Don't overlook this handheld! | Anbernic RG ARC Review 

Does this one scratch that 6 button layout itch?

I've offered my opinion on this unit a bunch of times under a bunch of videos. Your review was very good and worth waiting for. Thank you. I'm a huge Sega enthusiast and I love everything about this - the 6(!) face buttons, the superior D-pad, the overall look - except for the performance for the money. The dual boot version should be priced the same as the single OS version is now and the single OS model either shouldn't exist or should be priced further down market. It's like buying a base model 1982 Dodge Charger; racy looks, but, only 84 horsepower. At least the base Charger didn't cost the same as a V8 Mustang, whereas this Arc is priced within $20 of Android based thoroughbreds from Retroid and even Anbernic themselves - the 405V and 505 are discounted to $120, IIRC. If Anbernic were reading this, and I know they aren't, I'd suggest introducing an "Arc Pro" at the $120 price point they're currently selling their 405V at. Give it the same T618 SoC and fan cooling as the 405V so it can run every Sega console, including Dreamcast, pretty much flawlessly as well as titles from the PS2 and NGC. Third party publisher mode Sega did an amazing job with sports games in particular on the PS2. Also, where the speaker holes are now I'd advise swapping the speakers out in favor of putting in a pair of low profile analog inputs there. Sliders make the most sense; but, if they have enough space to countersink real sticks like on the 405M that'd be even better. Like you said; normal sticks would detract from the vibe and, I assume, get in the way when one wants to play some Saturn or Genesis. I'm pretty sure low profile units would be fine for all scenarios a hypothetical Arc Pro would ever be used for. If Taki can design a console then so can I. In my dreams...

Pre-ordered mine and cannot wait for it this week. Wanting an actual controller for emulation, and the 4" screen. This is perfect for fighting games and PS1. Stoked.

Thanks Aish! I actually have tons of nostalgia for this. I still have my Genesis and games so this black one was an immediate order for me.

I'm happy Anbernic followed through on one of my Email suggestions for a Handheld.

I've said this once I'll say it again, put an Amlogic A311D, A311D2, or S922X in this Handheld and you'll have Full Speed Sega Saturn and below Emulation.

great review

This is such an interesting device with so much going for it, I really want one yet I also want a hypothetical more powerful version with much better Saturn emulation and a stick for N64. There really needs to be more 6 button devices!

Great review.

I own the Odin 2 pro and the rgb10 max 2. I’ve been thinking of picking up the Retroid pocket 4 pro. But now after watching this video I’m really thinking of getting this too. It’d be easy to pick up and play my genesis, snes n neo geo games. I really like the 6 button layout. ESP for fighting games as I’ve always found it harder to quickly press the L & R buttons in the heat of a fight. So six buttons are perfect. Thanks for this video :)

Nice job aish!

I love this handheld. I picked it up for the fighting games and 6 buttons. Since then I play all my retro games on it.

This handheld is very beautiful! Sega genesis looks really cool on it.

I really hope they make another with analog sticks and slightly beefed up specs, that's like my dream handheld with the old sega d-pad.

Retro Emulation Handhelds NEED 6-face buttons and 4 shoulders. Throw in 2 clickable sticks, and suddenly you can properly map everything to the device. N64? Now you got C-Buttons, you can put shoulders on shoulders, and then trigger on triggers. Sega? Now you don't have to hit triggers for face-button inputs. Virtual Boy? The right d-pad was basically the c-buttons, so big step forward there. Without that extra Z & C, lots of systems, not just Sega, can't be mapped right. Despite this things lack of power, I am voting with my wallet and buying it for exactly this reason. These device makers need to know we want this, because we actually NEED this for a proper "all-retro" setup.

the shape itself hits so much nostalgia

Great content as always... Those new Retro handhelds were inspired by Sony idea project X...PSP---PlayStationPortal...by having a split DUAL SENSES Controller...with a screen in the middle... But Anbernics went with a SEGA 6 buttons scheme... 🤔👀🧐🤓👌

Anbernic should a *Plus* version of this device with better chipset and analog sticks.

Lets be honest...this thing is all but an OEM quality modern Game Gear. I want one.

PSP games work great on this too. The latest Linux firmware update includes a hot key that allows you to swap the dpad between the PSPs dpad and analog stick on the fly

Great video, sorry to nitpick but are you bumping the mic when you're recording because it turns up when listening to it in my car 😢

I can't wait to give mine a shot. It has a shipping label, but no movement. I also grew up with Nintendo everything and struggle to play Sega games on 4 button handhelds. I actually sold my RG353P to get the Arc-S.

How do you add cover art to the Sega Saturn emulator ?

Hello, thanks for this review ! I read that the audio output is crap with noise in the background when using headphones... Can you confirm this ?

The Saturn never a perfect console to begin with...HERETIC! In seriousness though this was a really good review. As long as on the Saturn side the handheld is capable of playing the Shining Force 3 Trilogy then I'll be very happy with it.

I saw Panzer dragoon Saga running really well there. but its like this most of time? Did you tried Panzer dragoon 1 and 2? There is not much Saturn games that I want to play there but I'm kinda afraid.

*I really hope we'll see at least ArkOS (and possibly more custom firmwares) adapted to this device.* Bought one and I hope it'll arrive soon.

If you want most of your Dreamcast/Saturn games to run full speed just get 50hz PAL roms.

I can see you tested Panzer Dragoon Saga, how does it fare in combat and cutscenes? That's the single game I want Saturn for.

