I got one of these recently and have been having a blast with it! Your videos convinced me to pull the trigger, helped me get it set up, and now I'm still learning even more from you. Thanks a lot for your great videos. You deserve way more subs.
@@RetroGameCorps hey I know you might not see this but I hope you do my question is you said in the video the chip in the system would be outdated by the end of the year if that’s true should I not buy this console and instead consider something else?
@@Luke-bo9ev the chip has definitely been eclipsed by other devices but it’s still a solid gameplay experience. It’s just no longer the most powerful option out there, but it’s still a great little device
@@RetroGameCorps oh very much so, I’m interested in buying one of these fine devices, and it was helpful to know what some of the settings do. Here’s to your next video that definitely won’t be a pain in the butt to record
@@RetroGameCorps your videos are inspirational, and you obviously know what you’re talking about. I suppose the more you create your content, the easier it becomes and less of a pain
That shader tip just blew my mind. All the games look just how I want them now, can't believe it took me this long to fix it! Russ, you are doing the Lord's work and we love you for it.
I like how the wood grain ones are all kind of unique. Every one I’ve seen so far is different. Yours has heavier grain around the D-pad and buttons, while mine has a big knot right above the start and select.
My one arrived two weeks ago, and I just loaded up the final version of 351Elec on it yesterday. (Much thanks yet again to this great channel for the simple guides!) It's the best thing I have ever purchased. I've fallen in love with my retro games all over again. If you're a retro gamer from the NES / GB era... seriously, you HAVE to get this device.
for me the best handheld to date!!! i just love this little gadget so much :) the handling is just perfect. the display is also a stunner! up to and including PSX, everything runs perfectly and without any problems. Especially things like SNES , GBA , GB , GBC , FBN , MAME , Mega Drive look just sexy and razor sharp with a filter! But what I love most is the Vertical form factor! I also have horizontal handhelds, but to be honest, I'm nowhere near as happy with them as I am with the RG351V!!! I can really recommend this thing to everyone! Greez
ha! i've been watching and rewatching everyones including your vids on this beautiful device as i'm waiting impatiently for mine to arrive! nice wan for making another video!!!!
Recently found your channel and i must say, your art of explanation is from another world (in a good way). I really love listening to your videos even tho i cant afford one of these devices. Keep up the good work :)
I just found out about these little guys, and was researching a bit. Thanks to your review, I just pulled the trigger and got my RG351V, really super awesome deep dive, going into all the pros and cons. Awesome work! I can't wait for mine to arrive!
I bought mine on Amazon just last week and got it yesterday and have been absolutely in love with it, I installed a custom firmware that gives it a new game browser and front end, emulation is pretty flawless up to PS1. One big huge plus in my book is the screen, the resolution fits the older games so perfectly and has that authentic nostalgic feel too it because of the pixel size. its 1:1 scaling on the pixels so you arent interpolating or blending pixels. the screen immediately brings me back to the god ol days of gameboy color and the GBA. Form factor is fantastic, its easily portable too. I literally have no complaints, Just a FYI though, if you buy one get 2 micro SD cards, One for the operating system and one for your roms. It has 2 micro SD card slots for this reason.
Yep, same here. Always the chance to discover some tidbit of info I overlooked. Still really happy with the 351v. ONLY gripes the "problems" with DS games.. Not the lack of power, but the very different input nature of some games that really cannot be emulated correctly. But I got an old DSi for 14 bucks and so.. :D
Great video! I was on the fence on this one and finally pulled the trigger last night on the rg351m. Got the silver one on Amazon for 148 which I know is steep but wanted the wifi and I'm sure paid a premium for it to be delivered tomorrow. I'm really excited and after these videos, I think it's the best device you can buy
This video was just in time! I ordered mine this afternoon. I liked the wood finish but opted for gray since I saw some variation in grain and wanted to play it safe. Plus it's easier to mod to look more like the OG gameboy :)
I like how you called out the JNCO jeans wearers, knowing full well a lot of your audience was around in the 90s and might have worn them. Thanks for the laugh!
Anbernic makes such great devices! In a market filled with cheap junk, their handhelds are very well built and perform incredibly. I have a 351p, and couldn't be happier with it. I may one day pick up this one as well in the wood grain.
I got one of these and it's a truly impressive piece of hardware. I actually got a RG280V originally as my first emulation handheld since I got a Caanoo way back in the day, and that Caanoo struggled to play SNES games, had some awkward control nub, and a proprietary charging cable. Coming from that I was so impressed with the build quality and performance of the RG280V that I ended up seeking out something a bit more sophisticated. I got the RG280V originally with the intention of using it purely for GBA games, and it really excels at that thanks to it's 3:2 screen and small form factor, but when I was messing around with it I started playing some of the PS1 games and I was so impressed by how well they played on that I wanted to get something more designed around playing them. The RG351V is just amazing for me in terms of it's PS1 performance. The 280 could play PS1 games but I wouldn't say the performance was 100% perfect, more like 90%, very playable but there was still some slowdown and minor issues here and there that could be detected. With the 351 the PS1 performance feels 100% on point, all the games seem to play flawlessly. That and having an analog stick is a big difference maker when playing some of the later, more sophisticated PS1 games. The 4:3 screen is perfect for them as well. In fact the 4:3 screen is why I bought the 351V over the 351P and M which have a 3:2 screen. I would have liked to have had a second analog stick but I think the classic Game Boy design of the V is very appealing and I can understand the need for it's design. It's the only one with the updated hardware and a 4:3 screen, and it works well, and that is what matters.
