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First retro handheld to grab my attention in a while. The flexibility of this thing to handle streaming, wearable displays, and retro gaming through Wii and PS2 means I expect to get a huge amount of use out of it.
After years of collecting handhelds, I can say at least for me the ones I play the most are the ones that are most comfortable to hold. This device looks like it is comfy, controls are good enough, power is good enough, battery life is great AND it is a device that can actually play those pesky DS games which cover both screens. I hope they do indeed fix the light bleed but it isn't a deal breaker for me. Although, I came from a time when people played Gameboy directly under a lamp with a 2 inch green monochrome screen and horrible ghosting. I ordered this using a sale Anbernic is running on Ebay and got it for 137! At that price, it was an easy pick up.
@@MsModestyBlaise ohhh i see, so it's a chance they have fixed the issue. I feel like even if i ordered right now i'd be taking a risk on that being the case without someone making a video on one that isn't a preproduction model though.
I jumped right on this one. This set up is a lot better than what one would first think. I find myself using the joystick a lot, and prefer it to the top, especially for racing games and Android games. The aspect ratio with the bars up top and bottem are far less distracting and most systems up to Wii and PS2 look great at a higher resolution with no stretching. Touch games and DS games have more room here as well. Comfort is a major player for newer systems because of longer play times, I think its a win. There is always the RGB30 if you just want that type of screen for older retro games with the Dpad up top.
Aww man, this handheld is a dream come true for me. I'm pretty comfortable with modding and tinkering and whatnot, so if my unit ships with any issues I'll just work my way around them. Honestly really excited to be able to put most of my retro library onto one solid device that just works and feels nice to use. Also, being able to have it work with HDMI out basically makes it a "Switch" for anything and everything you put on it. Really well done Ambernic! :)
I tried an RGB30 and I liked the novelty of the screen but hated the build quality and general jankiness of it. This looks to mostly have fixed that and looks very comfy. I’m resisting getting one. Maybe will pull the trigger when they go on sale maybe Black Friday?
Thanks for showing SSX Tricky at the 22 minute mark … that is the SOLE reason I wanted the Cube over the CubeXX. It’ll be more more to set up but totally worth it to get that on a handheld! And then the benefit of streaming with my Steam PC for my new Atari Recharged and reimagined games is a bonus. My driving force for the 1:1 square screen is the MAME horizontal and vertical get the same real estate, the old school consoles are 4:3 like Atari 2600 through Genesis and GameCube are also very good as well. I’d have never thought of square but I am glad Anbernic did. Might even get into Pico 8 now too.
The controls make sense. Its for versatility so is the 1:1 display because it can pretty much fit all the aspect ratios from NES to PSP. You decide what you will play on it and how and it gives you many options. Im getting it for GB all the way up to Wii.
UGH IM SO TORN BETWEEN THIS AND THE RP4PRO I know the rp4pro is faster but this just looks so more pocketable and comfortable. Don’t know what I want, I figured since I’m getting the rg35xx sp I should just get the rp4 pro, but damn this looks good
I have been wanting something over powered to replace my pocket 2s. This is perfect for that. This is a tad chonkier but I think it will serve its purpose. Ive got some light gamecube games running ok on the 2s. This will definitely play all cube i need. And everytbing under that. I put some raspi heat sinks in my 2s and drilled grills over each sink. That eliminated any heat throttling. But android just uses too much of its 4gb if ram and the 610 is just too weak.
They have sent me a retail unit now, and it does in fact not have light bleed. If someone gets one with light bleed they should reach out to Anbernic, I'm sure they'd make it right.
Bill, how is the Sega D-pad for 8 and 16 bit gaming? Precision affected at all? I fear games like Tetris and Dr Mario will be difficult to play with a easy-roll D-pad. 🍻
Have you tested video out yet? The only person I've seen test it couldn't get it to work, either no video or a useless 1:1 screen mirroring instead of working with the tv aspect like it should. Hopefully this is something they were doing wrong as its a clearly advertised feature!
