Man, your reviews are getting better and better - great job! I too have noticed the screen sharpening, initially I copped it up to just the low pixel density but yeah I think they are doing something within the root settings. Hopefully as we get future options (like Black Seraph's LineageOS) we'll see some optimizations there. A huge bummer about your buttons, I worry that grease won't be enough with that sticking issue, you may have to sand down the edges of the buttons like I had to do with my early Retroid Pocket 2+ unit.
Thanks my dude! There was a fix for the sharpening posted on the retro handhelds discord today, I'm gonna give that a go, and I'll try the grease before I resort to sanding the buttons (it arrived this morning so worth a shot). Thanks for the suggestion!
I was a newb and had a vita laying around, I decided to have a go at hacking it. I followed your tips to the tee and it worked a treat. I now have an rp3 and am enjoying retro gaming a LOT! Props to you sir.
In case you haven't already: Installing Gamma OS on this device gets rid of the oversharpening issue and will improve both performance in GC and PS2 AND battery life, along with a bunch of other nice additions.
It’s amazing how that’s a universal experience. Playing super Mario rpg eating Oreos while your dad is in the back burying his territorial rival. Good times.
I was watching a review video uploaded on amazon because I wanted to see if they had the button sticking issue. The guy titled his review "FAULTY!" and launches an emulator, which says "no folder is set" as in you have to point it to the ROM folder. He removes the SD card, re inserts it, then does the same process. Launches emulator and it says "no folder is set" then he gives up. lol. These are the people who buy these devices. Not even 2 braincells rubbing together upstairs.
Your Introductionary Stories got me each time. My coffee went all over the place when the Power of 618 Tigers showed up. You're such a... Dweeb! Don't ever change that. ❤
The only gripe i have (pretty minor, but puts me on the fence of getting it), is that the left analog is above the dpad. A 4:3 ratio screen is the perfect screen size for true retro titles, which also means dpad controls. So i wouldve preferred the dpad on top as the main, more comfortable placement taking that spot.
@@TechDweeb Yeah, i get that. Just that for my own purpose, i wanted ones for PS1, NES, SNES, and GBA, and I think a dpad top would serve better for that purpose. Hopefully they do a swap in a variant model maybe? haha wishful thinking, but hey, it's free to make wishes :D
Editing Skills are stepping up! B roll is clean and easy on the eyes. Your humor always gets me, dead dogs and all. Between you and Retro GC, I can get a solid idea of exactly what I’m looking for. I truly hope you enjoy making all these tech/handheld videos, don’t want you to get burnt out on all the tech always coming out. Side note: I’ve been curious about all the art in your videos. Do you do it yourself? Or do you have an artist that you go to?
I think I’m gonna stick with my miyoo mini plus until a system like this comes out that can handle GameCube and PS2 more comfortably. They’ve definitely come a long way in just the last year or two so I’m sure we’ll get one soon enough that can. This one looks sweet though. Thanks for the review!
It'll be YEARS until we can get one that can play PS2 and GC at 2x MINIMUM without any hiccups. What also stinks is that the Android version of Dolphin is nowhere near as optimized as the PC version. I bought a SnapDragon 888 phone for the sole purpose of seeing how it handles GameCube, and it did pretty darn well, except that it couldn't handle any widescreen cheats. And even then, it would crash sometimes without them..
@3godzilla3 this is the precise argument I have against devices outside of the miyoo mini/mini plus and rg35xx camp. I dont want to end up with several half baked solutions for GameCube, ps2 and above, fiddling with their settings only to reach compromise after compromise for a measly speed bump and still not hit 60fps. Just save up the money for a steamdeck or better yet a gpd win 4. I Hate having several devices at home collect dust anyways. It's the old adage of quality vs quantity argument for the least amount for your buck. Nb : garlic aand miyoo's Onion OS gameswitcher really spoiled me btw and I despise dealing with gaming under Linux having to configure and setup my own front-end. It's time consuming and clunky
Hoping for a video covering the RP3+ OTA update performance improvements. Gamecube & PS2 apparently got a decent boost, bringing the RP Flip & RP3+ to performance patity.
Were it not for the RP3+ and button issue here, this would be the best option, IMO. Same chipset. Catch here is the 4:3 content is only 6% smaller on the RP3+, but 16X9 games are 40% larger. Added: Actually more than that. PSP and Wii is tiny on the 405.
I'm looking at this device and thinking about where portable emulation was 3-4 years ago vs today. Man, things have certainly changed. In three or four years I wonder if we will be playing our PS3 games in a RG35XX size device that can easily slip into a pocket.
@@TechDweeb sadly yes. So far mines fine. Only had it for 2 days now and love it way more than my 35xx because of daijisho and having more power. Definitely gonna keep an eye on my screen tho. Apparently if u contact support they'll send a new screen that's already attached to the frame to replace it but that still requires you to do the teardown.
Dude, loving the evolution of your channel quality. Superb work mate! Glad you pointed out the sharpening. It seems to be common on Anbernic devices. It really frustrates me!
