I get that there are a ton of them, but this form factor is really appealing to some people. I plan on getting one as my first retro handheld, and aside from the RG Cubexx, it's really the only one that has caught my eye. I just want a little guy to play my favorite GBA games on, and maybe some MAME and Pico 8 stuff. This seems pretty perfect for that, and the original GBA look really scratches that nostalga-y part of my brain.
I'm literally in the same boat@@TheBrotherGrim, I've never owned an emulator device but this (and the Cube) are the only ones that have gotten my attention. Definitely wanna pick up the 34xx, maybe next year
Same. GBA is my childhood device...I simply can't pass this up despite already owning 4 Anbernic handhelds with the H700 chipset already. Gotta sell my white RG40XXV.
@@Mike-B-Jackson Yep I first had a Gameboy Color and then a Gameboy Advance. The worm light was an absolute necessity. A year or two later I did get an SP, but the og GBA is definitely the more comfortable option so I will likely buy this one. My 35xxSP hardly gets used because of the uncomfortable ergonomics.
Russ I really appreciate all the little OCD things that you notice about these devices, like the smudging of the screen when using the D-pad. These are practical things that people like me would be bothered by, but most reviewers don't ever notice or care about these types of things.
This one is so tempting for literally no reason!! I have a backlit-modded original GBA, and I have an RP2S that does everything else this device would do and more. So why do I still want this lol
Same. I actually dug through my crap and pulled it out to see if it passes the "Does my nostalgia let me enjoy the OG GBA form factor in my adult hands 20 years later" test and it 100% does!!!!
@@Man_of_Oil ...I did the exact same modification...wasn't that difficult was it...then we had to decide what type of battery to power the backlit screen...it uses so much more milliamp hours...many went for a Lithium polymer pack and another small case mod to fit it...I didn't...I kept it standard...and use AA high power Lithium ion which gives a couple of hours easily...also backed up with a mains step down buck converter...easy mod that...which did you opt for
I have a modded SP with an IPS display and while I love that device I still play frequently on my 351p, because of the larger screen size. So that’s something this has over your GBA.
A 20% upscaled or so device with a 4" or 4.5" display for adult hand sizes, keeping the form unchanged would be a Nice alternative option for this (as well as fix the pad). Hands 20% bigger, arms 20% longer, and eyesight 20% worse all combine to make the screen and device a whole lot less usable than if you got this device age 12.
Been thinking the exact same thing. Would definitely trigger a lot of people's nostalgic feelings if they make devices upscaled in size. Dare I say, I'd even think people will pay an even higher premium for that recreated feeling
Nice review. This might be the first retro handheld I would consider only to dedicate to *one* console family. It could be fun to load one up with GB/GBC/GBA and *nothing* else!
The Anbernic K101+ is available right now. It’s a direct hardware clone. It plays GBA cartridges and has the ability to emulate other consoles as well. It’s 8 years old, but the price tag hasn’t changed 😅 $70ish 🤷♂️
You know what I would love to see you do? A video reviewing classic handhelds like the Game Boy Color, DMG, and Game Boy Pocket. Talk about the ergonomics, how they feel today, and so on. Because many adults (like me) are buying these devices again to mod them and replay all the classics.
He actually did make one for the DMG a while back, lemme see... ua-cam.com/video/1cMfh1H6Hw4/v-deo.htmlsi=TY-eM1uzGw-h_eJt I do think videos like this would really help us see things that our nostalgia makes us gloss over, lol
This is the movement I want to see from manufacturers. Budget friendly emulation devices with the original form factor of old handhelds. So we can get the authentic experience with the modern qol upgrades of emulation. Hopefully reviews criticizing the original form factor by today's standards aren't discouraging to future projects like this.
Desperately wanting a DS or better yet a 3DS/2DS form factor Anbernic device now. Something that can play DS and 3DS with proper dual screens (or a portrait orientation display could work too) and physical controls, but for emulators instead of the original hardware so we can have frameskip and upscaling... man that would be a dream.
Yeah :/ the only issue is that any handheld Citra isn’t really great. You need good hardware to emulate it because it’s poorly optimized, and now that Nintendo cracked down on it, there’s no more progress being made on it. It’ll be a while before small Linux/android handhelds can do 3DS. Some of the higher price handhelds can do it though, the Odin 1/2/lite, the Switch family (modded), and the retroids (3/4/5), and obviously other more powerful ones but I’m just talking about lower price handhelds. Then again, paying 200+ to play 3DS…and it’s poorly done? Might as well just get a 3DS lol.
As someone who prefers dedicated devices this one is right up my alley. One device for all them leads to compromises. As well as paralysis caused by too many game options. Just GBA in this form factor is perfect.
I love my 35SP, so I can absolutely hold out for the glacier blue. I also don't really need another handheld, but I'd still like to be convinced to get the 34xx.
