Is the Anbernic RG505 Getting Better? (Second Look Review)

The Anbernic RG505 has recently received a refresh thanks to new custom software called GammaOS, and so in this video we're going to take a new look at the handheld and see if it's worth considering in 2023. How does its strengths (PS Vita OLED panel, performance vs price) stack up against its shortcomings?

Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:20 software improvements
03:32 screen improvements
05:11 screen shortcomings
06:36 hardware limitations
08:46 build quality and performance
10:45 pricing, battery life, sound quality
12:35 summary and conclusion

Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:

This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.

#Anbernic #RG505 #PSVita #PSP

[woahnelly]

This was exactly the second look comparison I have been waiting for! Thank you Russ for your dedication and consistency, cheers from Australia

[Nick]

I bought the Retroid Pocket 3+ and the RG505. I will say, that the Retroid is my go to, however I still love the RG505. The RG505 is more of a novelty item that I use to play N64 games, and occoasionally Gamecube. The Retroid Pocket 3 has HDMI out and I use to plug into my tv. As mentioned the RG505 has an amazing battery life and I've gotten close to a week without charging it. I haven't tried Gamma OS and looking forward to how that goes as well. Thanks RGC for all you do!

[FUNKYTOWN]

My 505 is being delivered today, im excited to try it out. Thanks for the info man!

[LessonsOnTheWeb]

Underrated device IMO. Bought it out of spite after Retroid announced the RP3+ the day I got my RP3 in the mail lol. I think this is a great alternative to RP3+ if you prefer better color saturation and pixel response over the higher resolution and brightness. Will have to try this new OS soon.

[sydeshowjoe]

Thanks Russ for the videos! I've tried asking a few times about the best handheld around 200 for GameCube gaming, but I think my comments get buried under the other's. Hoping a small tip might get an answer. The more videos I watch, the more confused I get about which handheld I should go with, there's soo many options.

Thanks as always for your great videos.

[joshuasavoy]

Glad I kept my Anbernic RG505. Great value especially with the new Gamma OS installed. Thanks for the tutorial. Maybe we can get a video of how to setup Dijishu with Gamma OS and the 505? Specifically in setting up emulators, bios and cores. Thanks!

[TorgoHiggins]

I settled on an rg505 a couple weeks ago. I'm fairly pleased with it. It does all the wider aspect ratio stuff I wanted at a pretty low price, plus I got the pleasant surprise of updated optimized software and some better-than-expected PS2 performance. I also don't have much of an issue with the ergonomics. The only real sticking point I have is the lack of video out, but that's a optional feature for me on a handheld. I can take it or leave it.

[lazyreuvin]

Gamma OS is such a game changer. I just got the RG405M and was defnitely a bit disappointed with the stock experience. Now that I'm on GammaOS it's an amazing little device!!

[RideByAquib]

505 was not my first choice (no stacked triggers, no video out) but I couldn’t get a RP3+ where I live (lots of love from India, btw😊). To be honest when I first booted it up, i was a bit let down because even though the screen is oled, it has some noticeable defects (small marks) when displaying certain shades of plain colours (fairly common as per reddit).
Rather than asking for a refund or replacement, I thought I’d give it a couple of days to at-least see the performance. I have owned a psx and psp growing up so i tried several games and I must say i got hooked immediately to the gameplay and controls.

Its been a few months and i’ve grown extremely fond of the device. Yes there are visible screen defects but only noticeable when playing in a dark environment on dull loading screens - they are completely indistinguishable when actually playing anything. I’m a big fan of rpgs so the only time i’ve missed stacked triggers is when i replayed metal gear solid. All psp games I’ve tried work flawlessly at 3x and look lovely on the oled. I really don’t mind the Anbernic logo as it fades away when immersed in a game. I don’t have any other retro handheld but I do have a ps4 and i must say the controls on the 505 are excellent as going back and forth between a ds4 controller and this device, i can only appreciate the quality of the buttons and controls.

Overall, in conclusion i’ll say i’m glad i did not return the device because its an extremely well done package and definitely underrated since it draws so many comparisons to the rp3+ and gets overshadowed by the 405. If 16:9 gameplay AND oled gameplay is what you want- this little guy is the only one in the android space that fits the bill. Also, i’ve said all the above without trying GammaOS. I’m very excited to install it next month once I have access to my home pc - looking forward to the screen and performance improvements. Loved that Russ showed some much needed love and a re-look at this gem of a handheld. Kudos to the GammaOS team for breathing new life into this one🎉

P.s. i don’t miss the tv out anymore too - at least when I’m home. I have set up retroarch in my home pc which is hooked up to my tv so i can either play on monitor or tv. Saves get synced between the 505 and pc. Tricky to set up but works flawlessly now.😊

[modernallie]

I grabbed the 505 at launch and it has been my go to ever since

[Arcade]

My biggest issue with the RG505 are the color options. The clear black of the 353v would be perfect for this handheld.

