Anbernic RG Cube Setup Guide

Recommended Accessories

  • MicroSD Card: 512 GB or 1TB (you want the most you can buy because the Anbernic RG Cube can play some Switch games).
  • MicroSD Card Reader: UGREEN SD Card Reader
  • HDMI Out: UGREEN USB C to HDMI Cable (Note that docks are not advised for the Cube because charging and video out cannot be done simultaneously.)
  • Charger: UGREEN 65W Charger

Initial Setup Guide

  • Prepare SD Card (Android): Your SD card can be prepared in advance. Follow the instructions on this page to receive everything you need before receiving your gadget.

Recommended Settings

  • Play Store (Android): Log in to the Play Store and do any app updates.
  • FOTA Update: Update your smartphone to the most recent Anbernic version by using this app.
  • Ambient Light: A quick panel option labeled Ambient Light should appear when you swipe down from the top and then over. That controls the LED lights. You may change the lighting by pressing and holding the toggle.

Recommended Emulators – Android side

You should use Obtainium to keep some of these emulators, like Vita3K and RetroArch, current. My guide to Obtainium is here.

RetroArch – PS1 & Under – Nightly (RetroArch_aarch64.apk)

You should use the Nightly build, not the one from the Google Play Store, for RetroArch. RetroArch will be your go-to emulator for anything under and including the Sony PlayStation 1.

For my RetroArch setup guide, which includes suggested cores and other information, click here.

M64Plus FZ Pro – Nintendo 64

Regretfully, many games on RetroArch for the Nintendo 64 are broken on Android. Unfortunately, there is no other way to activate Retro Achievements. Some titles, like Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time, function flawlessly, but the majority will have several texture problems and more (Mario Golf, Pokemon Snap, etc.).

The premium version of M64Plus FZ Pro is preferable to the free one, and you should use it from the Google Play Store.

Click here for my M64Plus FZ setup guide.

PPSSPP – Sony PlayStation Portable

The Google Play Store's PPSSPP is the greatest Android emulator for simulating the Sony PlayStation Portable. If you wish to help the developer, you must purchase the version; otherwise, it makes no difference.

Click here for my PPSSPP setup guide.

Dolphin – Nintendo GameCube & Wii – Beta

Dolphin and the Google Play Store's beta version are the best Android emulators for the Nintendo GameCube and Wii. If you enable or enroll in the beta version on the Play Store page, you will receive the most recent version of the emulator, which corresponds to the development version on their website.

Click here for my Dolphin setup guide.

NetherSX2 – Sony PlayStation 2 – Current

The most up-to-date and optimal version for emulating the Sony PlayStation 2 is NetherSX2-Current.

Click here for my NetherSX2 setup guide.

Lime3DS – Nintendo 3DS

Lime3DS is currently the finest emulator for the Nintendo 3DS.

Click here for my Lime3DS setup guide.

Pico-8

Currently, Winlator is the best option to set up Pico-8 on Android.

Click here for my Pico-8 on Android setup guide.

Recommended Frontends – Android

  • Daijisho
  • EmulationStation

Anbernic RG Cube Tweaks

Emulator Settings

  • Dolphin: For significantly improved performance, set the backend to Vulkan.
  • Dolphin: Swipe down from the top, press and hold the Ns mode toggle, then select "Both" for the control scheme you're using to enable analog triggers in games like Super Mario Sunshine. Next, set L, R, L Analog, and R Analog to the trigger buttons in Dolphin when mapping controllers.
  • AetherSX2/NetherSX2: For significantly improved performance, set the backend to Vulkan.

Remap R button

Hallstudios on Reddit deserves special recognition for this!

  • The R button on the bottom left opens Anbernic's RGLauncher frontend by default, which nobody wants if they're using a different frontend.
  • Root Uninstaller can be downloaded and installed here: https://root-uninstaller.en.malavida.com/android/. The download link is large green; watch out for advertisements.
  • Launch the app on your device, select Search in the upper right corner, and type RGLauncher into the search bar. After tapping it, choose Disable.
  • Install Buttons Remapper by going to the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.irishin.buttonsremapper.
  • Launch the application, complete the setup, and confirm that it is enabled as an accessibility app. After that, select the plus icon in the lower right corner, set the key to F10, select the action you want the button to perform (I set it to open my frontend ES-DE), and click OK.
  • Next, go to Settings on Android, Apps, View all applications, Battery, Buttons Remapper, and Unrestricted.
  • You're done!