It's actually still a pretty decent handheld in all likehoods. I liked my RG350, but it was a pain to update firmwares, emulators, and scrape boxart (needed to unscrew back to access sd card).
Still use mine every day. Shout out to AmberElec! I never bought any of the devices that followed actually, since I was so happy with it, believe it or not, but I did buy the missus a Miyoo Mini lol.
Man Anbernic really has Sold Me on this One! All they have to do is to make a High Quality Knock-Off and I’ll Buy it. I used to have the OG GBA and the GBA SP, it would be great to have them again Plus the Modern Upgrade.
Holy shit Anbernic actually knocked it out of the park with this. I was super worried about extra clicky buttons as I like to game while my wife watches tv or something. Glad they went with more silent buttons. Everything else is just *chefs kiss*. I think the only way they could make it better would be an OLED screen but I will take what I can get.
This design holds a special place in my heart. This was the first console I was able to import in my early 20s from Japan. This was still very early in the days of the internet being popular, so even people I knew that was into gaming had no idea what I had in my hands. It came with a copy of Super Mario Advance, but obviously all in kanji. It was a difficult time for me, and I really leaned heavily into gaming as an escape. Honestly don't know where I'd be today if I didn't have that escape and pressure release. For the few months between the JPN and US releases, it felt pretty cool to show people what was coming out. It actually was the ice breaker with some gamer friends I still have today. Friendships that ironically also helped me through a really tough time. It's weird to be attached or have a visceral reaction to an inanimate object, but I always get a warm feeling whenever I see the OG advance.
Will be getting this! Both for the nostalgia but also the community will find many ways to make this handheld better with modding. I think having a strong community that can make iterations on hardware and software makes the entire retro experience new and more fun! All the cons you listed, the community will most likely come up with fixes that will make the rg34 way better
I was just setting up batocera 40 today and I got side tracked and ended up playing 3 hours of Astro Boy on the GBA. Such an incredible game on an outstanding system for it's time.
Okay the price is definetely appealing but the D-pad got me concerned even though I think it'll be okay, not to mention we may see mods from the community. I had this baby back in the days and I can't resist the call, I think it'll be my second device with the Miyoo Mini Plus. I wasn't expecting you to review it so soon, but thanks! Your videos always points the details so that's why I always wait to see your reviews like "what's this device from Russ's perspective" and "what details his he gonna light out with his magnifying lens" lol. Also, maybe most of the games you played from the GBA catalog are turned based RPG or so, but there's actually a good bunch of action games that would require good controls, so yes it does matter how good or not the controls are for such a system. Which makes me thing that was probably for the best that you can crouch in Mega Man Zero Games, maybe it was considered at first until Inti Creates realized that the D-pad would get in the way as they meant to do a precise platformer with tight controls (basically you just need to hit up and down for ladders and menus, during action parts, what matters most is left and right). This just makes me like the Zero Series even more lol. Edit: love the questions at the end! I think I have not considered that when buying the Miyoo mini plus and I ended up installing retroarch on my phone and play with a controller with phone holder at home, bringing the MMP only when I go outside, which is actually rare. I still love how plug and play the experience is, and also having a dedicated device for retro stuff but the small size of handheld ends up feeling uncomfortable after a certain amount of time. So I mostly play GB, GBC and Gamegear games. Maybe I'll get the accessories they sell to improve the ergonomics first and see if it's better before jumping on a new device. Thanks again for all the details in your reviews, you always cover everything and beyond!
Oh man... This is really tickling that nostalgia portion of my brain. The indigo looks perfect. That's the color of GBA I had. I played mine through most of college, so I'm sure this would still be good for me. I was never one to really like the SP's more cramped form factor. This is the best of both worlds.
5 billion devices later and Anbernic finally made something that is a must buy for me Also may I offer a 3rd grip style? Fingertip grip: Place your index fingers in the dip of the L1/R1 buttons, then place your other fingers' fingertips naturally wherever they land on the back. Not what I'd use for a fast pace or intense game, but for things like classic JRPG's it's great!
I have debated getting so many 3:2 devices, but every time there was just something wrong. I heard Anbernic’s old 3:2 devices didnt hold up as well as their newer devices. I saw the price of the Ayaneo micro. The V10 seemed to be missing important basic buttons. This is going to be the perfect GBA emulation device. It is pocketable enough to easily carry and cheap enough to not panic about scratches. In other words. The perfect emulator to hand to my niece and nephew whenever I see them with the perfect library of games
I feel like this Anbernic handheld might be the best one as a gift. Slap MinUI on the thing, put just GBA roms with a good LCD shader, and a GBA boot logo, and its a perfect gift.
You can add and select custom LCD shaders on MinUI? I was under the impression that MinUI minimalizes the whole experience that you cannot even enter emulator settings like retroarch to change and select different bezels and shaders...
This handheld is the first time I actually felt dirty. Like, the attraction to this machine's concept might have triggered some hormones that normally shouldn't be associated with consumer electronics but, I guess it came at this point.
