, whereas it takes closer to a minute to start up a Retroid Pocket 2.

Once they are running, they are basically the same based on online reviews. RG’s get 1 point, others get ½ point.

2. User Interface (UI) - RG Series Wins

If you’re new to retro gaming, portable handhelds, and have limited technical knowledge in configuring or tinkering, the RG series wins again. Out of the box, it’s ready to go. The others require configuration and tinkering to make the games run perfectly.

Now, the RG series’ default operating system is not perfect. I had to adjust the video settings, as the default settings make some games look terrible. There are online guides on how to fix the settings.

Another inherent weakness of the RG default operating system is that powering off and switching between games and emulators requires several navigation and button clicks.

RG’s get 1 point, others get ½ point.

3. Screen Quality - RGB 10 Wins

The RG351p uses the same 3.5-inch size screen as the other devices in its class but has a lower 480 x 240 resolution compared to the 640 x 480 of most other devices. This is a bummer for some newer generation consoles, but it doesn’t matter for anything PS1, GBA, SNES, or older.

On a technical specification level, the RGB10 with a large 5.5-inch display at 854 x 480 takes the win. I still give a nod to those with the 640 x 480 resolution.

RGB10 gets 1 point; the Pocket 2 and RG351mp get ½ point.

4. Battery Life - RG351p Wins

Based on what I can tell, this device will run as advertised for 5 to 6 hours on a full charge. Most others in this class have similar specs, but the lower resolution screen actually improves battery life by about 30 to 45 minutes of extra game time.

RG351p gets 1 point; the rest get ½ point.

5. Ergonomics - Tie

My hands start to hurt after a heavy gaming session, but I think it's the inherent size of this form factor. All devices get ½ point.

6. Build Quality - RG Series Wins

I cannot comment firsthand on the other devices, as I don't own or have handled them, but from what I have seen in online reviews, the RG series tends to have better overall build quality. I can attest that the RG351p is quite well built.

RG and Retroid get 1 point; all others get ½ point.

7. Features - Except RG351p, All Others Are Better

Next to the lower resolution screen, this is where the RG351p loses out. It lacks built-in WiFi, which all other systems have by default. While few in its class have it, older generation handhelds supported HDMI video out.

RG351p gets ½ point; all others get 1 point.

Final Score

Giving 1 point for a win and ½ point for a tie, the RG351mp has the highest score, followed by the RG351m and RGB 10. So technically, those would be the 'better' handhelds.

  • Retroid Pocket 2 - 4.5
  • RGB 10 - 5.5
  • RG351p - 5.0
  • RG351m - 5.5
  • RG351mp - 5.5

Closing - RG351p Wins Due to Price

Although the RG351p has a lower score of 5.0 relative to its RG cousins, the price difference between the models is too significant to ignore. The RG351p can be found for $40 to $60 cheaper than an RG351m and maybe $60 to $80 cheaper than an RG351mp. You are not getting 50 to 100% better of a handheld relative to the price, so when I factor in the cost of the device, the RG351p wins.

There is no perfect handheld. Nearly everyone online agrees that there is always something left wanting in each device. In the end, we are all drawn to retro gaming for different reasons, and for me, I just want something casual.

2/7/2022 - 6 Month Review Update

I barely use the handheld now. It sits on a shelf, and sometimes I might turn it on and play a few minutes of a game, but I'm not sure why. I just don't find it as exciting as before.

I forgot about it while I was flying for 9 hours and instead just watched movies. Your mileage may vary, but after a while, the novelty of a portable retro handheld loses steam.

8/1/2022 - 1 Year Review Update

Put simply, the RG351P makes retro gaming convenient. I haven't touched it for months, but about a month ago, I picked it up and started gaming again, and it works perfectly.

While the ergonomics are not ideal for extended gameplay, it’s one of those devices you want to engage with for a short gaming stint of 15 to 30 minutes and up to an hour at a time.

12/11/22

I am still using this device and finding it helps satisfy my retro gaming needs. I may consider the newer RG353P, but honestly, for what I use this for, the only thing that might matter is a bigger screen.




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