Anbernic RG CubeXX Review: This Actually Makes Sense

How do you begin evaluating something that is essentially identical to all of the other products that a company has produced, albeit in a different format? I couldn't tell you. I'm babbling a little as I wait for writer's block to go away. Wait a minute, actually. Let me use the RG CubeXX to surpass Ban's Celeste scoring.

Oh no. I still need to figure out how to cut my time by twenty seconds. That's a waste. Positively, I would have defeated Team Retrogue if I had been on the podcast. I guess I'll have to keep practicing. Let me make this review more logical than Nick's digressions on controllers that only he should purchase.

Anbernic RG CubeXX: What I Like

Few people are aware of this, but the RGB30 was my second retro handheld after acquiring the RG353V. I had never used a gadget with a 1:1 display before, which was amazing and fascinating because I had no idea what I was entering into. Since then, a surprisingly wide variety of 1:1 handhelds have been released, and I've actually come to like this form format.

The RG Cube, which runs Android and is powered by the Unisoc T820, was Anbernic's first product. I can only assume that Anbernic chose to release a less expensive version of the Cube, the RG CubeXX, with some assistance from Russ at Retro Game Corps. It shares the same set of specifications as the other models in Anbernic's H700 portfolio and is powered by the same All winner H700 chip that we all know and love.

It was a relief to discover that the CubeXX was not affected by the light bleed problems that Anbernic encountered with the original RG Cube. We can't say that very frequently, but the screen on the less expensive mobile device actually appears better.

What else do you want me to say about performance? It is identical to all other Anbernic handhelds made available this year. The sole distinction is that the battery varies depending on the handheld device you ultimately purchase. You cannot remove your microSD card from the RG40XX V running muOS and throw it into the RG CubeXX, so that's not the only difference.

You probably won't have to wait long for the RG Cube XX to support your preferred custom firmware, though. Some solutions, like Knulli, are working on new releases that will support the 1:1 aspect ratio. Therefore, all that has to be done is wait for the right moment.

Returning to the reason I brought up the RGB30 before, it was because of this that I became acquainted with the PortMaster game universe. These are games that have been modified to run on portable Linux devices. Everything from Stardew Valley to modified versions of Zelda and Minecraft, and everything in between, is available. You cannot play PortMaster games on an Android handheld despite Android's flexibility and capability.

Even while I adore my ZPG A1 Unicorn and RG Cube, they aren't able to play as many games as I would like. Fortunately, there is the RG CubeXX to take over, and it has been a complete joy. The great ergonomics eliminate any possible complaints regarding how much my wrists suffer after playing games for less than 30 minutes.

Another thing that caught my attention was how much lighter the RG CubeXX is than its more costly siblings. I wanted to bring this to your attention in case it matters to you, even though it doesn't feel cheap.

Anbernic RG CubeXX: What I Don't

Anbernic seems to have lost the ability to enjoy the color options, which is my second major grievance with the CubeXX. This is terrible, given that the RG35XXSP just received a range of transparent hues. Instead, Anbernic chose to release the CubeXX in the traditional colors of black, white, and DMG/gray.

I would have liked something a little more spectacular, but there's nothing wrong with these colors. If you insist that it can't be done with a low-cost handheld, I'll point you to the picture of the CubeXX and my just-purchased R46S below.

It should come as no surprise that my biggest grievance is that I'm sick of H700 handhelds. Yes, they're excellent for creating custom software, but I'm confident Anbernic can obtain a somewhat more powerful device. Do these handhelds require more power? Each person will have a different response to that.

What's the point of selling a handheld that honors a retro system that it can't even comfortably emulate? The RG40XX H was supposed to be the " final H700," but the RG40XXV and RG CubeXX are still using the same chip. Based on alleged leaks of the RG ArcXX, I believe it's time for Anbernic to try something different.

I wanted to draw attention to one additional thing. You didn't do anything wrong if you load your ROMs and Pico-8 library after receiving your RG CubeXX and discover that you are unable to get Pico-8 games to function. It appears that in order to play those games with the stock OS, you must use.P8 files rather than. PNG files. Although we don't know why, Ban found this, so we're sharing it with you in case you encounter any similar problems.

Should You Buy the RG CubeXX?

Here's the thing, then. You should get the RG CubeXX for just two reasons. The first is if, like us, you enjoy collecting every vintage portable device you can find. (Really, I don't know how I did it, but I just surpassed 50 handhelds.)

If you like the RGB30 and RGB20SX but need something with better ergonomics, this portable is also a good choice. Anbernic expertly designed the grips, which are comfy to use and allow you to lose yourself in certain games.