I thought the same thing, I didn't get people's hype around all the retro devices that came out constantly...until this one lol. I have a pocket device I use for Gameboy advance and I don't care, I want this one. It was my first handheld ever when I was 9 and it's shaped my gaming preferences for my entire life.
I really enjoy your videos. I got a rg35xx because of you (and Wulff Den) and I am super happy with it. I'm not planning on getting another device, but i keep on watching your videos because of your chill vibe and my passion with tech stuff :)
I wrist-strap whatever device I can. A little for the klutz factor, but a lot for the NYC subway factor (which itself breaks out into multiple sub-factors...)
Those questions at the end were pretty funny to me. I have a modded gba and several small emulation handhelds like the miyoo mini and rg35xx and the gba is more comfortable to hold than any of them. Really shows how different someone who grew up and used a gba compared to someone that never did. Great video, Russ.
I knew the thumb was gonna smear the screen when I first saw it hahaha. Glad it doesn't have an analog stick those always feel like they're in the way with these devices.
I literally bought an RG35XX+ about 10 days ago as a first time retro handheld. This GBA form factor is my favorite handheld of all time, and I even looked to see if one existed before I bought one. Will be buying as soon as it goes live in the morning. I guess this is just a rite of passage for Anbernic owners
I have way more fond memories with the GBA SP than with the original GBA; I never liked the original's form factor. So obviously I'd get the RG35XXSP, but the TrimUI Brick and RG40XXV have been catching more of my attention lately. I just love how sessy and slick they look.
I never owned or even played an original GBA. I was too old, and like Russ says, it was a child's toy. And I have over a dozen handhelds - several of which are better over all. But I'm still going to buy this handheld. I LOVE the idea of it. Plus it's $60-70 (by the time I'll buy it). It just has a supreme cool factor. Will I use it? Probably - a bit. I am on a GBA kick lately playing Castlevania. And what better way to enjoy it than on an "original" style platform? Plus I know a few Nintendo-mania millennials that will explode when I show it to them.
“2. Have you used the GBA with your now adult-sized hands?” /was an adult when the GBA first came out and bought it on launch day uhh am i allowed to answer this russ seriously though, i’ll probably get this as a gift for myself in a couple months since i LOVE the original GBA form factor and prefer it over the SP. i think it’d also be a great MinUI machine as well.
Not gonna lie...the original advance was a superb horizontal handheld. This one could do with 2 analogue sticks, but....the price reflects a great handheld
@@morganghetti You don't need or want a bigger screen for GBA games. You want one that's designed around the right screen resolution so the pixels look crisp, not stretched. If you really want a bigger screen, go play on your PC. It will look terrible.
It was the first handheld I bought with my own money. In Indigo. I didn't get to choose the color. I told my parents who were in charge of the money I made from these bead craft projects I made, and they came home with it, I wanted the arctic blue, I think it was called, the translucent blue at that time.
Anbernic understands that these days there's no such thing as "one size fits all," so they decided to take a "one size for each" approach. Sounds like they understood the assignment to me.
I have a GBA indigo and was planning on modding it to have an IPS screen and USB C charging, and then Anbernic comes and releases this amazing handheld. I am definitely selling my GBA to get one of those!
I always wanted the original GBA but just never got one. I ended up getting the GBA SP instead. I'm really excited for this one. I'm hoping this could be the "one" when it comes to a perfect GPA only machine.
if it'd ever held a gba and had nostalgia for it I'd be snapping this up right now. In fact even as someone that didn't have a gba this is very tempting as something to experience the gba for the first time.
"I get thrills out of playing PS1 games on a GBA like device" YES this! I don't know what it is, but this is what fascinates me about these retro style handhelds. It's just the fact that we have devices that feel like the old consoles but you can play so many things on them, that were stuck on home consoles or arcades previously. I love to play PS1 games on my RG 405V, it gives me that thrill feeling of "I am playing this on a DMG like handheld" every time.
Owning still an indigo GBA, I can say that the colour seems to be darker than then original. Hard to think that we used to play with a screen that has No light! This alone makes this system a winner for sure.
This is a dream come true to me. I loved the GBA, but only got to get a broken one when I was a child, besides a Mega Duck (Cougar Boy here) that was what my family could afford. This a certain buy for me
I'm not a GBA fan, but that transparent green color looks amazing 💚. It is so warm and vibrant. I always thought that Retroid Pocket 2S in transparent green should look like this
this is it for me. I don't need a lot of power for my use case(pokemon ROM hacks exclusively) and I don't need a joystick I'm trying to not fall into FOMO with handhelds so I've been patient in waiting for the perfect match for my steam deck/PC/switch setup.