I did fix the sharpening via a patch from the Retro Handhelds discord, and the buttons are WAY better after doing the dielectric grease. If you get one I highly suggest doing the grease right away before the edges of your buttons get scratched up even more than they come out of the box. After these easy fixes it feels like the device it should have been.
Aliexpress has their summer sale starting tomorrow. So im rewatching a ton of reviews on the 405M and RG556. I cant decide. The metal shells on Anbernics are SO nice but i already have a 351M, but its my fave device and i want a bit more power. On the other hand the 556 is the kind of device that could make me feel like life is beautiful again. I dunno. I just dunno.
Is there ever too much handhelds Techdweeb? For the record, I still sit 4 inches from the TV because I need the ashtray. Congrats on hitting 20k!!! You earned it.
I don't think there is, natively. You'd have to use a display capture device. That's what I use when I record my gameplay, I record the HDMI stream on a capture PC. You can also use a dedicated screen capture device like the ClonerAlliance Box Pro.
Do you have a best "ultra cheap" handheld video? Like the $10 handhelds you see? Like maybe a vid about $50 and under. Stocking stuffer consoles for xmas
It's similar to the 505. It has the same processor, just this one is metal. And it's smaller. Here's how their naming works: RG = Retro Game FIRST 2 NUMBERS = Size of screen (so '405' is a 4.0" screen, "353" is a 3.5" screen, etc). 3RD NUMBER = generation of processor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). The T618 is a 5th gen processor. FINAL LETTER = V (vertical), M (metal), P (horizontal), S (budget), X (out of ideas) So the RG353VS means that it's going to be a 3.5" screen with a rk3566 processor, vertical, and the budget version. Hope this helps!
man seriously top notch stuff you are crazy informative. preciate ya helping me shop these. been shopping for like a month going thru your channel and still haven't decided on one 😅
There is! The fix for the screen is to flash Gamma OS on the device (you can find tutorials online), and the fix for the buttons is to rub a little bit of dielectric grease around the edge of them and wiggle them around to get the grease down into the button groove. Both of those are all the fixes I needed to make it 100% perfect!
How does the screen fare in the outside daylight? From what I gather, it’s noticeably darker than other screens, even cheaper devices like the RG35xx and 353v.
Finally a 4:3 handheld with this chipset. Ill stick with RP3+ as widescreen hacks have come so far but this is great for anyone who really hates widescreen.
It looks cool but I promised myself to stop buying those cheap handhelds I’m going to wait for the ROG….I did end up getting the 2tb plug in play you reviewed a month ago (red cassette).
I wouldn't call it cheap persay but it's more like a really good "budget" handled only for retro gaming. I love these little handhelds because I love retro gaming. You could easily get a steam deck and play everything but I like this option since I already have a pc and I'm always home when not at work.
@@anthonym6119 I have to kind of agree with that statement. The cheaper ones don't seem to last very long at all you're right. However, I purchased the rg353v last year and it's still going strong. It's made in China but just about everything is these days.
Did they update where the buttons get scratched? Not that it matters in the long run but just curious if they resolve issues in later batches of these devices?
One last question? Is it safe to charge it on a powerbank? I have an Anker Powercore+ 26800 PD, I haven't used it to charge my 405 or miyoo mini, but would like to.
The handheld is great but those buttons can be big issue if not done correctly some controllers buttons sounds are too loud and making the device very uncomfortable because you will be Disturbing people with the loud sound
Great review, this console seems more powerful than I thought! .I wonder why you prefer android devices over linux. In my case the android devices i own seem quite slow and glitchy.
It's more about the customizability and the flexibility. I like being able to choose from a ton of launchers, and do other stuff like youtube and android games etc.
i ordered one and i love how it feels. it's so heavy and just feels premium. But the screen just doesn't do it for me. colors feel lifeless and look..cheap(?) . whenever i play with it, i put it down in a few minutes cause it's just not immersive. would you say the retroid pocket 3+ has better colors? i know they're both ips so it's probably not a huge difference but maybe it's just enough!. i'd get the rg505 if it wasn't for the bad ergonomics :(
If you haven't tried Gamma OS then I highly recommend it. Gamma fixes the oversharpening and makes the screen look WAY better. I don't have a video of how to install it but check out RGC's guide if you're interested (th-cam.com/video/BD0ab1gr4gM/w-d-xo.html). With Gamma I'd say that the screen here is on par with the RP3+.
@@TechDweeb are the colors and contrast on gamma os better too? compared to the regular 405m. cause i dont see a problem with oversharpening. maybe they fixed it by now. what i dont like are the weak colors and contrast :(
Peace and blessings TechDweeb. Saw this handheld on Amazon and found and watched this video on your channel. Question for you. Do you still recommend the RG405M even though you have little complaints about the buttons?
Hey buddy, Since there is no hdmi on this device, is there actually a way to play this on a tv screen? If so, how? Please tell us, as i would really love to buy this but only if i can also play it on the big screen
@@TechDweeb now I'm gonna put them on my $500 Allen edmonds wing tip dress shoes and make everyone furious. I really want a grownup propeller beanie, too.