@@NerdNest Thanks for the answer, that's very disappointing! Hopefully they fix it in an update ASAP or if it's something that can be fixed with third party options, because they showed it full screen on their advertisement..
One day these console manufacturers will learn to add additional function buttons, in convenient places too. Seriously dislike doing inconvenient button combinations for menus, etc. Add a few programmable buttons on the top, you could reprogram them to any bind on the console. Just saying they would rock, but who am I to complain? I have only used the Retroid and studied many other devices but just think it would be beneficial.
Could've done without some wild accusation. It's a niche device. Should be obvious from, I don't know, having EYES?! Given your avatar only has one, that may be the problem 😂
Just don’t buy it. The amazing thing about Anbernic is that they somehow don’t have to pay much for their injection molds and their PCBs so they can pump out a new device each week. We live in the golden ages for handhelds, they never were more plenty or powerful. It’s amazing how you can get a handheld in every flavor imaginable!
This feels kind of like it wants to be a steam deck, which is an interesting approach but personally I think the SP is a better approach to handheld emulators. The price of this one gets a bit too close to a steam deck imo too
I don't see whats so great about daijisho, it's the only one I see used in practice during videos. I've never been able to get the achievements widget to work, its pretty buggy overall. Beacon launcher doesn't get your hopes up, it's pretty minimal therefore it's very good
@NerdNest I remember in a previous video, you're not big on achievements. I get it, it was kind of bummer for me. I'd prefer it not even have that option
Can't keep up with the releases anymore. There are way too much retro handhelds, at least, that's my opinion. Since I bought a Analogue Pocket, Mimi Miyoo and Steam Deck Oled (after owning a bunch of Anbernic, PowKiddy and other retro handhelds) I realised most other retro handhelds add nothing.
Options. No other handheld atm offers a 1:1 ratio with touchscreen at this performance. Makes it perfect for 3DS games and saving on the alternative of buying a 3DS and hacking it for twice the pain and price
As much as this looks quite cool, any decent phone that came out in the last 2-3 years can emulate up to ps2/gamecube just fine. You just need a good usb-c controller to hook up to your phone for like 60-90 extra bucks and youre all set (much cheaper than $170)
Any decent phone that came out in the last 2-3 years also likely only has a couple hundred gigs of non-expandable storage, is expensive for one that can handle those systems, has a weird aspect ratio and takes away from your phone doing the one thing it's designed to do; be a phone.
@@user-to1su2iy4d A couple hands gigs is more than enough for emulation. And you can get a good refurbished phone for a 2-300 bucks easily like an s21 or so. And you can add those attachable controllers and you got yourself a great emulation machine. Your comment is absolute BS and everything you said is trivial.
@@heyjeySigma Yeah nice try but not true at all. 3DS games alone can be several gigs a piece, not including GC and PS2/PSP games. No matter how you feel about it, you're going to be extremely limited compared to having expandable storage. 2-300 bucks is a lot more expensive than 150, that's just a straight up fact. Not even including a telescopic controller and most telescopic controllers for phones are either dogshit or 70-100 dollars for something hardly even worth it. I have a backbone for mine and have used it a handful of times because they just feel like ass. Your feelings are so hurt for no reason poor little fella, lmao
You can purchase it with a microSD card that includes ROMs, but some of the ROMs Anbernic includes have issues or are named after a certain time game, but are not the actual game you think. I'd recommend to buy their own console without the ROMs and get your own good quality microSD with your own ROMs.
I just don’t get this one. It’s a screen made for game boy and GBC games and they put a super powerful chip in it and charged like $175. It should have had a 3566 in it and been like 80 bucks. Who wants to play GameCube on a square screen?
Personally, I think the price is pretty reasonable for an android device with a full set of quality modern controls and the power to play through Gamecube, Wii, and PS2. The light bleed issue is a shame though. Takiudon showed that the issue is caused by pressure from the antenna pins, so hopefully he or someone else will come up with a clever case mod to fix that soon. I expect anyone that thinks $170 (including shipping from China to the US) is high will find a more tempting price drop before long.