Hi, man! Good night. Pretty informative your experience. Do you play any Megaman X saga? Id like to know if this form factor it's good to enjoy this type of games. Thanks in advance.
I want to thank you directly for making this video and others like it. So many of these emulator/clone system reviewers are not my cup of tea but I took a chance on your video and I’m glad I did. I had seen these at my local video game store a while back but dismissed them as cheap knockoffs. Then my long awaited Analogue Pocket was delivered… And nowhere to be seen. Whether misdelivered or stolen it is gone and I will likely never have a chance to replace it. So while I began the process of getting myself reimbursed I started looking into alternatives and just happened to find this very video. Thanks for saving Christmas for me
Great video. I've been waffling on this ever since I saw your impressions video and this review sold me on it and I ordered one. Thanks for all the in depth info!
For your complaint about swapping out the L1/R1 buttons with L2/R2, you can do that on the software side (Controller config). For SNES, I make L1/L2 buttons both register an L input, for example.
I already have the grey but I'd buy 2 atomic purple ones if they made it. This design is just way too sweet. It just seamlessly combines everything we like about modern and classic era handhelds.
I subscribed because of this vid. Most people don't do comparisons to other devices at the end of the video. It's good to know, because I was thinking of getting a Miyoo and saw the wood finish version of this one and it's lead me down a big rabbit hole I didn't expect.
Im actually really glad i found this vid ... I picked one of these up because of a TikTok vid and would have never known about the secrets you're spilling!!! Great vid.
I have the smokey 351v for a week now with 351 elec reborn on it and its amazing. And I watched all your videos about it, so great! I do want to say that I did have some frame drops with superfx based games on SNES. But besides that I fully agree with the review. Oh and you didn't mention the bad battery status reporting. I've seen a lot of people having issues with that, me included. If you just set the battery status to icon you probably won't notice it but the status can be all over the place. According to the 351elec developer this is a hardware problem (battery status readout). The battery life is fine though. And the 3.5inch connector does output stereo if you don't like the mono speaker.
8:17 or you can just switch the R2 and L2 to R1 and L1 then change R1 and L1 to R2 and L2 when set up your controller, wasn't that more easy than use default control profile ? I mean the beauty of this emulation console is you can remap the button the way you like unlike real console where they always strict with sometime not uncomfortable mapping (I am talking about you Nintendo)
Haven’t bought one yet but you sold me on it. Really great channel and excellent website too. You put a lot of love and time into this. Thank you. :) thumbs up and also new sub. :)
I just wish their screens were better quality - first unit had dead pixel (as can anything I guess), second has faint vertical lines on pale backgrounds which apparently is normal. How are screens not perfect at this point? Like for anything.
Totally agree J Will. I returned the 351M for the V because of the screen. I would love this V screen in a horizontal form factor without having to buy a less capable 350. Anbernic would still have to solve the LCD light bleeding that happens on the left side of the screen for the horizontal devices tho...
I fully agree . This is the best device and the BEST purchase i have made . the RG351V is quality build and shows what a game company can do with great community support. I am getting the black for myself and i had gotten the grey for my son.. and this device has Rumble guys.
You should be able to comfortably read anything on SNES and below no problem, but PS1 and above can get a little squinty, since TVs were getting bigger around that time and they were fitting more text into games.
Fair and impartial review Russ, I'm just gonna stick with the 351P. In a few months we will have the X18s and there are stories of Anbernic releasing the RG552 with a new chipset by the end of the year.
I don't like vertical devices. My hands get a bit numb after some gaming time. And I agree with you the grey one is the one that looked better when I first saw them, but man it's boring and dull. They could have added some colour or some personality to it. But the wood one...oh my I find it hideous. Great video as always
I’m surprised that no one mentioned the awkward arrangement of the shoulder buttons with the raised one being the primary L1 and R1. Glad you confirmed my suspicion. What a shame. Perhaps we can do button remapping through retro arch to overcome this? Good detailed review Russ!
I bought one of these and I adore it. There are even some mame, snes, and gba games that don’t run flawlessly on it, but it’s still the best retro handheld out there. I can play street fighter alpha 3 flawlessly on what’s basically a game boy, and the novelty of that is off the charts.