Yes actually I fired it up and played for a few mins (I didn't film it though). It worked the same as it did on the RP3+ (it worked, a little bit of slowdown occasionally, but still totally playable).
Yes, but the earbuds I had experienced a delay, so they weren't good for gaming. Not sure if that's just mine or earbuds in general though (mine also do it with my phone).
@@TechDweeb I am using MMJR 2 and I can't get to the per game menu. If I swipe down in a game like is shown all I get is the Android settings menu (wifi, screen orientation etc). What am I doing wrong?
Thanks for sharing this video, have you tried installing gamma OS on your RG405M? It is a great device. I was considering in buying one but already have an old PS Vita that I modded to play retro games. Obviously it will not play Dreamcast and some of the higher end consoles, but there is so much content already available to keep me busy, so I decided to hold off from buying this.
Bro great video tech dweeb keep doing what you are doing🤙i have a question I asked you this before 😅 but do you know the best emulator to play Sega model 2 arcade games And sega model 3 arcade games
Thanks buddy! Do you mean the best emulation console? Like, android box? or handheld? I'm not sure to be honest, I've barely touched those systems. I think any console that gives good dreamcast performance will work well for those, that's my guess. Of course they'll work fine on PC as well.
@@TechDweeb Dude thanks for the feedback man I really appreciate it because those are classics. virtual fighter 2 and last Bronx Are great games, and the model 2 arcade was the greatest version to play compared to the sega saturn release. But thanks a lot you're freaking legend !!!!!! Keep posting those great videos and I'll keep in mined dreamcast quality hard for pc 🤙
It's a great system and right now I'm using the Vita 3K emulator and I'm playing The Legend of Heroes trails in the sky SC Vita Evolution English translation it might not play every PS Vita game right now but it plays a good bit including a good bit of 3DS and Playstation 2 RPG games
I bought the RG405M as a replacement for my RG350M because I do like being able to play Dreamcast, etc. I do wish there was a Linux custom firmware to make setting things up easier, because I'm not a tinkerer. The Anbernic front end is smoking hot garbage, which probably explains why the device gets so warm. And the heat generated from the higher-end systems is my only real knock on the device. It won't burn your hands, but it's definitely noticeable and pretty unpleasant. I didn't experience the button issues, fortunately. I also use the RG280V as my pocketable system, the RG552 as my default go-to device on lower-end systems, and the RG505 as my default go-to device for higher-end systems and especially Nintendo DS for the excellent touch screen. The RG405M rides that nice middle ground, but it's also my go-to device if I want to take it with me when I get my oil change or go to the doctor and I want a larger screen than the RG280V. I don't put anything other than the RG280V in my pockets, but I consider the RG350M and RG405M portable in the way I would carry a book or tablet. The RG505 and RG552 are simply too large for that.
Good rundown. I agree. With the death of the Miyoo Mini the RG280v is currently the most pocketable you can buy right now. I hope Anbernic does an updated tiny device.
They're very different devices. If the pocket factor is important to you then go for this. If widescreen gaming is important then go for the flip or the RP3+. They're all great devices and you'll be happy with whichever you choose tbh.
Ambernic are really good personally have 351p know not as powerful as this one tops out at n64 n psp and tbh struggles with higher end psp n N64 but fine for me still
I had one of these as well and loved it...aside from one thing. It was too small and made my hands cramp up. I sold it and just bought an RP3+. That one will def be good for me for a long time. Honestly pixel games are more my thing w/ retro consoles... but the ability to do GC and PS2 is kinda cool. (Ill still spend more time with TurboGrafx, NES, SNES, Neo Geo ect.
I wish I could buy a handheld from you that was set up with all the best games. I bought a retroid 2 plus a year ago and realized I don't know to get emulators and games so frustrating when you live in pain and have no life and nothing else to do. I have played all my PS4 RPGs one too many times. I hear the new retroid 3 has a preloaded card you get for it is this true? Please help me. I just want to buy a gaming console already
I'm not personally into the flip. I think it's big, bulky, lots of wasted space on the controller side, and it doesn't really look that comfortable. It has some plus sides though. I didn't order one but I'm curious to see what all the other reviewers say about it.
I went with the flip as my first retro handheld. The analog triggers and active cooling did it for me. Ive watched and read a few reviews that say the rp3+ and 405m get hot after playing the 3D systems for a bit I was a little on the fence about the hinge at first but saw another reviewer snap the stops and completely abuse the hinge and it was still fine.
According to the RP3+ community spreadsheet it's 'playable' "Turn on fast settings. EE Cycle Rate 0, EE Cycle Skip -2. Prologue ran great, battles run great, overworld ran pretty much at full speed. All of this runs well at 1.25x but the cutscenes do have some genuinely annoying slowdown here and there (there are quite a lot of cutscenes) but its not super constant and the problem is more-so the lipsyncing being really off. However the cutscenes are skippable and they are still decently enjoyable but may be distracting to some." You'll get the same performance here as the RP3+.