@@flightless Anbernic will silently revise the case. Fixing light bleed this brutal is not something you should have to do at this price point. Also, I don't recall any of my Retroid units in my collection having light bleed issues but I do recall my RP4 Plus having a colour temperature issue that was quickly patched. At $139 it's a buy, at $170 for such a niche use case device - it's a hard sell. If they fix the light bleed and drop the price, I'm on board as would a lot of other collectors in this scene.
@@STR82DVD yeah I can see it being a hard sell, particularly if you already have other devices that cover the same bases. I have a Steam Deck and an RG35XX+, so personally I see a lot of use cases where the RGCube would be the device I reach for.
gonna be honest, anything but vertical symmetry for my sticks is unacceptable, I don't give a shit if they're above or below d-pad, but they better be on the same level or it's a deal breaker.
Came here to say the killswitch texture makes me feel nails on a chalkboard. the Jsaux clone the modcase texture is way better. Still, no disrespect, but please stop giving people ideas. lol
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I would probably choose the 556 that OLED panel is not coming back. Until they get another shipment of old iPhone screens.
Maybe it'll fit in my pocket, but will it fit in my heart?
Only you can choose to open your heart to it
Yes, just eat lots of McDonalds and your heart will be large enough in no time!
God I love this thing. Ive legitimately never been so excited for a handheld release since the switch. Can't wait for mine to arrive
First retro handheld to grab my attention in a while. The flexibility of this thing to handle streaming, wearable displays, and retro gaming through Wii and PS2 means I expect to get a huge amount of use out of it.
Same gonna be my portable PS2
After years of collecting handhelds, I can say at least for me the ones I play the most are the ones that are most comfortable to hold. This device looks like it is comfy, controls are good enough, power is good enough, battery life is great AND it is a device that can actually play those pesky DS games which cover both screens. I hope they do indeed fix the light bleed but it isn't a deal breaker for me. Although, I came from a time when people played Gameboy directly under a lamp with a 2 inch green monochrome screen and horrible ghosting. I ordered this using a sale Anbernic is running on Ebay and got it for 137! At that price, it was an easy pick up.
Anbernic are aware of the light bleed and by all accounts will be fixed on release.
@@MsModestyBlaise what do you mean by release? isn't it already out
@@Diggsiii it only recently went up for order. The reviews that have gone up are preproduction models.
@@MsModestyBlaise ohhh i see, so it's a chance they have fixed the issue. I feel like even if i ordered right now i'd be taking a risk on that being the case without someone making a video on one that isn't a preproduction model though.
@@Diggsiii Anbernic have confirmed the issue. It would be sensible to wait a few weeks for it to be resolved. That’s what I’m going to do.
I jumped right on this one. This set up is a lot better than what one would first think. I find myself using the joystick a lot, and prefer it to the top, especially for racing games and Android games. The aspect ratio with the bars up top and bottem are far less distracting and most systems up to Wii and PS2 look great at a higher resolution with no stretching. Touch games and DS games have more room here as well. Comfort is a major player for newer systems because of longer play times, I think its a win. There is always the RGB30 if you just want that type of screen for older retro games with the Dpad up top.
Damn it looks so nice. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if it was 4:3 so that saturn/dreamcast/gamecube games filled the screen
They have the 405m for that. 4in screen at 4:3 and it’s about the same price.
@@turnbasedtoddy7664 underwhelming specs...
@@WreckerALeX I don’t see how it’s underwhelming. When it came out there were only two systems that were that powerful, it and the Retroid pocket 3+
@@turnbasedtoddy7664 when the dreamcast came out it had the best specs, doesnt mean its good now.