@ Retro Game Corps Dude im a HUGE fan, thank you so much for your setup guides & your channel reviews on retro gaming, wanted to let you know your awesome keep it up 👍🤙 "Happy Gaming" 😁
I've absolutely loved mine!! Playing through Minish Cap, which is one of my all time favorites and leaving my copy mint in box while I get to relive the memory is awesome :D I finally beat the mario tennis games lol as a kid those were tough for me lol and the DS runs really nicely for me :D I been playing Phoenix Wright as well! :D
As an owner of the wooden RG351V for a few months now, I had an urge to get another and opted for the Gameboy gray version instead of the see-through black one because to me it felt a little bit more nostalgic. I don't mind the color of the buttons either because it's a little more subtle.
You should talk about Lakka as an OS, there’s a stable 3.0 release for it. It doesn’t do n64 or psp well but it does a great job with just about everything ps1 and older. It boots in 12 seconds and cuts out all the fluff of the emulationstation based OSes. I set it to RGUI for the simplest experience possible and load playlists for every system, fees like having an everdrive.
That prescale interpolation shader I use on home consoles works well with this one if you want a clean image. I personally use the Scale2x shader (in the scalenx folder) for GBA though.
About to pull the trigger on my first retro handheld, and your videos have helped a lot! it was this or the 351p. The better screen and retro look was the winner for me, although i do like the portability the P offers. i just couldnt justify paying that much more for the recent MP version that came out a little too late.
I got severely screwed ordering mine. Ordered it with a 128GB micro SD card for $130, which is a good deal. 2 months later it never showed. Ebay wouldn't help because the seller took the money & closed their shop. Was really looking forward to it but alas I'll never get it
I always recommend to buy it from Amazon, the seller I always buy from ships from the US and always comes with an additional sd card, right now you could buy a 351v with a 64gb sd card for 120$ and buy a separate 128gb sd card for 20$ and it’d be delivered by the end of the week
@@tilghman123 MJKJ, never had a problem, they answered any questions I had before and after ordering and if they do sell out of something they always restock pretty fast
I watch your videos even if im not planning on buying the device. I own the RG351p because of you and your input and have come to terms that that is my start and ending point with these devices until they make one that can play GC, PS2, and up with these type of level retroish types of device. I do have a Vita aswell so value your input when you did your video on that system. Your vids are not only instructional/reviewish but your voice is a delight to listen to. I also have 3ds, DS light, GBAsp, which have a jail broken cartridge and wonder if you’ll do any videos on those older devices. Since there’s not much more retro then the actual retro systems them selves. I would like to see some more videos if possible on Ports, and mainly the ones that are currently available. Still cant get AVP working with the controller side of things and it be helpful to have more on others aswell. Other then Doom or Quake which work for most part. But id like some on AM2R
Thanks for this. Just wondering, how do crt shaders run on this? I know most of them are very heavy but I wonder if any of them runs smoothly and how do they look. Thanks
I was about to order 351v but you made a good point about underwhelming experience when playing vertically. I love vertical shmups so I think the 351m might be a better choice.
A regular evening at Jake’s apt. Jake: “yessss Retro Game Corps has a new video!!!” Gf: rolls eyes. Seriously man these vids are so helpful and fun to watch. I own a 351V and i love it. My plan to institute Sharp Bilineal 2x Prescale shading on all my non integer scaled consoles is going swimmingly so far tonight. One thing that’s worth mentioning is the fact that not only does the V have better resolution and a better aspect ratio for retro gaming, it’s also free of that left-side LCD bleed through that annoyed me about the P/M models. But so far the P/M models - at least with regard to 351Elec - are the only ones with access to the Retrorun/Flycast emulator for Dreamcast tho. I’m hoping that changes soon.
I have been watching these videos for a long time, as an rg351p user... and I recently picked up the rg351v. I wanted the vertical form factor, and I only had a couple fears about the switch... all coming directly from the feedback from RetroGameCorps.. I was nervous it would be too big.. and that the fit in my hands would be bad. Now that I actually have it.. I gotta say.. I disagree with a lot of the feedback about the size and feel. It doesn't feel big to me (it is somewhere between a DMG and game boy color in size) and the fit in my hand is great. Not uncomfortable, and the reach for the L and R buttons isn't weird for me. So for sure... this is a thing that will be different for everybody. My input is that if you are looking for a vertical form factor that feels like a game boy pocket, but are nervous about any feedback you have heard.. I am in love with this thing. I got the wood finish, and it is my #1 console now. Its insanely beautiful and fun to play. Highly recommend.
i really like that you said the other emulations are a bonus, like psp, n64 and so on. Honestly, i still have to find decent emulators for these systems that run on a 5ghz PC, yet on a risc chip. I think the most prominent feature of the 351 is the design. clearly an original gameboy lookalike with added buttons for the new consoles it can emulate. even the speaker is on the exact same position. Thats what makes it great to me. I always wanted a gameboy, but in my childhood it was just too expensive for my parents, therefore i now bought this one, and i am really glad i did.
Kind of a curiosity how the "Press Start" screens on the F-Zero example @17:40 were moving at different speeds. I wonder what caused that, if it was performance differences between the devices' firmwares, or something else.
