The latest generation of Anbernic consoles, powered by the Allwinner H700 SOC, comes packed with a range of features that really shine when paired with additional devices and custom firmware. Here’s a closer look at some of the standout features of the Anbernic RG35xx Series.
1. Wireless Data Transfer
Thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi module, you can download games to your console wirelessly. By connecting via SFTP or SMB protocol, you can transfer data from your computer. However, this method only works for games; firmware deployment over the air isn’t possible, as it’s stored on the memory card.
2. Gamepad/Joystick Connection
You can connect wired gamepads or joysticks to the Anbernic RG35xx Series consoles using Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless technology. If you’re using a wired connection or a radio channel, you’ll need an OTG adapter from Type-C to USB. You can connect up to four gamepads, with the console itself acting as the fifth controller. This feature turns your handheld console into a home gaming station, perfect for multiplayer sessions.
3. Stick Replacement
The absence of sticks in the RG35XX Plus and RG35XXSP models means playing PSP or Dreamcast games, which require a left stick, is not possible. However, both the official and modified firmware include mapping options that allow you to duplicate stick actions to the D-pad. It’s easy to activate—just start the game where the stick isn’t working and press the power button.
4. Game Streaming from PC
The stock firmware and some custom versions support Moonlight, a feature that lets you stream games from your PC to the console. While the console’s power and display aren’t suited for high-end AAA games, it’s still a great option for enjoying simpler indie titles.
5. Media Applications
The Anbernic RG35xx Series comes with various media apps, including an audio player, video player, e-book reader, and online radio. Some of these apps work straight out of the box, though online radio is currently only available through a workaround using Portmaster.
6. Bluetooth Headphones
One downside of the official firmware is the lack of Bluetooth Audio support. But don’t give up on your console just yet—custom firmware like Knulli does support wireless TWS headphones. While the implementation is still in its early stages, there’s hope that Bluetooth Audio support will eventually be added to the official firmware.
7. PC Game Ports
PortMaster is a software environment that allows you to run ported Linux games from your PC on the console. Initially, PortMaster was available on the custom muOS firmware and later on Knulli (formerly Batocera) and the official firmware. As of this writing, there are 580 game ports available, many of which are PC games not found on other retro platforms.
8. TV Connection
All consoles in the RG35xx Series have a Mini-HDMI port that allows you to connect to a TV and display the console’s output in HD resolution. If the screen size isn’t enough for you, or if you prefer playing on a couch, you just need a Mini-HDMI to HDMI adapter to connect the console to your TV. The console will automatically detect the connection and display the image on the TV screen, with game controls still handled by the console—no gamepad required.