Anbernic RG Cube: First Impressions

They have already returned with a new product, the RG Cube, while we barely had time to evaluate the Anbernic RG35XX SP. I was somewhat dubious about this release at first, but as it drew nearer, my excitement grew. Will I find it to be RG Crude, or will it meet my expectations?

With handhelds, we're in an extraordinary place. A few years ago, I never imagined that one of these low-cost handhelds could play PS2 and Gamecube games, yet here we are. I have other capable devices, so I don't require flawless performance. I now find the strange and unusual fascinating.

This stuff was rather strange. I could find it while shopping for my daughter in the toy section. They are finally beginning to stack their shoulder buttons, and the color choices are vivid and somewhat unusual by Anbernic norms. I had to give one a try.

These will only be my initial thoughts. Stay tuned for a comprehensive review that will soon be available on our YouTube channel and website. In the video above, you can also see Stubbs and his initial thoughts.

The Device

When I originally got the black model, I believed it was a McDonald's Happy Meal Toy version of Odin 2. Fortunately, it feels considerably better in the hand. I was surprised by how little the black shell smudged. Yes, I could make fingerprints on it by force, but it wasn't as simple as it was with the original Odin. Wiping off the fingerprints was simple.

The level of comfort this feels is surprising. My fingers organically wrap themselves around the excellent, textured back grips. Although I don't particularly like that the power and volume buttons are on the right side, they are inset into the shell to make it harder for someone to push them unintentionally.

A fast drop-down menu on the device's back allows you to switch on one of three settings for the fan. The fan doesn't obstruct anything, and the loudest setting isn't excessively loud—just a tad too loud. I didn't notice much of the heat when operating the higher systems.

Buttons

Pressing the rubber membrane buttons is pleasant. The floating D-Pad, which is reminiscent of the RG Arc, is another feature I like. The R1/L1 shoulder buttons are quieter than the RG28XX and have a pleasant little click. I really enjoy R2/L2. I like how they have a pleasant resistance to them. Additionally, both of these have a pleasing feel.

The sticks are in good condition. I never owned that device, but I've heard they're the ones from the RG556. They are serviceable but not as smooth as those of the Odin 2 or RP2S. While avoiding them, I avoided colliding with the side of the shell. Additionally, if RGB lighting is your thing, they have it all around them.

The Screen

Stubbs's device had some light bleed. I wanted to know whether mine would be the same. Fortunately for me, though, I don't have any on mine! Take that with a grain of salt, and hopefully, it's not a screen lottery, as Anbernic stated that they aim to resolve the issue going ahead before retail.

The screen is excellent. It is very bright, and the colors look fantastic on it. It was too light to play at night, so I even had to lower the preset brightness. All things considered, the screen is among this device's top characteristics.

Performance

The 1:1 screen made the RGB30 a very popular device, but I never acquired one since I heard about some of the problems that many people weren't pointing out. This immediately became a decisive selling factor for me because I had never owned or used a screen like that before. But was that overkill? It was more potent than merely playing games on the Game Boy and Pico 8. The specifications that Anbernic gave are listed below.

  • Display: 3.95-inch IPS touchscreen, 720 x 720 resolution
  • Processor: Unisoc T820
  • Graphics: Mali-G57
  • RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
  • Storage: 128GB UFS 2.2 w/ microSD card slot (up to 2TB)
  • I/O: 3.5mm Headphone Jack, USB-C w/ DisplayPort
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz, Bluetooth 5.0
  • Battery: 5,200mAh (rated for 7 hours), 5V/2A charging
  • Extras: Dual Speakers, RGB Joystick Lighting, Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers, Six-axis Gyroscope, Vibration
  • Software: Android 13
  • Colors: Beige White, Radiant Purple, Gray, Black
  • Dimensions: 153 x 86 x 18mm
  • Weight: 260g

The device downloads certain emulation programs for you to use during setup: Citra, Dolphin, Duck Station, Retroarch, and others. It runs an enhanced but still subpar version of Android called Anbernic. I was unable to download a frontend even after logging onto the Google Play Store. The built-in Anbernic front end, which is accessible through the Anbernic button, is merely passable.

The performance will be comparable to the RG556 because it uses the same processor. It has more power than the lately popular T618 chips. This indicates that it has a respectable amount of GameCube and PS2 compatibility. Naturally, the lower systems will also function.

Testing Games

When I tested this, I ran the lower-end systems without any problems. I was shocked by how much I enjoyed the Game Boy, and it looked amazing on this screen. This also applies to Pico-8. Those two experiences were fantastic.

It should come as no surprise that N64 performed like a dream. I was shocked by how smoothly GameCube operated. Time Splitters 2, Custom Robo, and X-men Legends were among the titles I was playing at 2x resolution. Games like Silent Hill 2, Gregory Horror Show, and Simpsons Hit and Run were equally popular on the PS2.

3DS/DS Machine?

According to Anbernic's marketing, playing DS and 3DS games was one of the device's main selling points. In fact, there are certain similarities between the Cube and a 2DS. Since I like to play on standard software, I dislike simulating things, but I wanted to change my mind.

The Nintendo DS performed admirably. I had no trouble playing any of the games I tried using Drastic, including Lego Lord of the Rings, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, and Contact. I'll still play these on the original hardware.

It took me a little while to get to know Citra because 3DS is a system I have never emulated before. I had a good experience with Popolocrois: A Story of Seasons! I didn't dislike it, and it looked decent. Some of these games could fool you into thinking this is a 2DS mini. Although there was considerable delay, Fantasy Life was still playable when I tried it. Unfortunately, I'm staying with my 3DS, but that's just me, and you might still enjoy this.

Final Thoughts

This is an odd gadget to suggest. In my opinion, Anbernic needs to have set the pricing a bit lower to be more competitive. At this price, you might want to consider the Retroid Pocket 4/Pro or the RG556. The RGB30 is significantly less expensive if you want that 1:1 screen.

Although purchasing this for the Game Boy and Pico-8 seems absurd, I will utilize it for those purposes. Because I appreciate how stupid it looks, I can easily see myself using this for the higher systems. Additionally, I appreciate how compact and cozy it is. And that D-Pad is fantastic. Based on my brief testing, the battery life is excellent. This can be a good purchase for you if you like unusual gadgets that are reasonably compact and strong.

I haven't had this in my hands for too long, so this is my initial impression. Be sure to check back soon for our final evaluation. A written evaluation and some square screen comparisons are on the horizon. Additionally, a video review will soon be posted on the YouTube channel.