Looks cool but I’m good with a rg353vs until anbernic or miyoo make something that can handle up to ps3. If I could do it over, woulda got the rg353ps.
Man, your reviews are getting better and better - great job! I too have noticed the screen sharpening, initially I copped it up to just the low pixel density but yeah I think they are doing something within the root settings. Hopefully as we get future options (like Black Seraph's LineageOS) we'll see some optimizations there. A huge bummer about your buttons, I worry that grease won't be enough with that sticking issue, you may have to sand down the edges of the buttons like I had to do with my early Retroid Pocket 2+ unit.
Thanks my dude! There was a fix for the sharpening posted on the retro handhelds discord today, I'm gonna give that a go, and I'll try the grease before I resort to sanding the buttons (it arrived this morning so worth a shot). Thanks for the suggestion!
I was a newb and had a vita laying around, I decided to have a go at hacking it. I followed your tips to the tee and it worked a treat.
I now have an rp3 and am enjoying retro gaming a LOT!
Props to you sir.
@@TechDweebGreat review! Are you able to remove that sharpening?
Cool comment, both you guys are great and really fun youtubers! Always a pleasure to watch your videos!
"It's named that because it has the computing power of 618 tigers." Subbed
In case you haven't already: Installing Gamma OS on this device gets rid of the oversharpening issue and will improve both performance in GC and PS2 AND battery life, along with a bunch of other nice additions.
It’s amazing how that’s a universal experience. Playing super Mario rpg eating Oreos while your dad is in the back burying his territorial rival. Good times.
🐕⚰
Did you really have to blow up a city to end the video?
I was watching a review video uploaded on amazon because I wanted to see if they had the button sticking issue. The guy titled his review "FAULTY!" and launches an emulator, which says "no folder is set" as in you have to point it to the ROM folder. He removes the SD card, re inserts it, then does the same process. Launches emulator and it says "no folder is set" then he gives up. lol. These are the people who buy these devices. Not even 2 braincells rubbing together upstairs.
Your Introductionary Stories got me each time. My coffee went all over the place when the Power of 618 Tigers showed up. You're such a... Dweeb! Don't ever change that. ❤
Thanks buddy ☕
Usually when buttons get stuck like that I use alcohol wipes and rub it on the buttons while also pressing the buttons up and down that helps for me
Replacing the stock firmware with Gamma OS fixes the oversharpening issue :)
The only gripe i have (pretty minor, but puts me on the fence of getting it), is that the left analog is above the dpad.
A 4:3 ratio screen is the perfect screen size for true retro titles, which also means dpad controls. So i wouldve preferred the dpad on top as the main, more comfortable placement taking that spot.
True, but that also means it lends itself well to dreamcast, N64, and ps1, so it has its plus side as well
@@TechDweeb Yeah, i get that. Just that for my own purpose, i wanted ones for PS1, NES, SNES, and GBA, and I think a dpad top would serve better for that purpose.
Hopefully they do a swap in a variant model maybe? haha wishful thinking, but hey, it's free to make wishes :D
100%
Shame about the sticking buttons, I had the same problem on mine. Ended up using some keyboard switch lubricant on it and that cleared it right up.
My dude, thanks I need this on my redtriod pocket 2+
Editing Skills are stepping up! B roll is clean and easy on the eyes. Your humor always gets me, dead dogs and all. Between you and Retro GC, I can get a solid idea of exactly what I’m looking for. I truly hope you enjoy making all these tech/handheld videos, don’t want you to get burnt out on all the tech always coming out.
Side note: I’ve been curious about all the art in your videos. Do you do it yourself? Or do you have an artist that you go to?
Thanks buddy! Don't worry, I'm not gonna burn out any time soon. I'm loving this video making hobby :)
Yup, I do all the art myself!
a year from now, when anbernic makes a metal ps2/ngc handheld. it’s gonna be amazing
Agreed.
I think I’m gonna stick with my miyoo mini plus until a system like this comes out that can handle GameCube and PS2 more comfortably. They’ve definitely come a long way in just the last year or two so I’m sure we’ll get one soon enough that can. This one looks sweet though. Thanks for the review!
It'll be YEARS until we can get one that can play PS2 and GC at 2x MINIMUM without any hiccups. What also stinks is that the Android version of Dolphin is nowhere near as optimized as the PC version. I bought a SnapDragon 888 phone for the sole purpose of seeing how it handles GameCube, and it did pretty darn well, except that it couldn't handle any widescreen cheats. And even then, it would crash sometimes without them..
@3godzilla3 this is the precise argument I have against devices outside of the miyoo mini/mini plus and rg35xx camp.
I dont want to end up with several half baked solutions for GameCube, ps2 and above, fiddling with their settings only to reach compromise after compromise for a measly speed bump and still not hit 60fps.
Just save up the money for a steamdeck or better yet a gpd win 4.
I Hate having several devices at home collect dust anyways. It's the old adage of quality vs quantity argument for the least amount for your buck.