GBA was the handheld where I stopped playing and collecting. After that I was more into PC gaming, collecting and found out M.U.G.E.N Engine building your own fighting games 😅
Hi Russ, Thank you for the review. The ergonomics point is very much a non-issue for me. I find the GBA (and I have used it with my adult hands) is much better (for me) than vertical layout devices. As to horizontal devices, this has no pesky analog sticks (which is a plus for me - if I pocket analog sticks they always get snagged). And compared with the 28XX (which I quite liked), this one will be bigger and integer scale GBA games (I play a lot of Pokemon gen 3, vanilla and hack roms alike). I will be buying the indigo, and if they do release a Glacier I will definitely buy a second one.
Seeing how I got the 351 P mostly because of the gba purple shell back then I think I'll definitely get this now Anbernic make my teal GBC and I'll have my childhood back again 😅
This hits me right in the nostalgia, I remember waiting in line for the store to open to get an indigo GBA on launch day with my mom. However I have far more handhelds that I love playing GBA on so I’m skipping this one. GBA on the Retroid pocket 5 is an incredible experience
Happy to see Anbernic continue the "controller/system" style. Loved the RG ARC. I still want to see another SNES controller style one. I know one exists, but I mean a smaller more comfortable one without analog sticks.
Finally, a 47th device to put GBA rom on and never touch again
Ikr
Real talk
I get that there are a ton of them, but this form factor is really appealing to some people. I plan on getting one as my first retro handheld, and aside from the RG Cubexx, it's really the only one that has caught my eye. I just want a little guy to play my favorite GBA games on, and maybe some MAME and Pico 8 stuff. This seems pretty perfect for that, and the original GBA look really scratches that nostalga-y part of my brain.
I'm literally in the same boat@@TheBrotherGrim, I've never owned an emulator device but this (and the Cube) are the only ones that have gotten my attention. Definitely wanna pick up the 34xx, maybe next year
Yeah but this is the most GBA-looking aside from that SP thing
Honestly as someone who’s favorite console is the GBA this is one of the most exciting things I’ve seen in quite a while
Did you get the Ambernic SP?
Same. GBA is my childhood device...I simply can't pass this up despite already owning 4 Anbernic handhelds with the H700 chipset already. Gotta sell my white RG40XXV.
Same here, this looks like the perfect GBA to me.
Powkiddy V10 is great for GBA too. It doesn't have this nostalgia case but it's much cheaper. Sorry for my English, I'm not native speaker.
GBA is easily my most played system.
It’s really great on the steam deck oled.
If you had a GBA back in the day, you absolutely had a worm light. It was hard to see the screen even in a well lit room LOL. Ah, the memories . =)
Few people had those lights and most of the kids who had a GBA are wearing glasses now 😂 (like me)
@@Mike-B-Jackson Yep I first had a Gameboy Color and then a Gameboy Advance. The worm light was an absolute necessity. A year or two later I did get an SP, but the og GBA is definitely the more comfortable option so I will likely buy this one. My 35xxSP hardly gets used because of the uncomfortable ergonomics.
I had the worm light for the GBC, but for the GBA, I installed the Afterburner front light kit 👍
I had this huge plastic contraption that clipped onto the front and included a light and a screen magnifier
Not me....and I had all three models@@emaheiwa8174
I love how even the old battery location was preserved. Definitely want one of these guys for the nostalgia factor.
I love what they did with the face buttons
@skycloud4802 they did a good job with them too!
Russ I really appreciate all the little OCD things that you notice about these devices, like the smudging of the screen when using the D-pad. These are practical things that people like me would be bothered by, but most reviewers don't ever notice or care about these types of things.
This one is so tempting for literally no reason!! I have a backlit-modded original GBA, and I have an RP2S that does everything else this device would do and more. So why do I still want this lol
nostalgia
Same. I actually dug through my crap and pulled it out to see if it passes the "Does my nostalgia let me enjoy the OG GBA form factor in my adult hands 20 years later" test and it 100% does!!!!
@@Man_of_Oil ...I did the exact same modification...wasn't that difficult was it...then we had to decide what type of battery to power the backlit screen...it uses so much more milliamp hours...many went for a Lithium polymer pack and another small case mod to fit it...I didn't...I kept it standard...and use AA high power Lithium ion which gives a couple of hours easily...also backed up with a mains step down buck converter...easy mod that...which did you opt for
I have a modded SP with an IPS display and while I love that device I still play frequently on my 351p, because of the larger screen size. So that’s something this has over your GBA.
I’m in the same boat. I have a rg35xx h, a razer edge, and I’m getting a miyoo mini for Christmas, but I still want this.
I’m actually glad to see a company making a specific use/nostalgia handheld. Most of these things can *play* anything, but do they make you *feel* it?
UA-cam will suggest me to watch the latest Retro Game Corps video and I always go "Yeah man, I wanna do it.:
We have all the Anbernic handhelds humanly possible, but they will still find a way.