I just opened it via RetroArch on my computer monitor and it is orange, although a little cooler than what is shown on the RG351V (but only by a hair).
Only complaint I have on these is the shoulder buttons. I have smaller hands and the triggers are STILL awkward to press. Consider remapping them in any game that extensively requires them.
Needs to be horizontal format with a second analog stick. If it's a retro emulation device then it needs the second stick for PS1. The shoulder buttons would be better if it was sloped upwards instead of how it is now. It would be more natural to rest you index finger on and easier to press both buttons at the same time. Ergonomics is a real issue with the the v. The RG351P has the shoulders buttons further away from front facing buttons so your hand is in a more natural position when you hold the device. What they should have done with the V is moved the rear L and R buttons slightly towards the top of the device so that your fingers aren't so cramped when you hold the device.
I got one of these recently and have been having a blast with it! Your videos convinced me to pull the trigger, helped me get it set up, and now I'm still learning even more from you. Thanks a lot for your great videos. You deserve way more subs.
Thank you!
Yeah? I just watched this video and I'm just as confused as ever. Considering the RG351V and M, but also a GPI case with the upcoming Radxa Zero SBC.
@@RetroGameCorps hey I know you might not see this but I hope you do my question is you said in the video the chip in the system would be outdated by the end of the year if that’s true should I not buy this console and instead consider something else?
@@Luke-bo9ev the chip has definitely been eclipsed by other devices but it’s still a solid gameplay experience. It’s just no longer the most powerful option out there, but it’s still a great little device
@@RetroGameCorps is it the best choice if it’s my first emulation device also thanks a lot for responding
I really appreciate the d-pad comparison between other consoles and controllers! Great stuff!
Oh my god, thank you for explaining the different video/graphics settings, that’s very much appreciated
I’m glad to hear it was helpful, because it was a pain in the butt to record 😎😂
@@RetroGameCorps oh very much so, I’m interested in buying one of these fine devices, and it was helpful to know what some of the settings do. Here’s to your next video that definitely won’t be a pain in the butt to record
@@mysticalplatypus87 they’re all a pain in some way to record, but that’s also part of the fun 😻
@@RetroGameCorps your videos are inspirational, and you obviously know what you’re talking about. I suppose the more you create your content, the easier it becomes and less of a pain
That shader tip just blew my mind. All the games look just how I want them now, can't believe it took me this long to fix it! Russ, you are doing the Lord's work and we love you for it.
Prices getting higher now a days with china handhelds.
Only this proven that they also getting much better in every way.
Awesome video like always 👌
Wicked family! 😍
@@MCJeffsy Heeey buddy ! 😄🙌
This is a super complete and perfect review. This is how reviews should be made. Congratulations and keep it up!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I like how the wood grain ones are all kind of unique. Every one I’ve seen so far is different. Yours has heavier grain around the D-pad and buttons, while mine has a big knot right above the start and select.
Good point!
Wood grain... You mean that fake sticker 😅
@@gerboog seems not to be a sticker, but some kind of screen printing. It looks really good in person.
Looks to me like there hydro dipping them. Then giving them a satin clear coat. Which would explain why many look different.
@@gerboog It definitely isnt a sticker. It might be a wood/plastic composite.
My one arrived two weeks ago, and I just loaded up the final version of 351Elec on it yesterday. (Much thanks yet again to this great channel for the simple guides!)
It's the best thing I have ever purchased. I've fallen in love with my retro games all over again.
If you're a retro gamer from the NES / GB era... seriously, you HAVE to get this device.
for me the best handheld to date!!!
i just love this little gadget so much :)
the handling is just perfect. the display is also a stunner!
up to and including PSX, everything runs perfectly and without any problems. Especially things like SNES , GBA , GB , GBC , FBN , MAME , Mega Drive look just sexy and razor sharp with a filter!
But what I love most is the Vertical form factor! I also have horizontal handhelds, but to be honest, I'm nowhere near as happy with them as I am with the RG351V!!!
I can really recommend this thing to everyone!
Greez
ha! i've been watching and rewatching everyones including your vids on this beautiful device as i'm waiting impatiently for mine to arrive! nice wan for making another video!!!!
Yasss 😄 I detect another Irish fan. G'wan G'wan G'wan hack it
🇮🇪🍀 ☀️
"Yeah I wanna do it"
@@DragonDreamVNY yas boi!!!!!!!!!!
I respect the time, attention and dedication you put on your videos.
Recently found your channel and i must say, your art of explanation is from another world (in a good way). I really love listening to your videos even tho i cant afford one of these devices. Keep up the good work :)
Thanks so much!
That summary screen at the end looks so CLEAN, I love good composition.
I just found out about these little guys, and was researching a bit. Thanks to your review, I just pulled the trigger and got my RG351V, really super awesome deep dive, going into all the pros and cons. Awesome work! I can't wait for mine to arrive!
