I have only recently been getting into the retro handheld scene, but the idea of having a device in my pocket or in my backpack that can play thousands of retro games ranging from the Atari 2600 to PlayStation and beyond has always been an idea that a much younger Jeff could only dream of.
Luckily, we have companies like Anbernic making these dreams a possibility with products like the one I will be reviewing today: the RG35XXSP.
To state the obvious, the device is meant to evoke the look and feel of Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance SP. Heck, it’s even in the name of the device. Compared to Nintendo’s product, the RG35XXSP is longer, wider, and a little less “pocket friendly” than the GBA SP, however I would still classify the device as pocketable, just a little bulkier. Also, with that clamshell design, I have ALMOST no problems throwing this in a backpack or a bag, since I know the device itself will protect the screen, more on that later.
Speaking of the screen, the RG35XXSP boasts a 3.5 inch IPS screen running at a 640 X 480 resolution. No issues with viewing angles and the brightness settings make the screen clear no matter the lighting around you. It’s a good screen that Anbernic has used for all the devices in the RG35XX line, hence the inclusion of the “35”.
While the video quality is solid, the audio will leave something to be desired. As the device sports a single speaker located above the Start and Select buttons. This is a good spot for it since it won’t be muffled by your hands, but the quality is fine at best. It gets the job done, but I can’t help but wish the device had a dual speaker setup or, at least, something with more bass.
The buttons were a point of contention when the RG35XXSP launched back in the summer of 2024, as they were said to be too loud and clicky, making it nearly impossible to play the device in bed next to your sleeping significant other. Since then, Anbernic has modified the SP with a quieter d-pad and face buttons. The Start and Select buttons are still clickier than I would like, but I’ve tested this device next to my sleeping wife and she was none the wiser. Besides the sleeping significant other scenario, these less clicky buttons will be better for travel since you won’t feel like you’re bothering others with the sound of your buttons. There is a hotkey button nearest the screen which, along with a combination of other buttons, allows you to exit the game, open the Retroarch menu, change the screen brightness, and much more.
These buttons do lead me to my one small gripe when it comes to throwing this device in a backpack or bag. The R1, R2, L1 and L2 buttons are located on the back of the device and do protrude. This is fine and really, there is no other place for these buttons to go, but with it rattling around my backpack, I do slightly worry about those buttons getting some contact. It’s not a major issue by any means, and I could be worrying about nothing, just something worth noting.
Going around the outside of the RG35XXSP, you have 2 micro SD slots and a headphone jack on the bottom. I really like having the 2 SD setup since I can keep the first one in the device for the firmware, and second one for the games, which I can then transfer to other Anbernic products. I picked up my device with a 64gb card, flashed custom firmware on that, and now use a second 512gb card for all the games, which I do use in multiple devices.
The left side is where the volume buttons are, the right side has the Power and Reset buttons, and the back is where you will find a USB-C charge port and an HDMI out port, so you can hook this up to your TV and use it as a retro console. The RG35XXSP also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability so you can pair external controllers as well as get those sweet Retro Achievements.
You would be right to think about how good the hinge is on the device. Continued opening and closing will wear down any device, let alone a budget handheld. I will say, over my couple months of testing, I haven’t seen or felt any issues with it and don’t expect that to change any time soon. There is also a magnet and a built-in hall switch in the device that puts it in sleep mode when you close the clamshell, and wake up on opening, which is a great convenience. This also helps the battery life of the RG35XXSP as it touts an 8 hour battery life with its 3500mAH battery. In my testing, 8 hours is about right, though it will depend on what you are playing. Putting the device in sleep mode will only drain a few percentages of battery overnight.
Inside, you will find a H700 quad-core ARM Cortex A-53 CPU, a dual-core Mali-G31 MP2 GPU and 1GB LPDDR4 RAM. Again, this is the same across the RG35XX line and does produce a lot of bang for the buck.
Like the rest of the RG35XX line, you’ll be able to play everything up to and including PlayStation with no problems. I can attest that everything I tried on PlayStation ran just fine, keep in mind, with the lack of analog sticks, you will need to get your Ape Escape fix elsewhere, or, potentially Bluetooth a controller with analog sticks, which kind of takes the “handheld” perk out of the equation.
On that front, the RG35XXSP technically CAN handle some Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and even PSP, but I would not say this device makes those a great experience, both due to a lack of analog sticks and the fact that the aspect ratio on the PSP specifically, does not translate well to this screen.
As far as firmware goes, the stock operating system does just fine, but, honestly, I just flash the main card with Knulli, which is a fork of Batocera, and never look back. While that firmware deserves its own review, I will just say that if you are used to Emulation Station, you will pick this up no problem. Knulli runs great on this, gives me lots of customization options, both for the main theme and bezels for each of the emulated systems, and gives us some sweet bonuses like Portmaster, allowing you to download free PC ports as well as commercially available games such as Balatro and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, that only require transferring a few files from a purchased PC version of the game to run.
As far as form factor and comfort, I haven’t experienced too many issues with the RG35XXSP. I could see some cramping from longer play sessions, but I haven’t experienced too much discomfort since I really use this in quick bursts when travelling or just in the mood for the clamshell. There are custom made grips you can find on places like Etsy if you feel the need.
The RG35XXSP comes in many colors; Silver, Gray, and transparent versions in Black, Blue, Red, Green and White. You can find the device on the Anbernic site anywhere from around $50 – $80 depending on sales and if you want a pre-loaded SD card of games. You can also find it on Amazon if you would like a faster delivery, which is what I did. Though you will be paying a little extra for the quicker delivery. The package will come with a USB-C Cord and a screen protector.
I have been using the RG35XXSP a lot since I picked it up a couple months ago and I can wholeheartedly recommend you take a look at it if you are searching for a fun nostalgia machine. You get a lot for the price point, and if you are looking for a retro game fix that’s original PlayStation or older, if you are just getting into the retro handheld hobby, or if you have a soft spot for the Game Boy Advance SP, this would be a great way to experience the joy of retro games at your fingertips. While it may pose some limitations with the lack of analog sticks or a touchscreen (for those DS games), you will find a lot to enjoy, especially at this price point.