Nb : garlic aand miyoo's Onion OS gameswitcher really spoiled me btw and I despise dealing with gaming under Linux having to configure and setup my own front-end. It's time consuming and clunky
I'm still on the fence about the rg405m, the custom rom scene needs to mature for it to even get me to fork out some cash for it
@@3godzilla3 Ayaneo Air Pocket may fit.
Pimax portal
can you make a video on how to set up that front end :)
Hoping for a video covering the RP3+ OTA update performance improvements. Gamecube & PS2 apparently got a decent boost, bringing the RP Flip & RP3+ to performance patity.
Oh baby, this device blows the RG405 out the water, with its crap build quality, unbelievable that this costs way more then the RP3+.
If by decent boost, you mean 2-5 fps boost.
@@kyos2000 most games are capped at 29.99 anyways
always wanted one of these! I got me a miyoo mini after finding your channel, I think I am falling in love with retro handhelds.
Android customization is work, but in the end I argue you unlock WAY more functionality. Android native app access is great.
Thanks for the review, i wish a video comparing all the visible areas of the displays on differents handhelds. Thanks again
I didn't know about the problem with the buttons. I will take an extra care now. Thanks.
Were it not for the RP3+ and button issue here, this would be the best option, IMO. Same chipset. Catch here is the 4:3 content is only 6% smaller on the RP3+, but 16X9 games are 40% larger. Added: Actually more than that. PSP and Wii is tiny on the 405.
what about the thumb stick placement? wouldnt that have a big influence on which one you prefer.as well?
@@hawshimagical I can more easily adjust to that than a tiny display for PSP games. I play a lot of those. If only 4:3 content, different story.
I'm looking at this device and thinking about where portable emulation was 3-4 years ago vs today. Man, things have certainly changed. In three or four years I wonder if we will be playing our PS3 games in a RG35XX size device that can easily slip into a pocket.
I wonder the same thing. It's all moving so fast.
Im surprised ppl arent talking about the screens popping out. Theres been alot of posts about it on reddit. Has me scared mines gonna do the same.
Yeesh. Didn't know about that. There's always something huh?
@@TechDweeb sadly yes. So far mines fine. Only had it for 2 days now and love it way more than my 35xx because of daijisho and having more power. Definitely gonna keep an eye on my screen tho. Apparently if u contact support they'll send a new screen that's already attached to the frame to replace it but that still requires you to do the teardown.
I need to lie in bed with head to toe handhelds like a comforter.
Dude, loving the evolution of your channel quality. Superb work mate! Glad you pointed out the sharpening. It seems to be common on Anbernic devices. It really frustrates me!
Thanks! There's a fix for the sharpening (posted on the Retro Handhelds discord). I might make a vid about it.
@@TechDweeb excellent. That would be really useful. Hope you don't mind me referring to your vid in my upcoming review?
I watched Superbad the other day, you sound so much like McLovin :) Great review McLovin
I have been eyeing this one. Metal Shell, Hall sticks, T618... looks good. It's a MINI & Premium RP3+
I did fix the sharpening via a patch from the Retro Handhelds discord, and the buttons are WAY better after doing the dielectric grease. If you get one I highly suggest doing the grease right away before the edges of your buttons get scratched up even more than they come out of the box. After these easy fixes it feels like the device it should have been.
Is that an RP3 in your pocket? Or are you just happy to see me?
Amblernick is a fantastic company. I just ordered this Amblernick, but also the 505 and the Nano Amblernicks.
Aliexpress has their summer sale starting tomorrow. So im rewatching a ton of reviews on the 405M and RG556. I cant decide. The metal shells on Anbernics are SO nice but i already have a 351M, but its my fave device and i want a bit more power. On the other hand the 556 is the kind of device that could make me feel like life is beautiful again. I dunno. I just dunno.
Is there ever too much handhelds Techdweeb? For the record, I still sit 4 inches from the TV because I need the ashtray. Congrats on hitting 20k!!! You earned it.
Thanks JD 😘
Kiss the dweeb he's waiting lol 😂😂
Hey, they released an update for this today. It doesn't specify what it fixes though.
Eerie timing, dude - just opened your video, paused it after 30 seconds to go make coffee and the door rang with my RG405M that I've been waiting for.
Fate brought us together.
I would like to ask you about a way to record the screen when playing the Batocera system
I don't think there is, natively. You'd have to use a display capture device. That's what I use when I record my gameplay, I record the HDMI stream on a capture PC. You can also use a dedicated screen capture device like the ClonerAlliance Box Pro.
Do you have a best "ultra cheap" handheld video? Like the $10 handhelds you see? Like maybe a vid about $50 and under. Stocking stuffer consoles for xmas
I feel like the button sticking would be easy to fix if they rounded the edges around the buttons, so there's no sharp edge to scrape against
That grease I showed in the video fixed it for me.
I'm dying to hear your thoughts on Nreal Air glasses and the flipper zero. When will you review?
I'd love to! I reached out to the Nreal company about getting a review unit, I'll make a video if they will send me one.