@@DemonicGorilla yeah the difference is the dreamcast came out a decade and a half ago the 405m just came out last year
Aww man, this handheld is a dream come true for me. I'm pretty comfortable with modding and tinkering and whatnot, so if my unit ships with any issues I'll just work my way around them. Honestly really excited to be able to put most of my retro library onto one solid device that just works and feels nice to use. Also, being able to have it work with HDMI out basically makes it a "Switch" for anything and everything you put on it. Really well done Ambernic! :)
I would recommend checking out Taki Udon's review. Especially around hdmi out
I tried an RGB30 and I liked the novelty of the screen but hated the build quality and general jankiness of it. This looks to mostly have fixed that and looks very comfy. I’m resisting getting one. Maybe will pull the trigger when they go on sale maybe Black Friday?
Thanks for showing SSX Tricky at the 22 minute mark … that is the SOLE reason I wanted the Cube over the CubeXX. It’ll be more more to set up but totally worth it to get that on a handheld! And then the benefit of streaming with my Steam PC for my new Atari Recharged and reimagined games is a bonus. My driving force for the 1:1 square screen is the MAME horizontal and vertical get the same real estate, the old school consoles are 4:3 like Atari 2600 through Genesis and GameCube are also very good as well. I’d have never thought of square but I am glad Anbernic did. Might even get into Pico 8 now too.
Just got mine a couple days ago and I could agree more, loving it
The controls make sense. Its for versatility so is the 1:1 display because it can pretty much fit all the aspect ratios from NES to PSP. You decide what you will play on it and how and it gives you many options. Im getting it for GB all the way up to Wii.
Really digging all the funky music on today’s video! 🎸🎶🎧
I want this to play vertical shmup games
We need a Hawaiian Nerd Nest Collection Bill.
9:20 Very true .. the feel and move pull off capabilities will eventually grow but I can deff see how a non trained hand might get turned off ..
Do i get the cube or the rp4pro? I cant decide.
Since this is android what do we think the possibilities are of running ps remote play?
I’m anticipating this to be my favourite retro gaming device when it arrives.
UGH IM SO TORN BETWEEN THIS AND THE RP4PRO I know the rp4pro is faster but this just looks so more pocketable and comfortable. Don’t know what I want, I figured since I’m getting the rg35xx sp I should just get the rp4 pro, but damn this looks good
Ordered the black, hope they ship out soon.
I have a steamdeck but i considered that it's way too big...this one looks like the perfect size for me
I have been wanting something over powered to replace my pocket 2s. This is perfect for that. This is a tad chonkier but I think it will serve its purpose. Ive got some light gamecube games running ok on the 2s. This will definitely play all cube i need. And everytbing under that. I put some raspi heat sinks in my 2s and drilled grills over each sink. That eliminated any heat throttling. But android just uses too much of its 4gb if ram and the 610 is just too weak.
You convince me to buy this, but I think I will wait until it gets a little bit cheaper.
Does this have a motion sensor for 3DS? The touch screen function really excites me here
How is the game cube performance on star wars rogue leader?
My favorite game cube game...
The game studder on my galaxy s9 + tablet...and this tablet has a powerful chip set
LMAO @ 3:30 hah subscribed sir!
They should fix that light bleed because its to pricey to begin with, my RGb30 has light bleeds to but atleast its only 90 bucks
They have sent me a retail unit now, and it does in fact not have light bleed. If someone gets one with light bleed they should reach out to Anbernic, I'm sure they'd make it right.
Bill, how is the Sega D-pad for 8 and 16 bit gaming? Precision affected at all? I fear games like Tetris and Dr Mario will be difficult to play with a easy-roll D-pad. 🍻
Whats the song in the back? Please let me know, what a diament.
Nice color matching lol.
?
I think they mean your shirt kinda matches the cube
@@hexwavemusicyeah white and red shirt white and red rg cube 😏
Have you tested video out yet? The only person I've seen test it couldn't get it to work, either no video or a useless 1:1 screen mirroring instead of working with the tv aspect like it should. Hopefully this is something they were doing wrong as its a clearly advertised feature!
