Retro Gaming: The Anbernic RG351p Review
*Is this budget handheld the ultimate device for your nostalgia fix?*
The Quest for the Perfect Handheld
Retro gaming has come a long way since the early PC emulators. I was curious about how well a portable handheld could handle emulation and am impressed with the Anbernic RG351p. Based on online reviews, the RG351p is probably the best handheld for those serious about portable retro gaming and who want to own just one device.
I have to agree with those reviews and was able to start gaming within 10 seconds of owning the device. This by itself is impressive. The RG351p is by no means perfect, but there are no perfect portable handhelds. Its competitors using the same chipset may have features and capabilities that outclass the RG351p, but they also come with their own drawbacks.
The target audience for the RG351p is casual gamers who plan to spend 15 to 30 minutes in a gaming session. It can run for longer multi-hour sessions, but really this is for casual gamers. When shopping around for a portable device, I evaluated the following options:
- →Retroid Pocket 2 — popular entry-level emulation handheld
- →RGB 10 — noted for its larger display
- →RG351p — the primary subject of this review
- →RG351m — the premium metal-housed variant
- →RG351mp — the high-resolution, premium model
Based on my research, the RG351p wins. I measured this in seven categories: Emulation Speed, User Interface (UI), Screen Quality, Battery Life, Ergonomics, Build Quality, and Features.
### 1. Emulation Speed While all of the devices use the same chipset and have similar processing and RAM specs, the RG series tends to run faster on startup. You can be gaming within 10 seconds of powering on the RG351p, whereas it takes closer to a minute to start up a Retroid Pocket 2.
### 2. User Interface (UI) If you’re new to retro gaming, portable handhelds, and have limited technical knowledge, the RG series wins again. Out of the box, it’s ready to go. The others require configuration and tinkering to make the games run perfectly.
### 3. Screen Quality The RG351p uses a 3.5-inch screen with 480 x 240 resolution. While lower than the 640 x 480 of competitors, it is perfectly suited for PS1, GBA, SNES, and older titles. The RGB10 takes the technical win with its 5.5-inch display.
### 4. Battery Life This device will run as advertised for 5 to 6 hours on a full charge. The lower resolution screen actually improves battery life by about 30 to 45 minutes of extra game time compared to its peers.
### 5. Ergonomics & Build The RG series tends to have better overall build quality. I can attest that the RG351p is quite well built. Regarding ergonomics, my hands start to hurt after a heavy gaming session, but I believe this is an inherent size issue with this form factor.
### 6. Features This is where the RG351p loses out. It lacks built-in WiFi, which all other systems have by default. Furthermore, it lacks the HDMI video-out capabilities found on some older-generation handhelds.
| Model | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Retroid Pocket 2 | 4.5 |
| RGB 10 | 5.5 |
| RG351p | 5.0 |
| RG351m | 5.5 |
| RG351mp | 5.5 |
The Verdict
Although the RG351p has a lower score of 5.0 relative to its RG cousins, the price difference is too significant to ignore. The RG351p can be found for $40 to $80 cheaper than the higher-end models. You are not getting 50 to 100% better performance for that extra cost, making the RG351p the winner when factoring in value.
- →6 Month Update — I barely use the handheld now. The novelty wore off, and I found myself choosing movies over gaming during a 9-hour flight.
- →1 Year Update — The RG351p makes retro gaming convenient. I picked it up again after months of inactivity, and it works perfectly for short, 15-to-30-minute gaming stints.
- →18 Month Update — I am still using this device to satisfy my retro gaming needs. I may consider the newer RG353P, but only if I decide I truly need a larger screen.
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