@@TechDweeb cool. Love your channel
So is this what you could call Anbernics flagship? Is it more powerful than the 505? Their modelnumbers makes my head spin.
It's similar to the 505. It has the same processor, just this one is metal. And it's smaller. Here's how their naming works:
RG = Retro Game
FIRST 2 NUMBERS = Size of screen (so '405' is a 4.0" screen, "353" is a 3.5" screen, etc).
3RD NUMBER = generation of processor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). The T618 is a 5th gen processor.
FINAL LETTER = V (vertical), M (metal), P (horizontal), S (budget), X (out of ideas)
So the RG353VS means that it's going to be a 3.5" screen with a rk3566 processor, vertical, and the budget version.
Hope this helps!
man seriously top notch stuff you are crazy informative. preciate ya helping me shop these. been shopping for like a month going thru your channel and still haven't decided on one 😅
Nice, glad I could provide some useful info (amidst the goofballing!)
When theres a fix for the screen and buttons I'm nabbing me one of these for sure. Great review!
There is! The fix for the screen is to flash Gamma OS on the device (you can find tutorials online), and the fix for the buttons is to rub a little bit of dielectric grease around the edge of them and wiggle them around to get the grease down into the button groove. Both of those are all the fixes I needed to make it 100% perfect!
Oh hey my reddit post showing the button wear lol. Still having the issue but I'm thinking about greasing the buttons soon.
Haha small world! I got the grease today, wish me luck.
How do you think the Anbernic will compare to the RP3+ with the firmware update?
Good question. I intend to do some testing on that and I'll make a video if I discover anything interesting.
20k subscribers and has better content than channels with many times the subs. Where's the justice?!? (edited because I can't math any longer)
Thanks buddy. Justice will be served! (I hope...)
How does the screen fare in the outside daylight? From what I gather, it’s noticeably darker than other screens, even cheaper devices like the RG35xx and 353v.
Yeah it's a bit dimmer. It's not the brightest screen. Not as good for daylight. The RG35XX is a champ when it comes to daylight play.
Great review! I just sent back the Rg530 it was much too complicated for me. Hoping this is a little simpler for me
Finally a 4:3 handheld with this chipset. Ill stick with RP3+ as widescreen hacks have come so far but this is great for anyone who really hates widescreen.
I personally would rather play most 4:3 games at their original ratio. Lots of jankyness in some games when you widescreen hack them.
What the hell ever happened to Dunkeroos?
It looks cool but I promised myself to stop buying those cheap handhelds I’m going to wait for the ROG….I did end up getting the 2tb plug in play you reviewed a month ago (red cassette).
Yeah I'm kinda with ya on the Ally, it's got enough going for it that it's worth waiting to see how well it does.
I wouldn't call it cheap persay but it's more like a really good "budget" handled only for retro gaming. I love these little handhelds because I love retro gaming. You could easily get a steam deck and play everything but I like this option since I already have a pc and I'm always home when not at work.
@@juniorelizondo4144 I was buying these before the SD they don’t last long
@@anthonym6119 I have to kind of agree with that statement. The cheaper ones don't seem to last very long at all you're right. However, I purchased the rg353v last year and it's still going strong. It's made in China but just about everything is these days.
@@juniorelizondo4144 that’s why I’m getting the ally instead of the aya neo I rather deal with a bigger company if the system has issues
Did they update where the buttons get scratched? Not that it matters in the long run but just curious if they resolve issues in later batches of these devices?
Your videos are super entertaining by the way.
I like the drawing on the bag 😁😁
I look forward to the device that does every 4x3 system brilliantly. How long will it take for that to arrive, do you think?
There are lots of them. The steam deck certainly does. It's just a matter of getting them small and cheap enough.
@@TechDweeb Yeah, cash money's the deciding factor there. I'm holding out for a Miyoo Mini sized super computer for less that £100. 😌
If this handled ps2 and GameCube better this would be my ideal portable handheld. A little more power with that pocketability is a dream.
For some reason the rg505 keeps calling my name, it's gotta be that oled screen..
I don't blame you. It looks awesome.
@@TechDweeb i just might cave
One last question? Is it safe to charge it on a powerbank? I have an Anker Powercore+ 26800 PD, I haven't used it to charge my 405 or miyoo mini, but would like to.
Yup!
I just want a small handheld to play N64 games on with no lag. Is this the one for me?
It is that!
@@TechDweeb Great. Thankyou.
The handheld is great but those buttons can be big issue if not done correctly some controllers buttons sounds are too loud and making the device very uncomfortable because you will be Disturbing people with the loud sound
You had me at Nuclear Strike.
I been wanting another horizontal for a long time now so im going to take a chance on this device. Wish me luck.
🤞Hope you love it
@@TechDweeb ordered it off litnxt a few days ago. Still waiting to hear back.
Great review, this console seems more powerful than I thought! .I wonder why you prefer android devices over linux. In my case the android devices i own seem quite slow and glitchy.
