Reviews

ANBERNIC RG353P, a formidable portable console for classic games

ANBERNIC is quite an experienced manufacturer when it comes to producing Android-based handheld consoles for retro emulation, and the ANBERNIC RG353P it’s one of your best bets yet in the affordable range. Going into details, this portable console with the shape and aesthetics of SNES control is in terms of internal hardware a rehash of the ANBERNIC RG503but with a more compact format (3.5” screen), fixed bugs and a few improvements here and there.

This model is characterized by its versatility and options, offering a dual operating system (Android 11 + Linux), extensive emulator support, and also various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 5 and HDMI. For more information, we invite you to continue reading.

Technical specifications of the ANBERNIC RG353P

 

ANBERNIC RG353P
Brand Anbernic
Model RG353P
Available colours black, gray
Screen IPS 3.5 inch
Resolution 640 x 480 pixels
Processor Four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz
GPU Mali-G31 MP2
RAM 2GB DDR3
Storage 32GB + microSD 16GB + MicroSD 64GB
Operating system Android 11, Batocera
Drums Lithium-Ion 3500 mAh
Autonomy about six hours
recharge Approximately 4 hours of recharge time
wireless connectivity Yes, Wi-Fi 5G, Bluetooth 4.2
ports USB-C, USB-OTG, HDMI
Speaker 2 with stereo quality
Vibration Yes
Compatibility PSP, CC, SS, PS1, NDS, N64, CPS1, CPS2, FBA, NEOGEO, GBA, GBC, GB, SFC, FC, MD, SMS, for GG, MSX, PCE, WSC, WIN, NGG
Package content Console, USB charging cable, gift box, user manual, screen protector.

 

 

Pocket console with a lot to offer

In terms of design, the new Anbernic RG353P feels like the natural successor to the RG351P, exhibiting a thick plastic shell reminiscent of a Super Nintendo controller.

Going into details, the console becomes noticeably larger towards the top of the case, allowing for a larger battery capacity, larger side buttons, and more ports. On the other hand, the bottom is much slimmer, which makes room for neatly placed speakers, a headphone jack, and SD card slots.

ANBERNIC RG353P - Design

Around the screen we will find a lot of buttons that have been well placed. For example, the on/off function and button are on the front, allowing quick access to emulator settings and putting the console to sleep when not in use. On the shoulders are located R1/R2 and L1/L2 triggers that offer a good response.

Naturally, we will also find two analog sticks, identical to the Nintendo Switch in a black color that matches the D-PAD, which we must say is of high quality and feels firm. However, we do not have such positive impressions of the case, which feels cheap and less durable compared to the ANBERNIC RG503.

ANBERNIC RG353P

In another order of ideas, the 3.5-inch 640×480 pixel IPS touch screen It provides us with a sharp image with vibrant colors and equally good viewing angles. The only thing we could complain about is the size, which seems small compared to the 5.95-inch panel on the RG503. However, this is a decision that actually responds to the design philosophy of this device.

ANBERNIC RG353P - Display

hardware and features

The ANBERNIC RG353P is powered by a 1.8Ghz quad-core RK3566 chip, an entry-level SoC with low energy consumption accompanied by 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It is important to note that this console has not one, but two SD card slots and two Micro-SD cards are included with your purchase respectively.

One of the included Micro-SD cards has a capacity of 16GB and houses Batocera, a Linux distribution specialized in retro emulation that does not require installation as such, so it runs directly from the card. With that said, the second Micro-SD can be up to 512GB and is basically used to add more games.

ANBERNIC RG353P - Operating systems

Going into details, Android 11 comes installed on internal memory and it allows us to do everything we would do with any Android device, although with the limitation that it does not have the Play Store installed, so we will have to find apps from other places. Interestingly it includes moonlit an application that allows us to enjoy our Steam games via Streaming from our computer (it has to be on the same local network and requires Nvidia GPU).

Both operating systems include emulators to enjoy all the titles that come with the console and more, but that does not mean that we can use them all, which brings us to the next point.

How about emulation?

The ANBERNIC RG353P has what it takes to run 8-bit and 16-bit games smoothly, scratching up some 32-bit titles, which seems about right for the price. Going into details, this device has no problems with titles belonging to the fourth and fifth generation of consoles, so it is totally recommended for games of Sega Saturn, Super Nintendo, Game Boy and even PlayStation One.

Nintendo 64 and DreamCast are another possibility, but this is where the limitations begin to be noticed in the form of occasional performance drops and sound errors, but despite everything, it is a fully playable and acceptable experience for the price.

Supported emulation platforms

Secondly, the story changes when we get to PSP, where the gameplay varies from title to title. As reference, Tekken 6 runs at 50-60FPS with an occasional annoying frame drop, but harder-to-emulate titles like God of War: Chains of Olympus and Dante’s Inferno barely scratch 25-30fps and that makes them unplayable at normal speed, so we can’t say it’s a perfect experience.

With that said, we believe that PSP is the limit, Well, although there are emulators installed for PS2 and Gamecubes, in games of these platforms is impossible to get a playable FPS rate regardless of the visual sacrifices and adjustments we make to the emulation.

Lastly, it should be added that the 3,500mAh battery gives us up to 6 hours of play with this console, but that may vary based on usage.

connectivity

Connectivity options are not lacking in this console, for starters, it has USB Type-C port two memory card slots, 3.5mm Jack and even a mini-HDMI output to project the image on a monitor or external screen.

moonlit

As if that were not enough, bear Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2; which means we can connect to the internet and also link peripherals like a wireless controller.

Availability and price of the ANBERNIC RG353P


Those interested in the ANBERNIC RG353P can find it for sale at Geekbuying.com in all your memory options. Similarly, it is available for purchase on Banggood.com for similar prices.

PROS:

  • Good price
  • Comfortable and compact design
  • Android 11 + Linux
  • HDMI output
  • Plenty of internal storage and 2 Micro-SD slots

 

CONS:
  • Poor performance with PSP games onwards
  • Does not include the factory Play Store
  • Case seems low quality

 

8.4
Total score

 

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