RG351P 3.7 Firmware Update – Improved PSP Performance!

Last updated 08NOV2020 (see Changelog for details)

If you a running the stock firmware that comes with the RG351P, or the updated 3.7 version that I recommend in my Firmware Guide, you’re in luck — Anbernic just released an update patch to this firmware that provides some serious improvement to PlayStation Portable (PSP) performance. It’s still far from perfect, but it definitely makes more games playable.

One nice thing about this update is that it doesn’t require you to reinstall any new firmware. In fact, all you have to do is replace a couple files on your SD card and you’re all set. No need for WiFi FTP, either!

Table of Contents:
What changes are in this update
Download the updated SYSTEM file
Install the SYSTEM file
PSP configuration tips
PSP games that perform well on the RG351P
Notes

Changelog

What changes are in this update

There are a few changes in this firmware update, but Anbernic didn’t tell anyone what they are. Luckily, someone was able to find the difference in the firmware images, which included changes to the PSP emulator and some updates to RetroArch. Here are the actual changes:

Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/bin/PPSSPPSDL and ./usr/bin/PPSSPPSDL differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/bin/retroarch and ./usr/bin/retroarch differ 
diff -rupN ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/cache/shadow ./usr/cache/shadow 
diff -rupN ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/libevdev.lai ./usr/lib/libevdev.lai 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/libevdev-names.o and ./usr/lib/libevdev-names.o differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/libevdev.o and ./usr/lib/libevdev.o differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/libevdev.so and ./usr/lib/libevdev.so differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/libevdev.so.2 and ./usr/lib/libevdev.so.2 differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/libevdev.so.2.3.0 and ./usr/lib/libevdev.so.2.3.0 differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/libevdev-uinput.o and ./usr/lib/libevdev-uinput.o differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/libgo2.so and ./usr/lib/libgo2.so differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/librga.so.2 and ./usr/lib/librga.so.2 differ 
Binary files ../../../3.7/target/SYSTEM.squashfs/usr/lib/librga.so.2.0.0 and ./usr/lib/librga.so.2.0.0 differ

Download the updated SYSTEM file

To get started, you need to download this zip file, which contains the updated SYSTEM files. It’s about 475MB, so it might take a while.

As this file downloads, let’s make a backup of your SYSTEM files just in case something goes wrong. Remove the SD card from your device, and plug it into your computer using an SD card reader. There should be two partitions that appear: EMUELEC and GAMES. Go into the EMUELEC folder and find the files named SYSTEM and SYSTEM.md5. Grab those files and drag them onto your computer for safe keeping.

Install the SYSTEM file

Installing this update couldn’t be easier. Unzip the update file; inside you should find files named SYSTEM, SYSTEM.md5, and SYSTEM.sha256. Next, on the EMUELEC partition of your SD card, delete the SYSTEM and SYSTEM.md5 files (also empty your trash/recycle bin to make sure you free up space on your SD card). Now just drag the new SYSTEM, SYSTEM.md5, and SYSTEM.sha256 files onto your SD card.

Plug the SD card back into your device and you’re ready to go.

PSP configuration tips

This firmware patch results in improved PSP performance, but it’s also a good idea to make sure your settings are configured for optimal performance. According to Anbernic, these settings will get you the best PSP performance. I also recommend that you tinker with the settings yourself to see if you find one that works better for you and your particular game(s).

To access the PSP menu, press L3 + R3 at the same time.

System settings:
Fast memory (unstable): YES
Ignore bad memory accesses: NO
I/O on thread (experimental): YES
I/O timing method: Fast
Force real clock sync: NO
Change emulated PSP's CPU clock: 333
Rewind snapshot frequency: OFF
Memory stick inserted: YES
PSP mode: PSP-1000

Graphics settings:
Backend: OpenGL
Mode: Buffered rendering
Simulate block transfer effects: YES
Software rendering: NO
Frame skipping: 1
Frame skipping type: Number of frames
Auto frameskip: YES
Alternative speed: Unlimited
Alternative speed 2: Disabled
Postprocessing shader: OFF
Fullscreen: YES
Rendering resolution: Auto (1:1)
VSync: YES
Buffer graphics commands: up to 2
Hardware transform: YES
Software skinning: YES
Vertex cache: YES
Clear framebuffers on first use: NO
Lazy texture caching: YES
Retain changed textures: NO
Disable slower effects: YES
Spline/Bezier curves quality: LOW
Upscale level: OFF
Upscale type: Hybrid + Bicubic
Deposterize: NO
Anisotropic filtering: OFF
Texture filtering: AUTO
Screen scaling filter: Linear
Lower resolution for effects: Balanced

Other users have reported that these Graphics settings work well with the updated PSP emulator as well, so I encourage you to test these on your favorite game(s) as well. Personally, I have noticed that some games work really well with these settings, while others perform poorly. For example, Daxter runs smoothly with the settings below, but the floor becomes a solid black mass, making it an unenjoyable experience. Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters similarly plays smoothly, but will often glitch into a full black screen for a few seconds during gameplay.

Rendering Mode:
Backend: OpenGL
Mode: Skip buffer effects
Simulate block transfer effects: YES
Software rendering: NO

Framerate Control:
Frame skipping: OFF
Auto frameskip: NO

System settings:
Change emulated PSP's CPU clock: 222

If you find a specific configuration that works best for a particular game, go into the PPSSPP menu (L3 + R3) and select “Create game config” to save those settings specifically for that game.

If you’re looking for game-specific configurations, also check out this GitHub page with tips for several PSP games.

PSP games that perform well on the RG351

There are quite a few games that work really well on the device. Here is a short list — if you have other games you’ve found that work well, please leave a comment below and I’ll get them added to the list!

• The 3rd Birthday (Parasite Eve 3)
• Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7
• Daxter
• Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai
• Gunpey
• Half-Minute Hero
• Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
• LlittleBigPlanet
• LocoRoco
• Lumines
• Patapon
• Pipe Mania
• Ridge Racer
• The Sims 2
• Virtua Tennis: World Tour

Notes

• This update patch is technically in BETA status, so use it at your own risk. I have seen zero issues with the firmware myself, nor have I read anything about any issues for anyone else.
• If something does go wrong, simply remove the new SYSTEM and SYSTEM.md5 files from your SD card, and then place your old files back where they were.
• This firmware patch only speeds up performance on the standalone PSP emulator (which is set by default); the RetroArch PSP core actually seems to have WORSE performance than before.
• The original beta file that Anbernic shared (which you can find here) had a bug where it wouldn’t let you input the FTP WiFi password (“emuelec”) at all, thus breaking that feature. Luckily someone on Discord fixed the issue, which is why I’m linking to the file above in my guide.

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Changelog

08NOV2020
– added GitHub page with game-specific tips

07NOV20
– published guide
– added list of games that work well with RG351P
– added alternative PSP config settings