[cspauldingb]

Russ, love your vids. RG505 is my go to for sure after the Gamma update, the software experience has made an otherwise run of the mill into something special.

[Dstring]

I really enjoyed this video because with how quickly new handhelds are rolling out, many of us have our now “older” devices collecting dust- it would be great to see some videos revisiting some older devices that still have potential to see how they hold up today and how they can be best utilized. For example, I have an Anbernic RG350M and an RG351M that I would love to start using again simply because I don’t want to continue seeing them sitting in a drawer. Thanks in advance, and thank you for continuing to give us great content!

[Chinco_NL]

I like my RG505. Rebuild it with the abxy buttons of a RG405M, white buttons and ring around and a yellow back on my gray device. A bit of a mix (ok, Frankenstein), but I was surprised anbernic supports the community by selling those parts separately. Too bad I cannot show pictures here.

I have a later model and most of the cons are already gone with my stock os: play store, no sharpening and great performance. Great for DS games also, as long as it's not too Heavenly leaning on two screens.

Als you said, it's a nice device in between. If you only own one, as I do, it's a great fit.

Thanks for your hard work, Russ. I couldn't do it with the dedication you show!

[jacklindsay]

Thanks for all these awesome reviews! You opened me up to this industry and I would've been stumbling if not for your research and tips. I've got a few Anbernic devices stacking up now, let's hope they keep on making good devices!

[Sukainuu]

Right as I'm thinking about getting it, I get a video from you. You're the best man

[jaydarke]

Honestly. I’ve been playing this out of box since I got it last March. And it plays everything I’ve thrown at it with zero issue. Plus my 12 year old daughter has no issues playing it. Win/win!

[DecAllTimeAlways]

My favorite gaming generation based on software: 4th gen. It's becoming that again over the 5th and 6th but I always loved the 16-bit era. My most played game ever is really Super Mario World. Maybe Tekken 3 prior since I played that constantly from 1998-2001 but it's really SMW. I still play it over 30 years later.

When I started getting into emulation with my first gen iPod touch and PSP phat, Super Mario World was always the first one I would try to beat. It's the perfect 2D platformer. Levels are not long and super difficult that you're stuck in a death loop. I got the 96 exits multiple times.

A game like Breath of the Wild puts me to sleep like a lot of Chris Nolan movies do like Interstellar and Dunkirk. But Super Mario World always keeps me engaged. It's the perfect Mario game to me and Nintendo's greatest game. Has a reward system good for ADHD and quick dopamine hits like playing a slot machine.

I used to have a hard time picking between Super Mario World or Sonic 2. I prefer Sonic as a character but I think SMW is the superior game. Way more secrets makes it way more replayable. I've beaten Sonic 2 many times including getting all the Chaos emeralds without the sound code but don't have the same urge to keep replaying it like I have for SMW.

I think my brain works better for 2D games moving left or right than being in a 3D environment. The controls for 3D are frustrating. Camera will mess you up a lot. If I'm not playing Super Mario World, I'm playing tons of Super Street Fighter II (MAME) on my modded Vita 2K. I think the 16-bit era had the most replayable games.

The best generation for hardware is always the current one we live in. But the best software experience for me came out like 30 years ago. Gawd, I miss those days being ages 11 to 14 and going to the arcade with my cousins or friends and playing SF2 and MK. Beating The Simpsons, TMNT, and X-Men with random strangers. Reading EGM and GamePro.

The game I do play a lot on my Switch is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It can be frustrating since blue and red shells will hit me a lot when I'm in first place playing 150cc or higher. But it's the best Mario Kart game ever made surpassing my favorites in Double Dash!! and Super Mario Kart (the most balanced). SNES had arguably the greatest library ever.

[TheYakumoWay]

I've seen like 5 of your videos, think you for all the detailed dives you take. It's layed out well, easy to follow and you kept me interested, awesome worl

[AllenSettle]

Awesome video as always! I have the rg405m with gammaOS and am able to cast the screen on the TV using a play store app, and it works really well!