It's more about the customizability and the flexibility. I like being able to choose from a ton of launchers, and do other stuff like youtube and android games etc.
i ordered one and i love how it feels. it's so heavy and just feels premium. But the screen just doesn't do it for me. colors feel lifeless and look..cheap(?) . whenever i play with it, i put it down in a few minutes cause it's just not immersive. would you say the retroid pocket 3+ has better colors? i know they're both ips so it's probably not a huge difference but maybe it's just enough!.
i'd get the rg505 if it wasn't for the bad ergonomics :(
If you haven't tried Gamma OS then I highly recommend it. Gamma fixes the oversharpening and makes the screen look WAY better. I don't have a video of how to install it but check out RGC's guide if you're interested (th-cam.com/video/BD0ab1gr4gM/w-d-xo.html). With Gamma I'd say that the screen here is on par with the RP3+.
@@TechDweeb are the colors and contrast on gamma os better too? compared to the regular 405m. cause i dont see a problem with oversharpening. maybe they fixed it by now. what i dont like are the weak colors and contrast :(
Apparently it's to do with the OS (screen sharpening), Chroma OS fixes it.
another victory for anbernic
Wish the rubber on back was black and not grey.
Peace and blessings TechDweeb. Saw this handheld on Amazon and found and watched this video on your channel. Question for you. Do you still recommend the RG405M even though you have little complaints about the buttons?
Mmm how do you add all those apps I’m stuck on adding games I have same console
Hey buddy, Since there is no hdmi on this device, is there actually a way to play this on a tv screen? If so, how? Please tell us, as i would really love to buy this but only if i can also play it on the big screen
Nope. This one isn't good for TV screen playing. Go for the retroid products if you want console-mode.
Jokes on you, i just discovered elastic laces for my tennis shoes.
Proud of you my child.
@@TechDweeb now I'm gonna put them on my $500 Allen edmonds wing tip dress shoes and make everyone furious.
I really want a grownup propeller beanie, too.
Did you try playing Bully on this device?
Yes actually I fired it up and played for a few mins (I didn't film it though). It worked the same as it did on the RP3+ (it worked, a little bit of slowdown occasionally, but still totally playable).
Anyone know how to reset the device? I set up a pattern lock and revisited after a few months of no use and forgot the pattern 😅
You'll need to 'unbrick' the device using this method: th-cam.com/video/XKKzShK7JAY/w-d-xo.html
Thank you, been searching for a while and this looks promising.
Can you delete the games easy, especially the ps2 games that might struggle.
Can you delete them using the handheld or only using your laptop
Yup, you can delete them. And you can delete them on the device itself, through the file browser.
Will USB C earbubs work on these? Was thinking about getting some wired earbuds for this, and it would be nice if they worked on my phone too.
Yes, but the earbuds I had experienced a delay, so they weren't good for gaming. Not sure if that's just mine or earbuds in general though (mine also do it with my phone).
@TechDweeb Ok, thanks. Maybe i should research if any have less delay. I only have bluetooth headphones these days.
I was mad they took away the micro hdmi port :)
I agree!
How do you compare it to RG Cube? Cube can run ps2 games but at 1:1 its ruined for me
How did you get GC Metroid running smooth? I tried it and it was so slow as to be unplayable.
MMJR dolphin build, and follow this settings guide: th-cam.com/video/D0dGx-vTCpI/w-d-xo.html
@@TechDweeb I am using MMJR 2 and I can't get to the per game menu. If I swipe down in a game like is shown all I get is the Android settings menu (wifi, screen orientation etc). What am I doing wrong?
I really do prefer this console size and design above all others i just wish it was as powerful as a retroid pocket 4 pro
Thanks for sharing this video, have you tried installing gamma OS on your RG405M? It is a great device. I was considering in buying one but already have an old PS Vita that I modded to play retro games. Obviously it will not play Dreamcast and some of the higher end consoles, but there is so much content already available to keep me busy, so I decided to hold off from buying this.
Im not gonna get any more handhelds until the processor is good enough to play ps2 perfect and it comes standard
Odin 2 looks like a good contender.
Bro great video tech dweeb keep doing what you are doing🤙i have a question I asked you this before 😅 but do you know the best emulator to play Sega model 2 arcade games And sega model 3 arcade games
Thanks buddy! Do you mean the best emulation console? Like, android box? or handheld? I'm not sure to be honest, I've barely touched those systems. I think any console that gives good dreamcast performance will work well for those, that's my guess. Of course they'll work fine on PC as well.
@@TechDweeb Dude thanks for the feedback man I really appreciate it because those are classics. virtual fighter 2 and last Bronx Are great games, and the model 2 arcade was the greatest version to play compared to the sega saturn release. But thanks a lot you're freaking legend !!!!!! Keep posting those great videos and I'll keep in mined dreamcast quality hard for pc 🤙
It's a great system and right now I'm using the Vita 3K emulator and I'm playing The Legend of Heroes trails in the sky SC Vita Evolution English translation it might not play every PS Vita game right now but it plays a good bit including a good bit of 3DS and Playstation 2 RPG games
something tells me they don't play all the games well enough to play on these emualtors
How’d you get the google play store??
