I picked this up to be my first ever retro handheld. I was sold thanks to your review. I have fairly big hands, but i have no issues holding this for a couple of hours. I'm also finally able to play SMRPG after over 20 years without. Very happy with the purchase, though I will definitely snag a RG351M in the future. Thanks for the great video!
Ah, this has the potential to become the modern GameBoy Micro or 2DS. I just think maybe the price should go down first, since it's priced too close to one of their flagships.
I think the price is right for this quality. Smaller device screen ect doesn't mean cheaper, the argument "for 10 more u got retroid2" isn't valid. Understand I like paying less but u know with anbernic you will get long term quality, and compact quality in that case
@@JBentham1523 smaller screen and no analog sticks. It looks like a well made device but this price doesn't work when there other devices out there with bigger screen and sticks.
@@JBentham1523 It's not just 'for 10 more you get Retroid 2', it's 'for 20 more you get RG351P, which is Anbernic's current flagship model'. This is a really handsome device (tho I can't imagine going with something other than the red and gold, that shit is pure 80s bliss) there's no doubt about it, but for a few bucks more you get a powerhouse that comes packed with games and has a more comfortable form factor.
As an owner of this and multiple Anbernic handhelds; the included Sonic the Hedgehog ROM in the Sega Genesis file is actually the Master System version. As you can see in the video.
I just ordered one of these two days ago, and I’m glad to see you have favorable first impressions. I only want to play snes/gba and below, and I love the vertical design/form factor, so I think I’m gonna enjoy it. I already have an rg300 that I love, but it’s underpowered, and I have an rg350m, which obviously runs great, but I don’t like the weight of it or its horizontal design. I’m hoping this 280v will be the best of both systems for me.
So I want one of these as well but tell me how did it fare? Do you like it? Is it worth it? I only want to play gb, gba, snes and maybe some arcade games. I like the looks of it.
@@arey256 it’s an awesome little device, and it plays gba/snes games perfectly. It is a little small, though, which is great for portability but a little cramped for long gaming sessions, especially if you have adult-sized hands. Now that the 351v is out, I would get that instead, personally. It’s got a similar but better form factor, and it is more powerful. Also, my 280v did have a defect (a white line of dead pixels running down the left edge of the screen), and Anbernic was surprisingly unhelpful with the issue. Otherwise it still works and looks great, though, and given Anbernic’s usual level of quality, I think I just got unlucky with mine.
@@arey256 I haven’t heard of that one, I’ll have to check it out. I think I’m probably good with the handhelds I have, though. Like you, I mostly just play the gba/snes stuff, and the 280v has that covered.
@@rsiv5156 sounds good. I want to get one but I’m not sure which one to get at the same time I’m not tech savvy so I would prefer if they were just pick up and play. Lol
@@RetroDodo They dislike you because theyre a bunch of snobs on the retro handheld gaming discord and they point out every and any mistake you make. Sorry I want the truth out there.
Best quality. Their chips are still outdated and weak. Hopefully they step it up next yr tho. Waiting for another handheld with hdmi out that isn't as clunky as the Retroid Pocket 2
I really wish you'd find out some of the harder to emulate games and see how they work. Akumajo Densetsu (Castlevania 3 with a special chip) or Summer Carnival 92 Recca for Famicom, Star Fox or the intro to Final Fantasy 3 for Super NES, Gunstar Heroes for Genesis/Mega Drive, etc. Games that really put a strain on the original hardware. Show us how good the emulation is instead of using Super Mario Bros DX, Super Mario Bros 3, and a Game Gear Sonic game (described as Genesis/Mega Drive).
Mine should be here real soon, I can't wait lool. The screen is impressive, must be the thin outer border. Your camera is out of this world and it gets up close and personal with the device🔥. Great content as always👍
That’s exactly what I was just saying. I think this 280v is about the closest thing to that right now. There is also a new powkiddy vertical unit with good specs (the rgb90), but I don’t like the aesthetics of it at all.
The RG280V is a interesting looking device. But I swore to myself to wait until Anbernic (or someone else) comes up with a handheld able to emulate PS2 titles. Until then I will keep using the RG350M.
Just a little tip but Game and Watch games look and play fantastically well on this device. Just choose your game and press select to make it full screen and it looks like this device was made specifically for it.
