RG35XX vs RG35XX Plus - Is It Worth the Upgrade? (Anbernic)

With Anbernic coming out with the new RG35XX Plus, I wanted to do a quick comparison between the original Anbernic RG35XX and the Anbernic RG35XX Plus. I'll explore the main differences, where I was happy with the Plus, and where I was disappointed. Join me for the ultimate retro handheld emulation faceoff!

Purchase both handhelds here:

*Specs and other information not mentioned in the video*
RG35XX Plus:
Screen: 3.5-inch IPS full viewing angle, OCA full lamination/ 640x480
CPU: H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, 1.5GHz frequency
GPU: Dual- core G31 MP2
RAM: LPDDR4 1GB
Battery: Li-polymer battery 3300mAh

RG35XX:
Screen: 3.5-inch IPS full viewing angle, OCA full lamination/ 640x480
CPU: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A9
GPU: Quad-core PowerVR SGX544MP GPU
RAM: DDR3 256MB
Battery: Li-polymer battery 2600mAh

So the main difference that I didn't mention in the video is that the RG35XX Plus has a slightly better battery, but that might not translate into more play time if you're playing higher end games that you wouldn't on the original RG35XX. And also with the screens: there may be some slight differences, but they both look almost identical and both great. And as usual, the screen looks much better in person than on my (bad) camera.

Chapters:
Unboxing/Prices/Intro - 00:00
RG35XX vs Plus - 01:38
Turning it On - 03:26
Retro Emulation - 05:47
High-End Emulation - 07:43
Conclusion - 11:12

The above links are an affiliate link, it comes at no extra cost to you but helps support the channel and enables me to buy devices like this to review :)

[GravelWare]

Two updates:

1: This video is referencing the original model RG35XX, not the 2024 RG35XX which has different specs.

2: N64 emulation on the Plus is actually pretty decent assuming you change the GFX Plugin to "rice" in the retroarch settings, sorry for not mentioning that earlier 😅

[JohnneyleeRollins]

Hey, that was really helpful and a useful perspective on where the bump in performance might show up.

[micronesia]

Really good video and appreciate your thoughts. I recently ordered a Plus, currently use the original device but upgraded for the WiFi and button improvements.

Once GarlicOS is fully stable, I really believe performance and usability will be seriously improved - much like how the OG device became 10x better with GarlicOS.

[Agumon]

Some folks are saying that the upgrade is monumental. I don't believe that to be the case at all. Yes, you can technically run N64 and Dreamcast on it now, but why would you want to without an analog stick? It's abundantly clear the RG35XX and the plus were not designed to play those systems. And while you can certainly use cumbersome software solutions to mess with the controls, this is not going to be a great gaming experience for those games that require analog use.

This device is fundamentally designed to play PS1 and under systems. That's what it does well. Anything beyond that is really not going to be optimal, better to choose a similarly priced device that is designed for those games if that is what you want.

Really, even for PS1 the design of the system isn't optimal ... But it works. These budget handhelds live for the 2D GBC, GBA, SNES, Genesis, and other such systems.

[TomDuhamel]

The default setting for N64 has unfortunately picked the wrong GFX processor. After you've opened any N64 game in RA, hit Menu and scroll down to Options (from the quick menu). In there, find GFX plugin and change it to "Rice". As you are there, also change the resolution to 640x480, which is the natural resolution of the screen. The majority of your games will now run at 60fps. You will still find that N64 emulation is really pushing it on this device, and some games have major issues (unimplemented features among other things), but for the most part you will enjoy your time.

[justinw]

I did my research had the miyoo mini plus that broke because SD card was unmounted. This so far is amazing. Loving it and it's easy to upload games on it.

[truerequiem]

I'm disappointed that they don't have a transparent purple like on the rg35xx. That one is my favorite color.

[xarifab]

Awesome vid. Can you please do a Botacera full guide for the the rg35xx h? ✌🏾

[pierre]

Thanks for the review. In your opinion, for an actual emulation purpose and not abstract benchmarks, can a RK3566 emulate things that this device can't ?

[mdtaranto]

The OG 35XX is on sale on the tiktok shop for $30. Figure I couldn't go wrong for that price. I already do most of my emulation on my steam deck, but this will be nice for a little gaming I can throw in my pocket. Thanks for the comparo video, helped me a ton!

[GAusty]

I want the plus simply for the retroarch. Since the Rg35xx dosnt have it

[Ilresi]

Is there any reason to get a micro sd card for this?

[wfmcgsg]

I recently bought an Rg35xx but some games ar missing like snes mario kart. The games I like, do you know where I can download the game from on the memory stick? I mean which website can I use to download it from? Im just struggling with putting new games onto a memory sd card. Any help appreciated.

[aleisterxx]

Watched many reviews of the original and the Plus version for a week so I can decide for my first handheld and decided to buy the Plus version because it was only around 40$ (because of discounts).. cheaper than the original.. 😂

[Kristofferheihei]

Can the new Plus model run gba games in fast forward? Particularly Pokemon games. The original fails to run them any faster than maybe 2x at best.. Can the Plus model actually run them in 4 and 8x??

[bmwmd]

What the point of 3d emulation without twin sticks?

[obelisk_hd]

Does the rg35xx original support bluetooth audio?

[turnbasedtoddy]

The price difference is so small it wouldn’t make sense to go with the old model. Now, if you already have the old model to me, there’s no reason to upgrade. I got one and I was very disappointed with Dreamcast. Sure they run, but they only run at 240P and it looks like trash. PSP doesn’t really run well and with N64 it’s the same thing they only run at 240P . It just looks so bad.

[MrDoha]

thank you for the tutorial, ihave a question please, i have an original rg35xx is there a way to upgrade it to run pc games like crazi taxi or gta vice city?

[spit.luvrrr]

how much is shipping and how long does it take to ship?