I bought mine on Amazon just last week and got it yesterday and have been absolutely in love with it, I installed a custom firmware that gives it a new game browser and front end, emulation is pretty flawless up to PS1. One big huge plus in my book is the screen, the resolution fits the older games so perfectly and has that authentic nostalgic feel too it because of the pixel size. its 1:1 scaling on the pixels so you arent interpolating or blending pixels. the screen immediately brings me back to the god ol days of gameboy color and the GBA.
Form factor is fantastic, its easily portable too. I literally have no complaints, Just a FYI though, if you buy one get 2 micro SD cards, One for the operating system and one for your roms. It has 2 micro SD card slots for this reason.
is it easy to install another firmware?
They should add some colorful cases to their lineup, inspired by the Gameboy color and advance
yeah.. Could easily spray paint it yourself tho!
Agreed
I'll watch it even if I already have it
Same here. He really make good videos.
Same
I'll watch it even if I'm happy with my 351M
Yep, same here. Always the chance to discover some tidbit of info I overlooked.
Still really happy with the 351v. ONLY gripes the "problems" with DS games.. Not the lack of power, but the very different input nature of some games that really cannot be emulated correctly.
But I got an old DSi for 14 bucks and so.. :D
How’s your experience with gbc and gba games?
Great video! I was on the fence on this one and finally pulled the trigger last night on the rg351m. Got the silver one on Amazon for 148 which I know is steep but wanted the wifi and I'm sure paid a premium for it to be delivered tomorrow. I'm really excited and after these videos, I think it's the best device you can buy
Amazon is sometimes worth it for the shipping and easy return process in case there’s an issue with the device! Enjoy!
This video was just in time! I ordered mine this afternoon. I liked the wood finish but opted for gray since I saw some variation in grain and wanted to play it safe. Plus it's easier to mod to look more like the OG gameboy :)
Nice review buddy this is still one of my favourites, I love the the gameboy style handhelds
Been waiting on this review! Keep up the good work man!
I like how you called out the JNCO jeans wearers, knowing full well a lot of your audience was around in the 90s and might have worn them. Thanks for the laugh!
I remember being at college and some people in town were wearing them things, gol! it's like wearing a pair of curtains round yur legs!
Anbernic makes such great devices! In a market filled with cheap junk, their handhelds are very well built and perform incredibly. I have a 351p, and couldn't be happier with it. I may one day pick up this one as well in the wood grain.
Love you bro! Thank you for making these videos! I never had the chance to play these games as a kid, but now I’m living my best life thanks to you!
Speaking of volume, press function and Dpad for volume up and down in games
I got one of these and it's a truly impressive piece of hardware. I actually got a RG280V originally as my first emulation handheld since I got a Caanoo way back in the day, and that Caanoo struggled to play SNES games, had some awkward control nub, and a proprietary charging cable. Coming from that I was so impressed with the build quality and performance of the RG280V that I ended up seeking out something a bit more sophisticated. I got the RG280V originally with the intention of using it purely for GBA games, and it really excels at that thanks to it's 3:2 screen and small form factor, but when I was messing around with it I started playing some of the PS1 games and I was so impressed by how well they played on that I wanted to get something more designed around playing them.
The RG351V is just amazing for me in terms of it's PS1 performance. The 280 could play PS1 games but I wouldn't say the performance was 100% perfect, more like 90%, very playable but there was still some slowdown and minor issues here and there that could be detected. With the 351 the PS1 performance feels 100% on point, all the games seem to play flawlessly. That and having an analog stick is a big difference maker when playing some of the later, more sophisticated PS1 games. The 4:3 screen is perfect for them as well. In fact the 4:3 screen is why I bought the 351V over the 351P and M which have a 3:2 screen. I would have liked to have had a second analog stick but I think the classic Game Boy design of the V is very appealing and I can understand the need for it's design. It's the only one with the updated hardware and a 4:3 screen, and it works well, and that is what matters.
Hi, man! Good night. Pretty informative your experience. Do you play any Megaman X saga? Id like to know if this form factor it's good to enjoy this type of games. Thanks in advance.
I want to thank you directly for making this video and others like it. So many of these emulator/clone system reviewers are not my cup of tea but I took a chance on your video and I’m glad I did. I had seen these at my local video game store a while back but dismissed them as cheap knockoffs. Then my long awaited Analogue Pocket was delivered… And nowhere to be seen. Whether misdelivered or stolen it is gone and I will likely never have a chance to replace it. So while I began the process of getting myself reimbursed I started looking into alternatives and just happened to find this very video. Thanks for saving Christmas for me
Great great great! Thank you for your work Russ! You made me get and review a 351V and I am so happy with it!
Great to hear!
Finally getting into retro handhelds and this will be my first, your channel was a huge help in deciding!
Thank you for the video!! A love my smoke black rg351v... It's perfect for my gb, gbc, gba, snes and ps1 games. I've been enjoying it a lot!
Does it come with Pokémon games?