Still missing the Nintendo DS copy
Welcome to Anbernic Park 🦕
@@jasonrodriguez2963 yeah maybe in 2025 we will see something similar
I do hope they make a DS-like handheld that can handle 3DS games. I'll be buying it if they do.
i'm waiting for a good 3ds/ 2ds cheap clone . I missed that console and due its price i don't mind to buy a preowned one
A 20% upscaled or so device with a 4" or 4.5" display for adult hand sizes, keeping the form unchanged would be a Nice alternative option for this (as well as fix the pad). Hands 20% bigger, arms 20% longer, and eyesight 20% worse all combine to make the screen and device a whole lot less usable than if you got this device age 12.
Still buying one, but yes an adult-sized, but 100% otherwise accurate GBA would be sick!
Been thinking the exact same thing. Would definitely trigger a lot of people's nostalgic feelings if they make devices upscaled in size. Dare I say, I'd even think people will pay an even higher premium for that recreated feeling
He said it was a half inch bigger screen, right? Thats like 15-20% more screen.
Pocketable is always my main concern. Screen is like third or fourth concern.
I know the GBA fits into my pocket, I wouldn’t want it to be bigger.
Got my RG40XXV two weeks ago and haven’t touched my legion Go since. The power of Pokémon is real.
Nice review. This might be the first retro handheld I would consider only to dedicate to *one* console family. It could be fun to load one up with GB/GBC/GBA and *nothing* else!
The Anbernic K101+ is available right now. It’s a direct hardware clone. It plays GBA cartridges and has the ability to emulate other consoles as well. It’s 8 years old, but the price tag hasn’t changed 😅
$70ish 🤷♂️
K101 misses the mark with that screen unfortunately
You know what I would love to see you do? A video reviewing classic handhelds like the Game Boy Color, DMG, and Game Boy Pocket. Talk about the ergonomics, how they feel today, and so on. Because many adults (like me) are buying these devices again to mod them and replay all the classics.
I would watch the fuck out of a series like this from any of the larger retro handheld guys, especially if they compare modded old systems to today
He actually did make one for the DMG a while back, lemme see... ua-cam.com/video/1cMfh1H6Hw4/v-deo.htmlsi=TY-eM1uzGw-h_eJt
I do think videos like this would really help us see things that our nostalgia makes us gloss over, lol
The constant devices from them can be tiring, at least this one is cool and nostalgic. Hope Anbernic makes a DS, they would nail it
I want Anbernic to make a PS2 controller looking handheld.
This is what I’m hoping for too. Hopefully sometime next year they’ll release one. Hopefully with the DS lite form factor
They could also nail a psp. Might need to be a bit more powerful though, so it can actually play all the psp games
I don't get bored of seeing their new devices, I look forward to it.
Tiring how? Like for real Casey, HOW can it be "tiring"?
This is the movement I want to see from manufacturers. Budget friendly emulation devices with the original form factor of old handhelds. So we can get the authentic experience with the modern qol upgrades of emulation. Hopefully reviews criticizing the original form factor by today's standards aren't discouraging to future projects like this.
Ahh that GBA shape takes me back, had a silver one but always wanted a transparent blue one.
Desperately wanting a DS or better yet a 3DS/2DS form factor Anbernic device now. Something that can play DS and 3DS with proper dual screens (or a portrait orientation display could work too) and physical controls, but for emulators instead of the original hardware so we can have frameskip and upscaling... man that would be a dream.
I feel like a 2DS variation is definitely possible
You might like the Anbernic RG556
If they actually get glassless 3D working, and can push the price down to like $90, I'd really REALLY consider buying it.
That will require a Custom Dual Screen Driver.
Yeah :/ the only issue is that any handheld Citra isn’t really great. You need good hardware to emulate it because it’s poorly optimized, and now that Nintendo cracked down on it, there’s no more progress being made on it. It’ll be a while before small Linux/android handhelds can do 3DS.
Some of the higher price handhelds can do it though, the Odin 1/2/lite, the Switch family (modded), and the retroids (3/4/5), and obviously other more powerful ones but I’m just talking about lower price handhelds.
Then again, paying 200+ to play 3DS…and it’s poorly done? Might as well just get a 3DS lol.
As someone who prefers dedicated devices this one is right up my alley. One device for all them leads to compromises. As well as paralysis caused by too many game options. Just GBA in this form factor is perfect.
What I like: It's a GBA
What I don't like: It's a GBA
Well, Russ, I guess it's good for people who want a GBA hahaha
There it is!!! Been waiting all weekend for this to drop. Thank you, Russ!! 🤙
Gimme the ice blue deco of my youth, and then we’re talking.
Yeah I need the glacier colorway for this
Same, I almost want to hold out for it
I love my 35SP, so I can absolutely hold out for the glacier blue. I also don't really need another handheld, but I'd still like to be convinced to get the 34xx.
The one I had!
I cant believe the 351p is so old now, feels like i just got it, but here we are 200 handhelds later
It's actually still a pretty decent handheld in all likehoods. I liked my RG350, but it was a pain to update firmwares, emulators, and scrape boxart (needed to unscrew back to access sd card).
