Anbernic RG34XX First Impressions: The GBA I Never Had

When the Anbernic RG34XX was announced, I didn't get as excited as my peers because I had never owned a Game Boy Advance. Rather, it was more of a "That's neat," followed by an "Oh, Anbernic actually went 12/12 this year."

I've just had a few hours to experiment with the RG34XX after an unexpected box delivery, but I've already made several deductions. Nevertheless, Jalanimal also received his RG34XX today and will be writing up the complete review, so be sure to keep an eye on the website.

Anbernic RG34XX Specs

Since the RG34XX primarily consists of the same internal components as Anbernic's other RG-XX handhelds, there isn't much to say about it.

  • Display: 3.4-inch IPS
  • Resolution: 720 x 480 (3x GBA pixel-to-pixel)
  • Processor: Allwinner H700
  • GPU: Dual-Core Mali G31 MP2
  • RAM: 1GB LPDDR4
  • Storage: Dual microSD Card Slots (Up to 512GB)
  • Battery: 3,500mAh (Up to 7 hours)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 4.2
  • Extras: Vibration Motor, mini HDMI,
  • Dimensions: 144.6 x 81.8 x 24.8mm
  • Weight: 188 grams

What I Like

I've used Game Boy Advances before, but I've never owned one. The RG34XX is the closest thing to a replica of the 2001 handheld. Zu mentioned something about the RG34XX being the same, so I decided to check for myself because it's so near. Here, Anbernic came very, very close:

  • Game Boy Advance: 144 x 82 x 24.5mm
  • Anbernic RG34XX: 144.6 x 81.8 x 24.8mm

If I had to guess, I would say that Anbernic utilized an old GBA as the mold, and the variations are due to production inconsistencies. Although I don't currently have any original GBA accessories, I wouldn't be shocked if those vintage cases fit the RG34XX.

The RG34XX features four buttons on the front, compared to the GBA's two, which is the most significant design difference. However, the top two buttons are color-matched to the shell in an attempt to make it as close to the original as feasible. The "X" and "Y" printed on the underside of the buttons will also be visible if you choose one of the transparent colors; this is not the case with the Indigo or Black hues.

I won't go into great detail on performance because everyone is aware of the H700's capabilities. With this chipset maxing out around PS1 and PSP games, it's just a matter of repeating the same tirade.

For better or worse, Anbernic's stock OS experience comes out of the box. After spending too much time playing Minish Cap, I decided to check if muOS would function properly right out of the box. Regretfully, that was a no-go for me, and it's probably because the 3.4-inch screen is smaller than the 3.5-inch screen on other RG-XX handhelds.

Updates to muOS and other custom firmware alternatives will soon support the RG34XX. For the time being, the OS functions flawlessly, and at least I don't have to wait to start playing PortMaster games.

I was taken aback when I left after fiddling for about an hour. I didn't anticipate playing Minish Cap for that long, to start with. However, it's more comfy than I expected, so that's a testament to the design—that, plus a screen that looks amazing.

What I Don't

Here, I'll just be honest. The location of the L2 and R2 buttons on the rear bothers me. I can see Anbernic's wish to incorporate them, and well done for figuring out how to do it. However, when I attempted to utilize them, it was simply inconvenient and unpleasant. We'll see, but I might change my mind about that.

The Menu button is another issue that I have discovered thus far. Accessing the different hotkeys requires some finger acrobatics because it is located on the top and left of R1.

Sure, I could remap the relevant cores' hotkeys in RetroArch, but I would have preferred it if Select had been linked to the Menu key. Especially considering doing something different was my initial impulse.

Finally, I wish you luck if you're attempting to insert and remove the microSD card frequently. To get the cards to click into position, I had to use the edge of a regular-sized SD card. I tried to remove both of them, but my fingers were too fat to do so, so I used the edge of a knife. It's a skill issue. Still, though.

Final Thoughts

If our site numbers are any indication, the Anbernic RG34XX will sell like crazy. It's undoubtedly one way to close out the year on a high note, striking many people's nostalgia much as the RG35XX SP did. Additionally, I wouldn't be shocked if there was a "re-release" with additional color choices the following month.

The RG34XX has a steep hill to climb, especially since I'm already having trouble choosing between the RG406H and RG CubeXX when I have some free time. With so many fantastic handhelds already on the market, I'm not sure if I'll use the RG34XX as a photo prop or in my everyday carry.