Been looking for a retro handheld for a while now, your video helped me pull the trigger, thanks!
Great video. I've been waffling on this ever since I saw your impressions video and this review sold me on it and I ordered one. Thanks for all the in depth info!
Amazing review Russ as usual. keep up the awesome job man!
Excellent video, great to see someone producing such quality work.
I swapped the bindings of the shoulder buttons in RetroArch, so I can use the raised L2 R2 buttons as L R for gba. It works really well.
Great idea
Yeah he should have said thst because we did that too.
For your complaint about swapping out the L1/R1 buttons with L2/R2, you can do that on the software side (Controller config). For SNES, I make L1/L2 buttons both register an L input, for example.
I already have the grey but I'd buy 2 atomic purple ones if they made it. This design is just way too sweet. It just seamlessly combines everything we like about modern and classic era handhelds.
Yeah I would have loved to see a clear transparent so we could dye it various fun colors.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got mine 3 weeks ago and THANK YOU again for all these video's, now I watch and get tickled along the way. lol!
Thank you!
Genius guide! Watched it even without sound and is was very well understandable and informative. Good job!
I subscribed because of this vid. Most people don't do comparisons to other devices at the end of the video. It's good to know, because I was thinking of getting a Miyoo and saw the wood finish version of this one and it's lead me down a big rabbit hole I didn't expect.
Im actually really glad i found this vid ... I picked one of these up because of a TikTok vid and would have never known about the secrets you're spilling!!! Great vid.
I have the smokey 351v for a week now with 351 elec reborn on it and its amazing. And I watched all your videos about it, so great! I do want to say that I did have some frame drops with superfx based games on SNES. But besides that I fully agree with the review.
Oh and you didn't mention the bad battery status reporting. I've seen a lot of people having issues with that, me included. If you just set the battery status to icon you probably won't notice it but the status can be all over the place. According to the 351elec developer this is a hardware problem (battery status readout). The battery life is fine though.
And the 3.5inch connector does output stereo if you don't like the mono speaker.
Just bought one, can’t wait for it to get here, thanks for the awesome content!
Why didn't you get a retroid pocket 2 +?
8:17 or you can just switch the R2 and L2 to R1 and L1 then change R1 and L1 to R2 and L2 when set up your controller, wasn't that more easy than use default control profile ? I mean the beauty of this emulation console is you can remap the button the way you like unlike real console where they always strict with sometime not uncomfortable mapping (I am talking about you Nintendo)
Haven’t bought one yet but you sold me on it. Really great channel and excellent website too. You put a lot of love and time into this. Thank you. :) thumbs up and also new sub. :)
Great video review. I just ordered one on Amazon and hope I like it as much as you do.
For some reason i want to put an IKEA sticker on the woodgrain lol
Super tempted, but I got an M and think I'm going to wait for them to use the new RK chip that just came out.
I just wish their screens were better quality - first unit had dead pixel (as can anything I guess), second has faint vertical lines on pale backgrounds which apparently is normal. How are screens not perfect at this point? Like for anything.
Ok, now I'm convinced to not get one because I hate those errors
@@alinepiroutek8932 what are thinking of getting?
@@kevinjacobo8490 I don't understand the question
@@alinepiroutek8932 Lmao. Forgot to put “you” before “thinking” 😂😂
@@kevinjacobo8490 Now... I don't want any.
I wished 4 things:
Built-in wifi
Amoled screen
Nice buttons
Emulation from NES to SNES
Cheers Russ, great in depth review. I also like the wood grain, it just makes me smile. :)
That's the screen they should have put on the RG351M.
I'd rather have the vertical form factor
@@Wallriss
To each their own. It certainly has an awesome nostalgia factor, but I find the horizontal setup more comfortable.
Totally agree J Will. I returned the 351M for the V because of the screen. I would love this V screen in a horizontal form factor without having to buy a less capable 350. Anbernic would still have to solve the LCD light bleeding that happens on the left side of the screen for the horizontal devices tho...
That would make it perfect.
This is precisely why I got the RGB10 Max. 351M form factor with a bigger screen. I'm loving it so far.
I fully agree . This is the best device and the BEST purchase i have made . the RG351V is quality build and shows what a game company can do with great community support. I am getting the black for myself and i had gotten the grey for my son.. and this device has Rumble guys.
"Its almost impossible to see that difference"...damn my eyes
With great power comes great responsibility
I am waiting for the wood style one to arrive, I love the way it looks.
I'm thinking about getting an Anbernic RG351V. Is the 3.5" screen large enough to see the smaller text that is used for console games? Thanks!
You should be able to comfortably read anything on SNES and below no problem, but PS1 and above can get a little squinty, since TVs were getting bigger around that time and they were fitting more text into games.
Very helpful...Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I got mine for 85 usd. Came yesterday, so far loving it. Thank you for the review
Where?