I felt a few gray hairs coming in the moment I realized it came out over four years ago 😂😢
Still use mine every day. Shout out to AmberElec! I never bought any of the devices that followed actually, since I was so happy with it, believe it or not, but I did buy the missus a Miyoo Mini lol.
I like the 351p. Too bad I dropped it and the power button broke lol.
going to wait and see what other colors they release! hoping they do the og glacier blue, clear or orange :D
Man Anbernic really has Sold Me on this One! All they have to do is to make a High Quality Knock-Off and I’ll Buy it. I used to have the OG GBA and the GBA SP, it would be great to have them again Plus the Modern Upgrade.
This company understands the EXACT price range for their audience. I literally can't justify NOT buying this!
I am so hungry and dehydrated Russ hasn’t told me to grab a snack or drink in so long
Because Russ is the only drink of water you need.
Lame joke
I got the XXSP and now this is being released, all time fav console. Super stoked to get this, love anbernic
It's not gonna play anything different than the sp.
Finally a good gba form factor and screen for an emulation handheld. None of that uncomfortable micro and sp crap.
Been waiting for this form factor to finally hit
Holy shit Anbernic actually knocked it out of the park with this. I was super worried about extra clicky buttons as I like to game while my wife watches tv or something. Glad they went with more silent buttons. Everything else is just *chefs kiss*. I think the only way they could make it better would be an OLED screen but I will take what I can get.
This design holds a special place in my heart. This was the first console I was able to import in my early 20s from Japan. This was still very early in the days of the internet being popular, so even people I knew that was into gaming had no idea what I had in my hands. It came with a copy of Super Mario Advance, but obviously all in kanji.
It was a difficult time for me, and I really leaned heavily into gaming as an escape. Honestly don't know where I'd be today if I didn't have that escape and pressure release. For the few months between the JPN and US releases, it felt pretty cool to show people what was coming out. It actually was the ice breaker with some gamer friends I still have today. Friendships that ironically also helped me through a really tough time. It's weird to be attached or have a visceral reaction to an inanimate object, but I always get a warm feeling whenever I see the OG advance.
I love that you are wearing a Vaer watch. Great brand.
Will be getting this! Both for the nostalgia but also the community will find many ways to make this handheld better with modding. I think having a strong community that can make iterations on hardware and software makes the entire retro experience new and more fun! All the cons you listed, the community will most likely come up with fixes that will make the rg34 way better
I'm wishing for a glacier blue one, pure nostalgic reasons.
Eagerly awaiting the RG35XX DSi
I like the quiz section, you should do more of em at the end of the video.
I was just setting up batocera 40 today and I got side tracked and ended up playing 3 hours of Astro Boy on the GBA. Such an incredible game on an outstanding system for it's time.
Okay the price is definetely appealing but the D-pad got me concerned even though I think it'll be okay, not to mention we may see mods from the community. I had this baby back in the days and I can't resist the call, I think it'll be my second device with the Miyoo Mini Plus. I wasn't expecting you to review it so soon, but thanks! Your videos always points the details so that's why I always wait to see your reviews like "what's this device from Russ's perspective" and "what details his he gonna light out with his magnifying lens" lol.
Also, maybe most of the games you played from the GBA catalog are turned based RPG or so, but there's actually a good bunch of action games that would require good controls, so yes it does matter how good or not the controls are for such a system. Which makes me thing that was probably for the best that you can crouch in Mega Man Zero Games, maybe it was considered at first until Inti Creates realized that the D-pad would get in the way as they meant to do a precise platformer with tight controls (basically you just need to hit up and down for ladders and menus, during action parts, what matters most is left and right).
This just makes me like the Zero Series even more lol.
Edit: love the questions at the end! I think I have not considered that when buying the Miyoo mini plus and I ended up installing retroarch on my phone and play with a controller with phone holder at home, bringing the MMP only when I go outside, which is actually rare. I still love how plug and play the experience is, and also having a dedicated device for retro stuff but the small size of handheld ends up feeling uncomfortable after a certain amount of time. So I mostly play GB, GBC and Gamegear games. Maybe I'll get the accessories they sell to improve the ergonomics first and see if it's better before jumping on a new device. Thanks again for all the details in your reviews, you always cover everything and beyond!
Oh man... This is really tickling that nostalgia portion of my brain. The indigo looks perfect. That's the color of GBA I had. I played mine through most of college, so I'm sure this would still be good for me. I was never one to really like the SP's more cramped form factor. This is the best of both worlds.
5 billion devices later and Anbernic finally made something that is a must buy for me
Also may I offer a 3rd grip style?
Fingertip grip: Place your index fingers in the dip of the L1/R1 buttons, then place your other fingers' fingertips naturally wherever they land on the back. Not what I'd use for a fast pace or intense game, but for things like classic JRPG's it's great!