It is 1:1 mirroring.
@@NerdNest Thanks for the answer, that's very disappointing! Hopefully they fix it in an update ASAP or if it's something that can be fixed with third party options, because they showed it full screen on their advertisement..
How would you compare to the RG552 system? Is it more powerful or less powerful?
One day these console manufacturers will learn to add additional function buttons, in convenient places too. Seriously dislike doing inconvenient button combinations for menus, etc. Add a few programmable buttons on the top, you could reprogram them to any bind on the console. Just saying they would rock, but who am I to complain? I have only used the Retroid and studied many other devices but just think it would be beneficial.
Does it have the roms installed? I’ve seen other videos where some say no card was installed.
Mine came without a card full of ROMS, which is the way it should be. These companies shouldn't be sending out ROMS
@@NerdNest thanks for info. I have roms in abundance but wanted to be sure before I purchase. Thanks. I currently have the rg35xxh
Great review! I wonder if it would be able to play Monkey Ball from the NGC!
Damn, if I had known this was in the pipeline, I would have skipped the RGB30 :P
So black bars in both 16:9 and 4:3, does nothing right but "One of the BEST Retro Handhelds Yet!". Can't wait for the RG Snake Oil.
Could've done without some wild accusation. It's a niche device. Should be obvious from, I don't know, having EYES?! Given your avatar only has one, that may be the problem 😂
@@SmilingIslandRetreat-pn4dd241 hahaha the relevant pfp burn you did made me chuckle 😂
Just don’t buy it.
The amazing thing about Anbernic is that they somehow don’t have to pay much for their injection molds and their PCBs so they can pump out a new device each week.
We live in the golden ages for handhelds, they never were more plenty or powerful.
It’s amazing how you can get a handheld in every flavor imaginable!
Really like this device, how difficult was it to add your own games?
Easy enough if you follow the guides from RetroGameCorps
So, what is the point to get this over a RG556? 🤔
I'm not sure about the screen
This feels kind of like it wants to be a steam deck, which is an interesting approach but personally I think the SP is a better approach to handheld emulators.
The price of this one gets a bit too close to a steam deck imo too
Im pretty excited for this one!
What game is at 20:56?
Power stone 2 on the Dreamcast
I don't see whats so great about daijisho, it's the only one I see used in practice during videos. I've never been able to get the achievements widget to work, its pretty buggy overall. Beacon launcher doesn't get your hopes up, it's pretty minimal therefore it's very good
Once I figured out its quirks I really like it.
@NerdNest I remember in a previous video, you're not big on achievements. I get it, it was kind of bummer for me. I'd prefer it not even have that option
Aloha Bill, great video and also I love the music. What’s the music?🧡
It’s from epidemic sound. I don’t remember which songs it was.
@@NerdNest thank you Bill. I just love it and most of all you’re videos awesome 👍🏼🤍
Did you test video output with usb-C?
Yes. It worked fine.
Was it 1:1? Taki said the output was funky and mostly locked to the 1:1 video on output
@@NerdNest Was it 16:9 aspect ratio? I want to use this with AR glasses but it seems it might be locked to 1:1 aspect ratio.
It does not automatically change to widescreen
The frequency of light bleed issues with the hardware have me saying no.
Too many anbernics. Looks cool , but already have too many and the price is high for it not to be an impulse buy.
Can't keep up with the releases anymore. There are way too much retro handhelds, at least, that's my opinion.
Since I bought a Analogue Pocket, Mimi Miyoo and Steam Deck Oled (after owning a bunch of Anbernic, PowKiddy and other retro handhelds) I realised most other retro handhelds add nothing.
Options. No other handheld atm offers a 1:1 ratio with touchscreen at this performance. Makes it perfect for 3DS games and saving on the alternative of buying a 3DS and hacking it for twice the pain and price
What about X-Box original ? ...