How well does it play the games that are more challenging to emulate? When I see these videos, they mostly show off the launch titles that don't push the original hardware that much. Like how well does it run Rhythm Tengoku (aka Rhythm Heaven) for the GBA? A lot of weaker devices struggle with audio(popping sounds) and timing(frame delays after button presses). I love the quality of the video though with great lighting. You really get a sense of the build quality of the device. It is quite thick though.
Hi Retro Dodo, great review of the cool Ambernic Handheld. A feedback to give to you, You pinned the Sonic in Sega Genesis Gameplay, but the Sonic in the video is the one of Game Gear if i am not wrong, right?
Honestly best review ever I’ve been looking for a honest straight forward review on this because all the others just talk about comparing the others just showing nonsense I just want to know what games it comes with it and what it’s offers
It's cute, but with the same internals as the original RG350 it's just overpriced. The RGB20 really hits the sweet spot with the power of the RK3326 and the button layout, along with the bigger screen. Great video as always Brandon!
Have you seen a size comparison between the two? The RG280V is about 30% smaller. There’s nothing pocketable about the RGB20, which I think is the RG280V’s most attractive qualities.
Awesome video as always. Think I'm gonna have to ask my other half for one of those anbernic ones for Christmas. Will be weird in a few years when we have hand helds with PS2 onwards and you'll be saying "it can't run Xbox series X very well but it's not bad" 🤣🤣🤣
Not sure why but as I get older my need to play older games (preferably 2d 8bit side scrollers, with slight vania aspects) has grown. I have a switch lite but even that doesn't satiate my appetite got the nostalgic consoles and games that I can't get on that system. I may have to pick this little guy up hopefully it's worth it.
Is the amount of over hang from the face buttons or small form factor top heavy when holding or uncomfortable/cramped in anyway? Something this pocketable would be a good option for outings if the size isn't too much of a compromise
I am debating on getting this, or the 351P. I already have a Switch that can emulate and play amazing games, so I just want something niche that I can bring to my work washroom without carrying a giant system in my pocket.
When I enter the emulators and choose an emulator I can no longer see the list of games and select a game that starts. Only folders open and I can't start any games! What have I unintentionally changed, how can I get back to playing?
I ORDERED MINE FROM THE LINK IN THE DESCRIPTION AND IT DIDNT COME WITH THE MICRO SD CARD WITH GAMES :( im just seriously confused if it was supposed to come with it or not. I was really expecting it to and got my hopes up.
Hello i just bought the rg280v with preinstalled games, do you recommend to switch out the cards to better quality cards. And also is it just to drag and drop to the new cards. I would really appreciate your help thanks.
Hey retro dodo, the games that you’re playing on it come installed in the console or how are you playing those games there? Looking to buy a small one for my first time
My rg280v came with a screen that is protruding out on one side a little bit.... I'm afraid to take it back because I saw that allt of people who took there device back appearantly were not able to get there money back even when they complained.
Hey question for anyone who can help. I bought the gamekiddy 350h last year and I have like 300 plus games on it all emulators work great but i could never get the ps1 games to boot up. The roms all came from the same source. Do i need to compress the file or is there something I'm missing. Also Retro dodo if I upgraded my system bought one of this years models will I run into the same problem or should they boot up? Thank you
i went with the rg280v. I hope they make a larger, more powerful version in their next gen line up. give us a good 4-5" screen. I would pay for it tbh. Gotta wait 6 weeks for mine to come in but idc I want it! lol
Why would you install a N64 emulator on this device if it can't run N64 games well? Anyway, I own this device and it's really nice. It improves with a nice frontend as Simplemenu though.
@@tdo7125 For psx, you have several options. My personal recommendations would be rg350 and rg351. For n64, it's harder. Rg350 can't run n64 well at all while rg351 can run some games well while others run terribly. If you really really want to emulate n64, I would recommend two or even three. As cheaper options (less than 100€) with good n64 emulation but not the entire catalog, Retroid Pocket 2 or Powkiddy x15. As more expensive options (more than 200€) with very good n64 emulation I would recommend GPD XD+ or Moqi i7s.
manually drag/drop or copy game files to the "TF2/EXT" sd card with your pc into their proper system (NES/SNES/etc) folder, then put the SD card back into the unit