My first handheld console was an orange Gameboy Advance, with Pokémon Yellow as the only cartridge I owned. Ahh so nostalgic. ☺️
I have debated getting so many 3:2 devices, but every time there was just something wrong. I heard Anbernic’s old 3:2 devices didnt hold up as well as their newer devices. I saw the price of the Ayaneo micro. The V10 seemed to be missing important basic buttons.
This is going to be the perfect GBA emulation device. It is pocketable enough to easily carry and cheap enough to not panic about scratches. In other words. The perfect emulator to hand to my niece and nephew whenever I see them with the perfect library of games
I feel like this Anbernic handheld might be the best one as a gift. Slap MinUI on the thing, put just GBA roms with a good LCD shader, and a GBA boot logo, and its a perfect gift.
You can add and select custom LCD shaders on MinUI? I was under the impression that MinUI minimalizes the whole experience that you cannot even enter emulator settings like retroarch to change and select different bezels and shaders...
This handheld is the first time I actually felt dirty. Like, the attraction to this machine's concept might have triggered some hormones that normally shouldn't be associated with consumer electronics but, I guess it came at this point.
I thought the same thing, I didn't get people's hype around all the retro devices that came out constantly...until this one lol. I have a pocket device I use for Gameboy advance and I don't care, I want this one. It was my first handheld ever when I was 9 and it's shaped my gaming preferences for my entire life.
Eventually there will be the RG49XXC++ 2X
this just makes me wait for the much needed psp anbernic device!
I really enjoy your videos. I got a rg35xx because of you (and Wulff Den) and I am super happy with it. I'm not planning on getting another device, but i keep on watching your videos because of your chill vibe and my passion with tech stuff :)
been waiting for the review so much!
I wrist-strap whatever device I can. A little for the klutz factor, but a lot for the NYC subway factor (which itself breaks out into multiple sub-factors...)
Those questions at the end were pretty funny to me. I have a modded gba and several small emulation handhelds like the miyoo mini and rg35xx and the gba is more comfortable to hold than any of them. Really shows how different someone who grew up and used a gba compared to someone that never did. Great video, Russ.
I knew the thumb was gonna smear the screen when I first saw it hahaha. Glad it doesn't have an analog stick those always feel like they're in the way with these devices.
I find analogue sticks pointless in nostalgia bait devices.
Exactly! It completely ruins the ergonomics. I just hope Anbernic can fix the inaccurate dpad.
@@skycloud4802ps1s are nostalgic and they had thumbsticks
@@varenoftatooine2393 very few Playstation 1 titles were dual shock compatible, because the original controller pad didn't have them.
Got my late night snack & a drink. Now I'm ready to watch a nice video before bed 😌🩵
Fantastic little machine for GBA. I don't see playing much of anything else on it. Think I'll stick with the Ambernic SP. Great review, Russ. 👍
I have an RG40XXH but this is super tempting for no justifiable reason.
Only thing left is an rg DS xx
Then we'll have the whole collection
I literally bought an RG35XX+ about 10 days ago as a first time retro handheld.
This GBA form factor is my favorite handheld of all time, and I even looked to see if one existed before I bought one. Will be buying as soon as it goes live in the morning.
I guess this is just a rite of passage for Anbernic owners
I have way more fond memories with the GBA SP than with the original GBA; I never liked the original's form factor. So obviously I'd get the RG35XXSP, but the TrimUI Brick and RG40XXV have been catching more of my attention lately. I just love how sessy and slick they look.
I never owned or even played an original GBA. I was too old, and like Russ says, it was a child's toy. And I have over a dozen handhelds - several of which are better over all. But I'm still going to buy this handheld. I LOVE the idea of it. Plus it's $60-70 (by the time I'll buy it). It just has a supreme cool factor. Will I use it? Probably - a bit. I am on a GBA kick lately playing Castlevania. And what better way to enjoy it than on an "original" style platform? Plus I know a few Nintendo-mania millennials that will explode when I show it to them.
So awesome, now time for a DSI XI from Anbernic
There were plenty of adults who had a GBA. BY the time it launched those who got a GB for Christmas in 1989 were in our early 20's by then
“2. Have you used the GBA with your now adult-sized hands?”
/was an adult when the GBA first came out and bought it on launch day
uhh am i allowed to answer this russ
seriously though, i’ll probably get this as a gift for myself in a couple months since i LOVE the original GBA form factor and prefer it over the SP. i think it’d also be a great MinUI machine as well.
Not gonna lie...the original advance was a superb horizontal handheld.
This one could do with 2 analogue sticks, but....the price reflects a great handheld
Another quality review! Thanks!
best device for GBA only emulation
Neh. Plenty of others run GBA with a bigger screen
@@morganghetti You don't need or want a bigger screen for GBA games. You want one that's designed around the right screen resolution so the pixels look crisp, not stretched.
If you really want a bigger screen, go play on your PC. It will look terrible.
Gba games look awful on a lot of big screens that dont properly scale them.
