Past Entries
In this section we’ll look at older entries which have been put aside to make room for newer and better retro handheld emulators. But make no mistake, if you can find them, they’re still great handhelds of their own!
RG351MP
What is it?
The RG351MP can be considered the swan-song of the third generation of ANBERNIC retro handhelds, combining multiple well-received traits into one singular unit.
The first of these two traits is the signature 4:3, 640×480 display of the RG351V. This aspect ratio allows for pixel-perfect scaling of the vast majority of retro titles. Because back during the period that most of the platforms that this handheld can emulate were released, 4:3 aspect ratios were the norm.
The second well-received trait is the metal shell of the RG351M. While metal shells do make the unit very slightly heavier, they provide an overall “premium” feeling to the unit.
The final feature carried forward from older versions is the dual-microSD card design. Instead of requiring everything to be present one one microSD card, it is possible to split the operating system and game collections onto separate cards, making it easier to manage.
The SoC used in the RG351MP is the RockChip RK3326, meaning that up until the 5th generation of consoles, performance is near-perfect across the board. Once the 5th generation is reached, only Playstation 1 emulation is mostly issue-free. Other platforms are mostly unplayable (Dreamcast/Saturn) or only playable on a game-by-game basis (N64).
Curiously, PSP emulation is also surprisingly stable (comparable to the N64).
To learn more about this grand finale for the 351 retro handheld emulators, check out our RG351MP review, or buy an RG351MP from DroiX today.
What we like!
- A crisp, 4:3 display allows for pixel-perfect scaling of the vast majority of retro platforms.
- Premium, weighty feeling metal shell.
What we don’t like!
- No internal Wi-Fi means you will need a dongle.
- It’s a little late – with the next “generation” of handhelds being just around the corner.
RG351V
The ANBERNIC RG351V is the third entry in Anbernic’s third generation of retro handheld emulators. With its most immediately striking trait being it’s unique form factor (compared to the RG351P and RG351M).
Unlike its contemporaries, the RG351V adopts a vertical layout. With a 640×480, 4:3 display situated above the controls. This grants a different sense of ergonomics which may or may not sit right for some people depending on their preferences.
Like the RG351P and RG351M, the RG351V features the same Rockchip RK 3266 SoC. So it is capable of playing much of the same titles. However, the 4:3 display allows it to make fuller use of the screen in general, as it is more compatible with a wider range of retro consoles.
The RG351V also features a welcome return of the twin-SD-card system that was seen in the RG350 generation. Enabling you to separately manage your firmware and game collections with ease.
Like the 351M, it also features built-in Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a USB wi-fi dongle.
Overall, we find the RG351V to easily be one of the best retro handhelds available. Thanks to its combination of an affordable pricepoint.
To learn more about this incredible retro handheld, we encourage you to check out our RG351V review! Additionally, take a look at some of the best RG351 custom firmware to really enhance your experience with this device!
What we like!
- 4:3 display is perfect for retro gaming.
- Two microSD card slots!
- Built-in Wi-Fi eliminates need for dongle.
What we don’t like!
- Missing a second analogue stick. Non-essential, but a shame all the same.
GameForce Chi
What is it?
The GameForce Chi is the brainchild of a newcomer to the retro handheld scene, aptly named “GameForce” – this unusual looking handheld hit the market in mid 2021.
Although met with positive reception, it was unfortunately overlooked due to the market already being heavily saturated with a variety of RK3326 handhelds at the time. There simply wasn’t much room for it to make significant headway.
But that’s not to say it’s any less than its competition! In terms of performance, the GameForce Chi is the same as any Rk3326 handheld in performance. Enjoying near-perfect speeds in anything PS1 and earlier. With N64 and PSP emulation being shaky, and Saturn/Dreamcast and beyond being mostly unplayable.
The GameForce Chi also features a high-quality 480p IPS display with a 4:3 ratio, making this retro handheld perfect for faithfully emulating all the classic games.
To learn more about this retro handheld, check out our review. You can also buy a GameForce Chi from DroiX today!
What we like!
- Visually distinct, playful design.
- 4:3 display!
- Officially supported by EmuELEC.
What we don’t like!
- Lack of buttons… No L3/R3 or volume wheel/rocker.
- Arrived in an already saturated market
Retroid Pocket 2
What is it?
The Retroid Pocket 2 is an uncommon handheld in many aspects. First of all, it is one of the few handhelds of its release window to feature the Android operating system, instead of the traditional proprietary, or open-source Linux-based retro handheld.
Second, it deviates away from the RockChip SoC and instead uses a Cortex-A7. Although the real-world performance is strikingly close to that of the RK3326, with no significant advantages or disadvantages worth noting.
Because the device runs Android, you will already have access to a number of mature, optimized emulators straight out of the box. With more that can be added at your leisure (note however that the Play Store is disabled by default, as it can be a resource-hog on low-spec devices).
