Well, I’m sure most know by now that I’ve been reviewing handhelds for a good while. Anbernic sent over the 12GB/256GB ‘RG 477V’ handheld they released (this stands for ‘Retro Gaming’ - 4.7" Vertical and the other 7 denotes their higher tier set inside), which runs Android 14, for me to review. And…well, I did so.
It’s a much bigger handheld, and a vertical (the kind I have the least experience using), which was newish to me.
This is capable of upscaling PS2 games around 5x, playing full PC games via GameHub Lite (but…not all games, they’ll have to be lil fellows), and even some Switch games. Its a very powerful handheld. I went into it not expecting to love it, but…yeah I got won over.
In the end (since I finished my review), it’s just been playing original Game Boy games. The solid, thunky d-pad makes playing all the ollllllld games just so satisfying.
Or, as I always do, just…ask me something here about it, if you’re curious but don’t want to read a long review!
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I have a couple of questions, one about this device and one for anyone just in general:
- For Android games, does this have the actual Google play store? Or do you need to use the Aurora store? And if so, do you use a throwaway account because Google might decide that they aren’t OK with that someday?
- This is available with 8 GB or 12 GB of memory. I’ve never played PS2 games on one of these handhelds before – would 8 GB be fine for that?
- Yes, this is Google Play certified, so it has the full Google Play Store to access. But, if you’d prefer some anonymity, feel free to install Aurora!
I don’t typically bother with a throwaway account. MFC makes any risk well and truly mitigated, but I also don’t use Google, so if the worst of the worst did happen, I wouldn’t be sad. You can do either, but I and most reviewers I know don’t bother with a dummy account!
- Yes the 8GB will be well and truly fine to run PS2 games! Think of the 12 as essential for PC games (via GameHub Lite), it just gives you the headroom to make that an easier experience. You’ll be able to play and upscale PS2 perfectly fine with the 8GB version.
:)
I got a knock off(and much lower powered) version of this guy! Called an r36s.i love it so much! Plays up to most Dreamcast and psp and a handful of n64 games.
Dunno what it is about the form factor that make me like it more than my switch form factor guys.
The R36S is so popular that it transcended being a niche hobby product. They’re curated, bought and sold everywhere! Even throughout places like Instagram and TikTok. So you’re well and truly holding the most popular of the handhelds!
But do watch out, because the relative cheapness of some of these handhelds can be a dangerously slipperly slope to collecting them :P
Lol. You’re absolutely right. But I’m buying sub $100 ones cause I’m not so flush. So far I got like 5 I think. But I spend the most time on the r36s. Recently just went through all the GBA Castlevanias on 2 charges! 2! I’m talking dozens of hours and only needed to charge it once! But that was on an upgraded battery. When I replaced it I accidentally ripped the wires out of the micro jst connector, and just shoved them back in and it still works!
All that praise aside, the start button is becoming less responsive. So your mileage may vary if any other person is considering one. Also if you do get one, replace the sd card immediately! I didn’t have an issue, but have heard it is very common.
Also if you do get one, replace the sd card immediately! I didn’t have an issue, but have heard it is very common.
ABSOLUTELY replace it! They’re ticking time bombs (in a not so flash bang fashion). It will die, the question isn’t if, but when. Also the USB cable they supply? Not trustworthy for the R36S!
…that said, I’m loving that you’re so happy playing older games. The best retro handheld is the one you already own and love, after all!
This was a really nice write-up, and I’ve poked around your site some, because it’s so inviting to do so. It reminds me of the last really wonderful time on the Internet before the start of the dark ages, where people were figuring out how to bring some usability and visual class to their websites, but not everything on earth had moved to platforms like social media and microblogging sites. Bravo to you for being one of the beacons that we can still turn this thing around.
While poking around I found your review of the AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini, which I look forward to reading presently (since I just ordered one like two days ago after my Anbernic RG 35XX H went belly-up on me).
Oh thank you! So very much!
Especially for the compliments on the site. Which I should add is actually created and ran by Gardiner Bryant who you might recognize from YouTube?!, but I’m an author on the site. And his good friend. So the fact you pivoted and read through other posts, and enjoyed it?
I can’t tell you how happy that makes me (us!) :)
And you’ll love the AIR Mini, though AYANEO is currently being put through the wringer for promising the world and being very slack with deliveries. So I do hope yours get posted and delivered soon.
Thank you again!
That screen looks incredible. I’d love to have something like this, I just can’t really justify it to myself. My phone already will play pretty much anything I want to emulate, the only hassle is needing to lug a controller around (one day I’ll buy one of those backbone controllers or something).
Still, as a lover of tech and games, this kind of product speaks to me. I just WANT it. I don’t need it.
Oh I know what you mean! There’s something nice and…IDK self-contained when you have something like this. It’s so well made (Anbernic’s buttons are a lovely thing), but the screen is the shining star here. I love that its 4:3 and forced me to focus on older systems.
The most I’ve played have been Nintendo’s old Game Boy games! Oh and PS1. I’m sure there will be sales with the January discounts coming on Aliexpress, if you do get tempted though!
Tempting. Thanks for the review!
Great review! And wow, this thing looks fantastic. After using a horizontal retro emulator, I wasn’t sure if I would ever want a vertical one again. Horizontal just immediately felt so much more comfortable for me. But this one definitely looks tempting. Also, the vertical handheld I have, a Miyoo mini, is really small, so maybe that’s part of my ergonomics problem.
I have a Miyoo Mini also! Mine is a V2, but I know exactly what you mean about the small size. Its basically tinier than a deck of cards!
Between that and this, the ergonomics are night and day. Its far more comfortable. The shock was how comfortable, since it really is a big one!
But I’ve also been enjoying the Miyoo Mini Flip lately!
How do you feel about it running android instead of whatever version of linux like the other handhelds they offer? I have been looking at the rg35xx Pro. I currently have an original rg35xx from before the chip upgrade.
It has pros and cons I love how Linux has SO many options, and community builds are almost endless. But then again, Android gives you so many advantages. Emulation is a breeze, and if you adopt a front-end like Beacon, it can launch straight into that.
Android made me download a ton of 4:3 cartoons (looked amazing on the screen!), listen to music, and emulators are so very easy to use on there.
I think it’ll come down to preference, but to me Android is an asset on this one. Thinking of GameHub Lite, for example.