I want one SO BAD
This. . . This may be the one I upgraded from the vita
The mistake is thinking that anbernic actually thinks about the use case for each device
Light bleed is really bad on this. Makes me rethink of I want to buy it or not
Confirmed to be an issue with preproduction models. Will be fixed on release, apparently.
As much as this looks quite cool, any decent phone that came out in the last 2-3 years can emulate up to ps2/gamecube just fine.
You just need a good usb-c controller to hook up to your phone for like 60-90 extra bucks and youre all set (much cheaper than $170)
We're aware but that's not what we want.
Any decent phone that came out in the last 2-3 years also likely only has a couple hundred gigs of non-expandable storage, is expensive for one that can handle those systems, has a weird aspect ratio and takes away from your phone doing the one thing it's designed to do; be a phone.
@@user-to1su2iy4d A couple hands gigs is more than enough for emulation.
And you can get a good refurbished phone for a 2-300 bucks easily like an s21 or so.
And you can add those attachable controllers and you got yourself a great emulation machine. Your comment is absolute BS and everything you said is trivial.
@@heyjeySigma Yeah nice try but not true at all. 3DS games alone can be several gigs a piece, not including GC and PS2/PSP games. No matter how you feel about it, you're going to be extremely limited compared to having expandable storage. 2-300 bucks is a lot more expensive than 150, that's just a straight up fact. Not even including a telescopic controller and most telescopic controllers for phones are either dogshit or 70-100 dollars for something hardly even worth it. I have a backbone for mine and have used it a handful of times because they just feel like ass. Your feelings are so hurt for no reason poor little fella, lmao
Hi Bill
The first thing I thought was that the RG Cube is perfect for placing a second much larger screen connected above.
Does it play Nintendo games right out of the box?
You have to add your own ROMS
You can purchase it with a microSD card that includes ROMs, but some of the ROMs Anbernic includes have issues or are named after a certain time game, but are not the actual game you think. I'd recommend to buy their own console without the ROMs and get your own good quality microSD with your own ROMs.
we already have that display and also a dpad centered handled at half the price for old retro games
I just don’t get this one. It’s a screen made for game boy and GBC games and they put a super powerful chip in it and charged like $175. It should have had a 3566 in it and been like 80 bucks. Who wants to play GameCube on a square screen?
Brutal light bleed with a screen that is interesting but also limits the system plus being way over priced. Just MY opinion.
Personally, I think the price is pretty reasonable for an android device with a full set of quality modern controls and the power to play through Gamecube, Wii, and PS2. The light bleed issue is a shame though. Takiudon showed that the issue is caused by pressure from the antenna pins, so hopefully he or someone else will come up with a clever case mod to fix that soon.
I expect anyone that thinks $170 (including shipping from China to the US) is high will find a more tempting price drop before long.
@@flightless Anbernic will silently revise the case. Fixing light bleed this brutal is not something you should have to do at this price point. Also, I don't recall any of my Retroid units in my collection having light bleed issues but I do recall my RP4 Plus having a colour temperature issue that was quickly patched.
At $139 it's a buy, at $170 for such a niche use case device - it's a hard sell. If they fix the light bleed and drop the price, I'm on board as would a lot of other collectors in this scene.
This is pre release unit. I’ll update if it’s fixed with retail units.
@@STR82DVD yeah I can see it being a hard sell, particularly if you already have other devices that cover the same bases. I have a Steam Deck and an RG35XX+, so personally I see a lot of use cases where the RGCube would be the device I reach for.
Them black boarders :(
First, love your stuff :)
you got 666k following
gonna be honest, anything but vertical symmetry for my sticks is unacceptable, I don't give a shit if they're above or below d-pad, but they better be on the same level or it's a deal breaker.
Came here to say the killswitch texture makes me feel nails on a chalkboard. the Jsaux clone the modcase texture is way better. Still, no disrespect, but please stop giving people ideas. lol
Also, its a weird thing to describe for me. I also have Trypophobia and it gives me the same vibe. Feels like Im holding a console made of sandpaper.
First