@@peji911 Aliexpress www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002432889344.html I used a 2usd cupon on it, so it was only 81 USD+5 Shipping
Fair and impartial review Russ, I'm just gonna stick with the 351P. In a few months we will have the X18s and there are stories of Anbernic releasing the RG552 with a new chipset by the end of the year.
I don't like vertical devices. My hands get a bit numb after some gaming time. And I agree with you the grey one is the one that looked better when I first saw them, but man it's boring and dull. They could have added some colour or some personality to it. But the wood one...oh my I find it hideous. Great video as always
You must be a blast at parties
@@noobdungeon1590 What do you mean?
I’m surprised that no one mentioned the awkward arrangement of the shoulder buttons with the raised one being the primary L1 and R1. Glad you confirmed my suspicion. What a shame. Perhaps we can do button remapping through retro arch to overcome this? Good detailed review Russ!
You can definitely remap the buttons if you want.
This is not a issue at all, you can easily remap it the way you like.
I agree. I got both RG350M and RG351M. The screen on RG350M was so much better, I returned the RG351M.
I bought one of these and I adore it. There are even some mame, snes, and gba games that don’t run flawlessly on it, but it’s still the best retro handheld out there. I can play street fighter alpha 3 flawlessly on what’s basically a game boy, and the novelty of that is off the charts.
Can you save game progress to continue later?
I like how you snuck in that DOOM logo on the side @2:27 . Nice Easter egg haha.
@ Retro Game Corps Dude im a HUGE fan, thank you so much for your setup guides & your channel reviews on retro gaming, wanted to let you know your awesome keep it up 👍🤙
"Happy Gaming" 😁
I've absolutely loved mine!! Playing through Minish Cap, which is one of my all time favorites and leaving my copy mint in box while I get to relive the memory is awesome :D I finally beat the mario tennis games lol as a kid those were tough for me lol and the DS runs really nicely for me :D I been playing Phoenix Wright as well! :D
As an owner of the wooden RG351V for a few months now, I had an urge to get another and opted for the Gameboy gray version instead of the see-through black one because to me it felt a little bit more nostalgic. I don't mind the color of the buttons either because it's a little more subtle.
I'm playing GBC Scrabble as we speak on my Wood Grain RG351V! I still like this portrait handheld and think it's the best portrait handheld.
Man, you are a review machine!! Keep up the great work!!
You should talk about Lakka as an OS, there’s a stable 3.0 release for it. It doesn’t do n64 or psp well but it does a great job with just about everything ps1 and older. It boots in 12 seconds and cuts out all the fluff of the emulationstation based OSes. I set it to RGUI for the simplest experience possible and load playlists for every system, fees like having an everdrive.
great review, I may get this one been looking lately for a retro gaming handheld, this one looks great.
Excellent review. What shader/border setup do you recommend for GBA?
That prescale interpolation shader I use on home consoles works well with this one if you want a clean image. I personally use the Scale2x shader (in the scalenx folder) for GBA though.
About to pull the trigger on my first retro handheld, and your videos have helped a lot! it was this or the 351p. The better screen and retro look was the winner for me, although i do like the portability the P offers. i just couldnt justify paying that much more for the recent MP version that came out a little too late.
Finally, that looks like a great retro device even though I prefer horizontal design
This video was very much needed, thanks!
I got severely screwed ordering mine. Ordered it with a 128GB micro SD card for $130, which is a good deal. 2 months later it never showed. Ebay wouldn't help because the seller took the money & closed their shop. Was really looking forward to it but alas I'll never get it
I always recommend to buy it from Amazon, the seller I always buy from ships from the US and always comes with an additional sd card, right now you could buy a 351v with a 64gb sd card for 120$ and buy a separate 128gb sd card for 20$ and it’d be delivered by the end of the week
@@PatrickThomasBrady if you don't mind me asking, what seller is that on amazon? Thanks
That's awful! I though eBay has a good dispute Resolution, but I don't know. Any chance of a Chargeback à la Credit Card company or Paypal?
@@tilghman123 MJKJ, never had a problem, they answered any questions I had before and after ordering and if they do sell out of something they always restock pretty fast
@@PatrickThomasBrady Thanks bro, I'll be adding their items to my list and checking them out!
I watch your videos even if im not planning on buying the device. I own the RG351p because of you and your input and have come to terms that that is my start and ending point with these devices until they make one that can play GC, PS2, and up with these type of level retroish types of device. I do have a Vita aswell so value your input when you did your video on that system. Your vids are not only instructional/reviewish but your voice is a delight to listen to. I also have 3ds, DS light, GBAsp, which have a jail broken cartridge and wonder if you’ll do any videos on those older devices. Since there’s not much more retro then the actual retro systems them selves. I would like to see some more videos if possible on Ports, and mainly the ones that are currently available. Still cant get AVP working with the controller side of things and it be helpful to have more on others aswell. Other then Doom or Quake which work for most part. But id like some on AM2R
Thanks for this.
Just wondering, how do crt shaders run on this? I know most of them are very heavy but I wonder if any of them runs smoothly and how do they look. Thanks
Bro! You talking about Jnco jeans got me all nostalgic. Lol
Great review on this!
