Anbernic RG35XX 3.5" screen small retro handheld - console

The small retro gaming console for the occasional gamer that's also a great size for the kids

The RG35XX is Anbernic's response to the Miyoo Mini. While slightly more powerful and bigger, this console comes in cheaper, brings Game Boy nostalgia and still plays the classics for longer with the upgraded 2600 mAh battery.

RG35XX size comparison

The 35XX is bigger than the Miyoo Mini, a fair bit smaller than the 351V, and a tad smaller than the 353V, but super close in size compared to the older Anbernic RG300.

The 35XX is pocketable, and more hand-friendly for a smallish handheld console - allowing for more comfortable gameplay in a kid-friendly size, while super portable for gameplay wherever you are with a super crisp screen.

The ideal Kids Retro gaming handheld console

The RG35XX is a small compact well-built console with an easy-to-use interface that can't be tampered with at a very affordable price. 

While the 351P handheld is faster it's also more expensive at $156 - $209. This makes the 35XX our cheapest quality handheld.

RG35XX build quality

For a cheaper retro console, the 35XX still brings across a quality 3.5" super crisp screen compared to Miyoo Mini's 2.5". It brings across 2 Micro SD slots 1 for OS and 1 for additional games, a smaller DPad, and rear shoulder buttons. On the front, we have an RG351V-style front-facing mono speaker.

Controls and display are enjoyable and playing the classics with a Dpad is easy, great fun, and reminiscent of old-school consoles.

Enhanced gameplay

Using the OTG port on the base you can connect an additional gamepad for P1 or P2. If you chose to, with a USB hub you can connect additional gamepads. This can be taken to the next level with your TV and HDMI out located at the top of the unit.

Turning this into a fun budget-priced retro gaming console that can play up to PS1 titles.

Interface

The RG35XX comes with a fixed operating system that unlike its faster counterparts does not use EmulationStation or RetroArch and cannot be changed out for custom firmware. What does this mean? tweaking is currently at an absolute minimum and you won't be able to make screen size or ratio changes, nor deep dive into tweaking like you can with Custom Firmware found on the 351P and upward Anbernic retro gaming consoles.

Does the Anbernic RG35XX come with games included?

Yes, the 35XX includes a 64GB micro sd card with over 3,600 titles. The game list for the Anbernic RG35XX spans the following consoles, so yes you may have the same game on a different console/platform;

• Capcom - CPS
• Final Burn Alpha - FBA
• Famicom - FC
• Game Boy - GB
• Game Boy Color - GBC
• Game Boy Advance - GBA
• Game Gear - GG
• Mega Drive - MD
• Neo Geo
• Neo Geo Pocket Color - NGPC
• PC Engine
• Playstation - PS1
• Super Famicom - SFC
• Sega Master System - SMS
• Wonderswan
• Vertical Mame Games

 

Keep in mind PS1 and Dreamcast title playability will vary on the 35XX. If you're looking to play N64 games on the 35XX you would be better off looking at the Anbernic RG 353 range of consoles including 353V, 353P, and 353M.

Adding games to your RG35XX

While you can read the Micro SD card the 35XX ships with, adding ROMS to this card does not show them in the main menu. This is where the secondary slot comes in. You will need to format a second card to FAT32 and insert it into the TF2/EXT slot. Boot the device up and it should set up the required game folder structure on the card for you.

Shut down the console by going into >Settings >Shut down.

Copy your ROMs into the required folders, insert the card back into TF2, and turn it on. Once you have booted up with 2 Micro SD cards, when you select games, it will ask you if you want to access the External Card or the Built-in card. Please ensure you check the main card for what format each console's games are in and replicate the same on card 2. 

Custom firmware

Garlic OS, being an offshoot of Onion is in its early stages. Fingers crossed in the coming month or so it will be stable enough to release as will dramatically increase the console's potential in regards to consoles and ROMs it can emulate up to the PS1 level.

Console details

Type:	RG35XX
Processor:	Quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU with Quad-core PowerVR SGX544MP GPU
Video playback:	RM, RMVB, AVI, MKV, WMV, VOB, MOV, FLV, ASF, DAT, MP4, 3GP, MPG, MPEG
Colours:	Black, White
Screen:	3.5" IPS Screen, OCA full lamination 640 × 480, 4:3 ratio
Memory:	DDR3 256MB
Storage:	Dual Micro SD slots. Includes primary 64GB Micro SD card. 2nd slot is used for optional game expansion
Audio:	Forward-facing mono speaker
Controls:	DPad, buttons, and rear shoulder triggers with feedback rumble/vibration feature
WiFi:	N/A
Interface type:	USB 2.0 - Charge and file transfer
Supported game formats:	20+ formats including Amiga, Atari, Capcom CPS1, CPS2, Game Boy, ColecoVision, GBA, GBC, NeoGeo, NES & Nintendo64, Playstation, PSP
Connectivity:	Wired and 2.4Ghz wireless controller, HDMI output.
Battery:	Upgraded Li-polymer 2600 mAH rechargeable battery with up to 5hrs.
Charge:	Recommended 5V, 1.5A. Avoid higher voltage as continued exposure can cause damage.
Size  (cm) :	About 11.7w * 8.1h * 2.0d
Weight:	165G
Material:	Plastic

 

What's in the box

1 x Game console
1 x USB charging cable
1 x User manual
1 x toughened Screen protector

 

The boring stuff

- Due to the light and screen differences, the colour of the item may be slightly different from the pictures.
- Please allow up to 1cm size difference due to manual measurement.
- Buttons and controller finish may vary depending on the model and colour.