It nay have not the power to play the Sega Genesis/Saturn like what Sega fans say but as a handheld arcade, its absolute the best. All arcade fighting games feels so right playing on this device because of the 6 button layout and amazing dpad. Never regretted buying it.

I think it does have box art scraping somewhere in the main menu somewhere

In regards to dreamcast, you compared android to linux but didn't specify which emulator you were using on linux, can you clarify that? The reason I ask is because Retro Game Corps said he was able to get the best dreamcast experience with retroarch on linux surprisingly. Anyway, thanks for the review, I cant wait to get my own RG Arc!

I guess my question is this... can this run the 2D fighting games on Saturn well? Generally speaking, 2D Saturn games are easier on emulators because they don't require both of the system's CPUs. On a related note, I wonder how well 2D fighters on Dreamcast and Atomiswave work.

Where are you guys getting the fight Cade roms for this?

Y'know what, as an emulation station on its own, the only thing that appeals to me here is N64, Saturn, & Dreamcast. (And I think this does PS2 & PSP?) N64 isn't a big deal, as there's certain games compatible with the N64 emulator on a modded 3DS (I have a modded N2DSXL); even then, there's only a couple I'd want to play. However...for the games I want to play on Saturn & Dreamcast...this thing is PERFECT. Especially since it seems that not even the New 3DS/3DSXL/2DSXL can run anything NAOMI (ex.: Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Capcom vs. SNK 2), and contrary to belief, the Final Burn emulators *DO NOT* seem to like CPS3 stuff (Street Fighter III, etc.)! The Android side of the Arc-D definitely seems to be the way to go; not sure what Saturn emulator the Arc has, but Yaba Sanshiro 2 (which I have on my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra) is pretty good for what I want...even if it exposed Street Fighter ZERO3 as a bit of a disappointment (not even requiring the 4MB RAM card can save it from long load times, and aside from Reverse Dramatic Battle and other touches, it's literally the PSone version). 🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️

How does Marvel vs Capcom 2 and Capcom vs SNK 2 run on Linux? And those N64 emulation was on Linux or Android? 6 face buttons are the best layout for N64! And those two Dreamcast games are the best fighting games ever! Idk why no one tests those!

Witch anbernic is best about saturn/dreamcast?

If the ARC-D has a touch screen, couldn't the analog sticks be emulated on-screen?

I'm confused should I get this or rg405v

Is this can play Saturn games such House of the dead, clockwork knight and virtua fighter?

Hey Stubbs I had an idea for a fun podcast icebreaker! Have everyone decide which celebrity would play them on an Adin Walls documentary on the early days of the retro handheld craze. For instance... I think Jake Gyllenhaal would make a great Russ. (amiright!?) 😅

the nomad of the future

can it run fightcade?

I love my Saturn, so I am disappointed, Thank you for this really good review.

love playing 640x480 DC / Naomi fighting games on this machine... really hope they can bring Stronger CPU to power this series in future instead off keep doing the nintendo style handheld that is totally not ergonomic at all

It reminds me of my gamegear....minus the 6 batteries lol

is it just me, my d-pad working perfectly fine at first, now the up-direction is a bit sticky...... i think i will teardown next week to see what's wrong in there.

Now we need something for Neo Geo fans

Someone needs to develop an otg clip on joystick.

I want to see more snes games and gba or gbc games on this please

It is great for genesis games and CPS1 & CPS2 arcade games too. But it is not powerful enough for Saturn games, and that could be a deal breaker for some people...

SEGA rules!

Original PS didn't have analog so it should't be a problem to play it on that system. And that lack of faith in the saturn IS wrong ;)

@2:20 - someone has sprite-per-line restrictions turned off in the emu :P It makes sonic's belly flop over the title hahaha.

If only this device is run by a powerful chipset.

14:51 Not my type of games buy I would have had flipped it the other way around and used the trigger buttons instead with the D-Pad

Just got mine in today and sadly I'm a bit unimpressed. The build quality leaves a lot to be desired and the d-pad is very strange and floaty. Just a floating disc unlike the Sega d-pads which have sides going down. I bought the more expensive model with the 256gb card because I wanted the Japanese color scheme and that's pretty much the only reason I got the premium version. If i had bought the cheap transparent ones I would definitely be more satisfied but I had to go all out. Should've got the 405v for that better n64/dreamcast/gamecube capability. However this model is an excellent 2d handheld. Great for fighting game players on the go. Just not worth the premium. Get the cheap ones.

You are spot on about the lesser ports. Sega’s exclusive games were fun, but the shared ports were always significantly weaker on Sega. 🍻

"I'm not a SEGA Fan..." - dislikes, closes window, walks away from screen to touch some grass to calm the anger - - Comes back, hears about the D-pad conversion from the SoNyntendo (these days Microsoft too :( ) cross crap - " HALLELUJAH! EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED! PRAISE THE HIDEKI SATO! His soldering be just, his architectures vindicated!"

Arkos is probably not coming (christian doesnt like the handheld), Jelos team hates Anbernic, so also no bueno... but Retro Arena is coming and you can already download some beta images

Just get a Sega-Controller (Saturn or Genesis 6-Button and you're good to go)!

Elle ressemble étrangement à la Game Gear 😮

“ not a sega fan.” As i heard that I gave a 👎 🤬. Never disrespect sega !!!! 😆

I like SEGA and Nintendo however the Super Nintendo was the more well rounded console.

Worst intro. Sega Genesis is so much better than snes

Im not remotely a sega fan but i don’t know why there hasn’t been more six button models. With the round dpad. For the fighting games which I find mostly unplayable on the other styles.