 | |
| Manufacturer | Anbernic |
|---|---|
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Ninth |
| Release date | June 2024 |
| Operating system | Linux |
| CPU | Allwinner H700 @ 1.5 GHz |
| Memory | 1 GB |
| Removable storage | MicroSD card |
TheAnbernic RG35XXSP is aLinux-basedhandheld game console created by the Chinese companyAnbernic and released in 2024. Design-wise, it is considered aclone ofNintendo's 2003 console, theGame Boy Advance SP. However, unlike its inspiration, it is a digital-only console and playsROMs stored onMicroSD card through the use ofemulation. It also has a standard-definitionIPS screen and supports games up to theDreamcast era, with additional buttons to support this capability. It is sold in several different colors, some of them utilizing transparent plastic. The RG35XXSP was positively received by critics, who praised its design, powerful processor, high-quality screen and price point, but noted that its emulation abilities were hit-or-miss, with performance suffering without the use ofRetroArch, and the lack of ananalog stick rendered certain games unplayable.
The RG35XXSP is similar in size to the Game Boy Advance SP. While slightly wider and thicker, it is still able to fit tightly in an official SP carrying case. It also adds additional buttons - two extra action buttons, X and Y, two extra shoulder buttons, and a menu button for returning to the console's main menu. Rather than a power switch, it has a power button and reset key, as well as a rocker switch for controlling volume rather than a slider. On the top of the system, there is aUSB-C port for charging and aMini-HDMI port that serves as a television connector.[1]
The system's screen is 3.5 inches and has an aspect ratio of 4:3 at a resolution of 640x480. Its onboard emulator adds a border to the screen to simulate the aspect ratio ofGame Boy orGame Boy Advance games. Internally, it uses an Allwinner H700 chipset running a Linux-based OS, and has up to 8 hours of battery life.[1]
Wesley Copeland ofGamesRadar+ rated the console 4/5 stars, praising its screen as one of its best features and the main draw of the console. He called it a "monumental steal" and "a beaming neon middle finger to the bloated aftermarket prices" of the Game Boy Advance SP due to its US$64.99 price point.[2] Matt S. ofDigitally Downloaded said that the console's greatest feature was its battery, calling the system one of Anbernic's finest "by a long way", and added that he purchased one despite hisROG Ally rendering many emulator consoles obsolete.[3] Joel Loynds ofDexerto also rated the console 4/5 stars, calling it an "absolute joy to play games on".[4]
Damien McFerran ofTime Extension rated the RG35XXSP 9/10 stars, saying that its screen was greatly superior even to the improved AGS-101 model of the Game Boy Advance SP, which featured a fully backlit screen, in color, viewing angles and contrast. Also praising the console's overall design and battery life, he called it one of Anbernic's best products up to that point. However, he expressed concerns with the console's tactile button feedback, calling it "off-putting", as well as the lack of analog stick. He also called the console'ssleep mode "half-baked", saying its stock OS needed more time in the oven. Despite this, he recommended it as an alternative for people seeking to purchase a Game Boy Advance.[1]