One extra cool thing that the Retroid Pocket 2 retro handheld emulator can do is stream games via Steam Link or similar applications, allowing it to technically “play” games well above its weight (with the caveat being minor input delay).
The Retroid Pocket 2 also comes in a host of different colours, making it an excellent gift for siblings, as each can have their own unique appearance.
Check out our review, or buy one today!
What we like!
- Android! Has access to a wide variety of emulators out-of-the-box.
- Variety of colours, makes a great gift for multiple people at once.
- Retroid OS is useful for retro gaming novices.
What we don’t like!
- Lack of digital buttons – this is mostly our preference however.
- Android UI can be a little sluggish.
RG300X
What we like!
- A double-whammy of nostalgia, with evocative colours and a separately reminiscent form.
- It’s the first ANBERNIC handheld with a (mini-)HDMI output in quite some time.
What we don’t like!
- Chipset is slightly outdated.
- Glossy finish means its a fingerprint magnet.
- Start/Select LEDs are somewhat unnecessary.
What is it?
The RG300X is an oddity of a handheld that got released in between the RG351V and the RG351MP. Being the first retro handheld emulator in some time to make use of the Ingenic JZ42770 chipset. Something that had been used in the previous generation of ANBERNIC handhelds.
With the older chipset comes a drop in performance compared to the 351 family. While Playstation 1 emulation is pretty much perfect, anything from the same generation or newer is non-functional.
The lower performance comes in tandem with a lower price-point, making at more cost-effective gift for a geek or gamer in your life.
An extra cool feature of the RG300X is the ability to – through a mini-HDMI port – output the device’s display to a larger TV or monitor. This is a feature that was unfortunately absent throughout the 351 generation.
To get more information on this retro handheld, check out our review. You can also buy one today from DroiX!
RetroFlag GPI Case
What we like!
- A highly nostalgic design that is instantly recognizable from a glance.
- The DIY nature of the unit makes a nice short tech-y project for both young and old.
- The cartridge system is really cool!
What we don’t like!
- Not all that powerful.
- Nostalgia does not overcome a lack of ergonomics – there is a reason the design was moved on from in future iterations.
What is it?
The RetroFlag GPI Case is unique among the other offerings here. It is, in and of itself, not a gaming handheld. Rather, it is a shell designed to be used with the Raspberry Pi Zero and Raspberry Pi Zero W. Which are two very small single-board computers used in a variety of applications.
One such application happens to be gaming. The Raspberry Pi Zero line is powerful enough to handle platforms up until the 16-bit era. Beyond that however, things quickly become unplayable.
The defining feature of the RetroFlag GPI case is easily its design. And any gamer even slightly versed in the history of the medium should be able to immediately identify it as a homage to the Game Boy. It’s even powered by AA batteries!
To assemble the unit (as it does not come pre-assembled), you connect the PCB with the Raspberry pi in the “cartridge” of the unit. You can then insert and remove it, much like you could in a real game boy. It is not a complex process, requiring no more than a small phillips-head screwdriver.
If you’re interested in purchasing a RetroFlag GPi Case, you can buy one from DroiX as either a standalone case, or a pre-assembled unit complete with a Raspberry Pi Zero W.
Recap
Check out all the best retro handheld emulators featured in this article below!
| Model | Processor | Display | Operating System | Purchase Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retroid Pocket 2 Plus | Unisoc Tiger T310; Quad-core @ 1.8GHz | 640x480p; 4:3; 3.5″ | Android 9.0 | Buy Now |
| MIYOO MINI | ARM Cortex-A7 dual core @ 1.2GHz | 640x480p; 4:3; 2.8″ | Custom (Linux based) | Buy Now |
| ANBERNIC RG351MP | RockChip RK3326; Quad-core @ 1.5GHz | 640x480p; 4:3; 3.5″ | EmuELEC (Custom) | Buy Now |
| Gameforce Chi | RockChip RK3326; Quad-core @ 1.5GHz | 640x480p; 4:3; 3.45″ | EmuELEC (Official) | Buy Now |
| RetroFlag GPi | Variable (Depends on Raspberry Pi used) | 320x240p; 4:3; 2.8″ | Variable (RetroPie, Lakka, etc.) | Buy Now |
| Retroid Pocket 2 | Cortex-A7; Quad-core @ 1.5GHz | 640x480p; 4:3; 3.5″ | Android 6.0 + RetroidOS | Buy Now |
| RG300X | Ingenic JZ4770; Dual-Core @ 1.0GHz, Dual-Core | 480×320; 3:2; 3″ | OpenDinguX | Buy Now |
| RG552 | Rockchip RK3339 @ 1.8GHz; Hexa-Core | 1920×1152; 5:3; 3.36″ | Android 7.1 + Batocera | Buy Now |