I bought the RG405M as a replacement for my RG350M because I do like being able to play Dreamcast, etc. I do wish there was a Linux custom firmware to make setting things up easier, because I'm not a tinkerer. The Anbernic front end is smoking hot garbage, which probably explains why the device gets so warm. And the heat generated from the higher-end systems is my only real knock on the device. It won't burn your hands, but it's definitely noticeable and pretty unpleasant. I didn't experience the button issues, fortunately. I also use the RG280V as my pocketable system, the RG552 as my default go-to device on lower-end systems, and the RG505 as my default go-to device for higher-end systems and especially Nintendo DS for the excellent touch screen. The RG405M rides that nice middle ground, but it's also my go-to device if I want to take it with me when I get my oil change or go to the doctor and I want a larger screen than the RG280V. I don't put anything other than the RG280V in my pockets, but I consider the RG350M and RG405M portable in the way I would carry a book or tablet. The RG505 and RG552 are simply too large for that.
Good rundown. I agree. With the death of the Miyoo Mini the RG280v is currently the most pocketable you can buy right now. I hope Anbernic does an updated tiny device.
I'm really torn betweem this and the flip. I really like the screen on this, and dont really need psp.
They're very different devices. If the pocket factor is important to you then go for this. If widescreen gaming is important then go for the flip or the RP3+. They're all great devices and you'll be happy with whichever you choose tbh.
@TechDweeb Thanks. I ordered the 405m. Definitely going to interested in that sharpening fix.
Ahhh..c'mon! Another one of them dag blang handhelds?👾❤️
Ambernic are really good personally have 351p know not as powerful as this one tops out at n64 n psp and tbh struggles with higher end psp n N64 but fine for me still
I had one of these as well and loved it...aside from one thing. It was too small and made my hands cramp up. I sold it and just bought an RP3+. That one will def be good for me for a long time. Honestly pixel games are more my thing w/ retro consoles... but the ability to do GC and PS2 is kinda cool. (Ill still spend more time with TurboGrafx, NES, SNES, Neo Geo ect.
I wish I could buy a handheld from you that was set up with all the best games. I bought a retroid 2 plus a year ago and realized I don't know to get emulators and games so frustrating when you live in pain and have no life and nothing else to do. I have played all my PS4 RPGs one too many times. I hear the new retroid 3 has a preloaded card you get for it is this true? Please help me. I just want to buy a gaming console already
What handheld would you recommend besides this in that $200-250 range?
>add 50$ more
>get a base Odin 2
>be set for you retro handheld needs
Bro sounds like he is so congested 😂😂😂
im thinking he puts a peg on his nose as a sort of 'voice scrambler'
Can the ROM's be used on other systems.
Yup
This can play ps2 and GameCube games???
Luckily the new Gamma OS removes the sharpening
There was a small community-made sharpening fix, but it's nice that gamma has it integrated. I might give gamma a whirl!
@@TechDweeb It also has the triggers fixed for game streaming and native android games. Worth a try.
I dont know wat to buy 405m or retroid pocket flip
Don't buy the Flip! It's hinge and missing buttons are a no-go.
I'm not personally into the flip. I think it's big, bulky, lots of wasted space on the controller side, and it doesn't really look that comfortable. It has some plus sides though. I didn't order one but I'm curious to see what all the other reviewers say about it.
I went with the flip as my first retro handheld. The analog triggers and active cooling did it for me. Ive watched and read a few reviews that say the rp3+ and 405m get hot after playing the 3D systems for a bit
I was a little on the fence about the hinge at first but saw another reviewer snap the stops and completely abuse the hinge and it was still fine.
Def jam ?
But can it run xenosaga on ps2?
According to the RP3+ community spreadsheet it's 'playable'
"Turn on fast settings. EE Cycle Rate 0, EE Cycle Skip -2.
Prologue ran great, battles run great, overworld ran pretty much at full speed. All of this runs well at 1.25x but the cutscenes do have some genuinely annoying slowdown here and there (there are quite a lot of cutscenes) but its not super constant and the problem is more-so the lipsyncing being really off. However the cutscenes are skippable and they are still decently enjoyable but may be distracting to some."
You'll get the same performance here as the RP3+.
@@TechDweeb dang! I’m ready for the day Retroid comes out with a device that can play it seemlessly with no configuring!
Looks cool but I’m good with a rg353vs until anbernic or miyoo make something that can handle up to ps3. If I could do it over, woulda got the rg353ps.
CAN IT PLAY PS2 GAMES?
About 60% play great, 20% play with tweaks, and 30% are unplayable.
What’s the better.. Rg405m or Rg505 🤓🤓
405m, in my opinion.
@@TechDweeb thanks 🙏
The child within me agrees.
HELL OF A MACHINE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE MARKET 2024👍👍👍👍👍
Waiting for garlic OS before I buy, confirmed by black seraph