@@morganghetti lol...thats the dumbest thing i have ever read..
I will mainly play ps1, gba gb gbc and snes games on this beast 👌
A 4” 3:2 would have been perfect.
It was the first handheld I bought with my own money. In Indigo. I didn't get to choose the color. I told my parents who were in charge of the money I made from these bead craft projects I made, and they came home with it, I wanted the arctic blue, I think it was called, the translucent blue at that time.
They knew who their target demographic was and nailed it
I knew I was gonna pick this one up already, but I love watching your videos anyway.
Anbernic understands that these days there's no such thing as "one size fits all," so they decided to take a "one size for each" approach. Sounds like they understood the assignment to me.
I have a GBA indigo and was planning on modding it to have an IPS screen and USB C charging, and then Anbernic comes and releases this amazing handheld. I am definitely selling my GBA to get one of those!
I always wanted the original GBA but just never got one. I ended up getting the GBA SP instead. I'm really excited for this one. I'm hoping this could be the "one" when it comes to a perfect GPA only machine.
I never heard of the color "Indy-go" before 😂
I like that this exists, but definitely won't replace my rg35xxh
I literally got a xxSP the other month FINE ANBERNIC I'LL COLLECT ANOTHER, by the time that gets delivered there will be a og DS out
The D pad test fail = DOA
If we get this in the glacier colorway then I’m in!
if it'd ever held a gba and had nostalgia for it I'd be snapping this up right now. In fact even as someone that didn't have a gba this is very tempting as something to experience the gba for the first time.
37:08 i swear it sounds like you are saying "pants down" honestly I love that
This is a great idea for those who want to play on device similar to orginal old gameboys.
what a great time it was to be alive when this came out^^ I remember. Still got it around somewhere.
"I get thrills out of playing PS1 games on a GBA like device" YES this! I don't know what it is, but this is what fascinates me about these retro style handhelds.
It's just the fact that we have devices that feel like the old consoles but you can play so many things on them, that were stuck on home consoles or arcades previously.
I love to play PS1 games on my RG 405V, it gives me that thrill feeling of "I am playing this on a DMG like handheld" every time.
But but... Does it feel and look like the OG gba? 😋 Just teasing, thanks for another great video! Now a 1:1 replica of the OG SP would be great 😊
I’ve been chasing that first GBA hit since the 90s… it’s tuned me into a handheld junkie. Finally this!
ganna but this for sure when its available in Philippines ❤
Owning still an indigo GBA, I can say that the colour seems to be darker than then original. Hard to think that we used to play with a screen that has No light! This alone makes this system a winner for sure.
This is a dream come true to me. I loved the GBA, but only got to get a broken one when I was a child, besides a Mega Duck (Cougar Boy here) that was what my family could afford. This a certain buy for me
I'm not a GBA fan, but that transparent green color looks amazing 💚. It is so warm and vibrant. I always thought that Retroid Pocket 2S in transparent green should look like this
I was eagerly awaiting this video after seeing the post on Reddit!!!! 🥳
*Take My Money...*
_Crap, I've already spent it all on other handhelds!!!_
this is it for me. I don't need a lot of power for my use case(pokemon ROM hacks exclusively) and I don't need a joystick
I'm trying to not fall into FOMO with handhelds so I've been patient in waiting for the perfect match for my steam deck/PC/switch setup.
GBA was the handheld where I stopped playing and collecting.
After that I was more into PC gaming, collecting and found out M.U.G.E.N Engine building your own fighting games 😅
Hi Russ,
Thank you for the review. The ergonomics point is very much a non-issue for me. I find the GBA (and I have used it with my adult hands) is much better (for me) than vertical layout devices. As to horizontal devices, this has no pesky analog sticks (which is a plus for me - if I pocket analog sticks they always get snagged). And compared with the 28XX (which I quite liked), this one will be bigger and integer scale GBA games (I play a lot of Pokemon gen 3, vanilla and hack roms alike).
I will be buying the indigo, and if they do release a Glacier I will definitely buy a second one.
Seeing how I got the 351 P mostly because of the gba purple shell back then I think I'll definitely get this now Anbernic make my teal GBC and I'll have my childhood back again 😅
This hits me right in the nostalgia, I remember waiting in line for the store to open to get an indigo GBA on launch day with my mom. However I have far more handhelds that I love playing GBA on so I’m skipping this one. GBA on the Retroid pocket 5 is an incredible experience
Happy to see Anbernic continue the "controller/system" style. Loved the RG ARC. I still want to see another SNES controller style one. I know one exists, but I mean a smaller more comfortable one without analog sticks.
So excited for this
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! I ASKED FOR THIS FOR YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and I'm broke when it comes out. My soul hurts.
Yeah man, I wanna do it.
The original gba was where gaming started for me. I love this existing
I saw the Atomic Purple before, but the transparent colour I've not. Dang the extra buttons are amazing