The Anbernic RG35xx Series launched on November 25, 2023, marking the debut of this new line of consoles. Initially, only one version of the official firmware (OFW) was available, version 20231108. However, the combination of a consumer-friendly pricing strategy and a wide selection of models quickly led to the RG35xx becoming a popular choice among gamers. This popularity naturally attracted a community of developers, resulting in the creation of various custom firmware options like Batocera, Knulli, muOS, minUI, and of course, the modified official firmware.
Today, we’re focusing on the so-called “modded official firmware,” exploring who developed it, what it offers, and how it differs from the standard official version.
The Developer Behind the Mod
While digging through the firmware files, I repeatedly came across the name “Made by G.R.H” but couldn’t figure out who that was. With the release of the modified firmware, everything clicked: G.R.H, also known as cbepx-me, is the developer behind this mod. You can find their work on GitHub and Baidu:
According to their earliest posts on GitHub, this developer was involved in hacking the PS4 back in 2020, but they began working on the modified RG35xx firmware in January of this year. As recent events suggest, the modder appears to have direct ties to Anbernic. But let’s not get sidetracked—let’s dive into what this modded firmware is all about.
First Steps
The first version of the mod, v1.1, was released on January 23, 2024. This version introduced features like power LED control and backup options for settings and system data. These features are still available in the APPS menu. By version 1.2, support for SSH with root/root login credentials, MPV file playback, and a key feature—automatic partition expansion—had been added.
It’s worth mentioning that the official firmware still lacks the ability to automatically mount the game partition. When you flash the firmware onto any card, it automatically limits the game partition to 4 GB, leaving the rest of the space unused. The modified firmware, however, automatically mounts the remaining partition, allowing you to fully utilize your device with a single memory card.
Key Features Over Time
Starting with version 1.3, the mod included internet time synchronization, the ability to restore corrupted Retroarch.cfg files, cheat support in PPSSPP, and the option to update firmware without re-flashing the console. Version 1.4 added a new prboom core, along with two additional apps—Random ROM and Logo. While version 1.5 mainly fixed bugs, it also added support for 17 new emulators, including Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Intellivision, and more.
Version 1.6 was relatively simple, introducing a new app in the APPS menu that enabled a random game button across all emulators. Then, the firmware jumped straight to version 2.0, introducing the “RA TurboKey” option and several script changes. Version 2.1 brought a significant number of new features:
- A game guide accessible via a dedicated button.
- The ability to back up game saves.
- A “Switch_font_size” function that increases the system font size.
Version 2.2 introduced quick setup options at first boot, and version 2.3 added a theme manager for better console customization. The latest versions have seen less activity, but mod-stock 2.4 received a new Retroarch 1.18.0, while version 2.5 introduced the “Auto_load_save” option, allowing the console to load the last played game after powering off. Version 2.6 focused on adapting the firmware to a new 64-bit system. The current latest version, 2.7, includes a feature for switching the d-pad using the power button in ports.
Main Differences Between Official and Modified Firmware
The most significant difference is the automatic expansion of the game partition, a feature not available in the official firmware. Beyond that, the modded firmware enhances the console with additional emulators, features like a theme manager, SSH, and the ability to back up settings and game saves directly on the console. Perhaps most importantly, all these updates can be applied without re-flashing the console. Typically, the developer provides an additional update file that you can load onto your memory card and simply reboot the console to apply.