I have both the rg351p and rg351v. The rg351v is the king in my book
Another excellent video 👏👏👏
I really hope anbernic will make the screen better on rg351p like the rg351v screen.
I know I should've bought this one and not the rg351m. I want that 480p screen.
I was gonna get the RG35XX but this is $10 more and plays way more consoles so I'm getting this.
Is it worth it?
After watching all of Retro Game Corps's videos(twice) I think this is the one I'm gonna get as a gift for my buddy and probably for myself as well.
I was about to order 351v but you made a good point about underwhelming experience when playing vertically. I love vertical shmups so I think the 351m might be a better choice.
A regular evening at Jake’s apt. Jake: “yessss Retro Game Corps has a new video!!!” Gf: rolls eyes. Seriously man these vids are so helpful and fun to watch. I own a 351V and i love it. My plan to institute Sharp Bilineal 2x Prescale shading on all my non integer scaled consoles is going swimmingly so far tonight.
One thing that’s worth mentioning is the fact that not only does the V have better resolution and a better aspect ratio for retro gaming, it’s also free of that left-side LCD bleed through that annoyed me about the P/M models.
But so far the P/M models - at least with regard to 351Elec - are the only ones with access to the Retrorun/Flycast emulator for Dreamcast tho. I’m hoping that changes soon.
Is there a possibility to change the ram memory from 1GB to 2GB? I would love to see a video of this, love yours vidios!
I just got arc os on my wood grain one, but im struggling with the brightness i cant find the option
The analog stick can be pushed in and the R1 and L1 will adjust brightness up/down (351ELEC, not sure about ArkOS)
@@hugiee not on ArkOS apparently I just tried, thank you though!
Hold function button and press up and down on dpad to change brightness
@@spitfire579 thank you!
I have been watching these videos for a long time, as an rg351p user... and I recently picked up the rg351v. I wanted the vertical form factor, and I only had a couple fears about the switch... all coming directly from the feedback from RetroGameCorps.. I was nervous it would be too big.. and that the fit in my hands would be bad. Now that I actually have it.. I gotta say.. I disagree with a lot of the feedback about the size and feel. It doesn't feel big to me (it is somewhere between a DMG and game boy color in size) and the fit in my hand is great. Not uncomfortable, and the reach for the L and R buttons isn't weird for me. So for sure... this is a thing that will be different for everybody. My input is that if you are looking for a vertical form factor that feels like a game boy pocket, but are nervous about any feedback you have heard.. I am in love with this thing. I got the wood finish, and it is my #1 console now. Its insanely beautiful and fun to play. Highly recommend.
Happy to hear that it exceeded your expectations!
i really like that you said the other emulations are a bonus, like psp, n64 and so on. Honestly, i still have to find decent emulators for these systems that run on a 5ghz PC, yet on a risc chip.
I think the most prominent feature of the 351 is the design. clearly an original gameboy lookalike with added buttons for the new consoles it can emulate. even the speaker is on the exact same position. Thats what makes it great to me. I always wanted a gameboy, but in my childhood it was just too expensive for my parents, therefore i now bought this one, and i am really glad i did.
Great review! Just found your channel. Question, is there a way to lower the screen brightness?
Hi, you can change the brightness, although the method depends on the firmware. I use ArkOS for the most part, and it's F + up/down on the d-pad.
@@RetroGameCorps Great! Thanks for the reply!!
Was a clamshell design every made - like the GBA SP ?
Also when you say does not have stereo, does this include mono for headphones ?
8:20 you can just remap the buttons so that L2/R2 functions as L1/R1
Kind of a curiosity how the "Press Start" screens on the F-Zero example @17:40 were moving at different speeds. I wonder what caused that, if it was performance differences between the devices' firmwares, or something else.
Just ordered one of these! Wood grain! And oddly enough drinking some kombucha too!
Is there a way to change the MAME Arcade games so that they don’t look stretched? Thx
I’d like to know this too
18:07 The outline around the title is yellow on the 351P and orange on the 351V; which color should it be?
I just opened it via RetroArch on my computer monitor and it is orange, although a little cooler than what is shown on the RG351V (but only by a hair).
Your wood version seems to have a dead pixel in the lower left quarter of the screen.
Only complaint I have on these is the shoulder buttons. I have smaller hands and the triggers are STILL awkward to press. Consider remapping them in any game that extensively requires them.
Needs to be horizontal format with a second analog stick. If it's a retro emulation device then it needs the second stick for PS1. The shoulder buttons would be better if it was sloped upwards instead of how it is now. It would be more natural to rest you index finger on and easier to press both buttons at the same time. Ergonomics is a real issue with the the v. The RG351P has the shoulders buttons further away from front facing buttons so your hand is in a more natural position when you hold the device. What they should have done with the V is moved the rear L and R buttons slightly towards the top of the device so that your fingers aren't so cramped when you hold the device.