Last update: 10JAN2021
The 351ELEC custom firmware for Anbernic RG351P was recently released, so here is a video walkthrough to showcase some of its new features. We’ll walk you through how to install the new firmware as well as some tips and tricks that might help along the way.
Continue reading “351ELEC v1.0.6 Firmware Update”
Last updated: 02JAN2021 (see Changelog for details)
After months of promises, a rescinded update, and a very patient Retroid Pocket 2 community, we finally have the Android 8.1 update that has been in the works since August.
I have to say that this operating system update does wonders for the UI lag issues that were prominent in the original Android 6.0 OS, and it has breathed new life into my device. So I decided to document my upgrade experience so that you could easily follow the steps. Please note that you will need a Windows PC in order to run this update, because we will be using .exe and batch files, which won’t run on MacOS. If you are a Mac user, check out my guide on how to run a virtual Windows machine.
Continue reading “Retroid Pocket 2 – Android 8.1 Install Guide”
Last updated: 23JUN2022 (see Changelog for details)
UPDATE: PortMaster has recently created a one-stop shop for all things related to running ports on retro handhelds. I recommend checking out their website and my most recent PortMaster guide instead of the guide below; I’m leaving this page up for posterity’s sake only. To get started, head over to their Games tab, find the game you want to run, and check out their instructions on that page. If you run into any issues, their discord server is also a great place to start.
While there isn’t a direct port of SM64 on PortMaster, I would recommend checking out Render96ex!
Great news – the method used to bring the awesome Super Mario 64 port for RG350 devices is now available for the RG351P and similar retro handheld devices. This port is unique in that it features a 60fps (frames per second) patch, making the game look and feel twice as smooth as it originally did. It’s worth checking out this port for this feature alone. Moreover, it’s available for both the 351ELEC and ArkOS firmwares, which is very handy!
This guide is relatively simple, but before we get started, a word about copyright: The game file for Super Mario 64 (or for any game, unless explicitly offered by the owner) is considered copyrighted media, just like a film or song is considered copyrighted media. While it’s never been tested in court, distributing game files over the internet is considered illegal. This guide will show you how to create your own port of SM64 using your own copy of the game, for your own personal use. Sharing the location of a copy of SM64 is not permitted on this site, nor is distributing a copy of the completed port we’re about to create. If you’re interested in reading more about the legality surrounding game emulation, check out my article here.
Note that the video below is quite dated, but the process is relatively the same. For the most current information, follow the written guides below.
Continue reading “Guide: Super Mario 64 Port on Retro Handhelds”
The latest PocketGo handheld emulation console is now available, and it is clearly modeled after the 8BitDo SN30 Pro Bluetooth Gamepad (and the SNES controller before it). So how does it stack up? Watch the video below to find out!
Continue reading “PocketGo S30 – Unboxing and Review”
Last updated: 06JUL2021 (see Changelog for details)
At long last, we have an official RetroArch build for OpenDingux devices, which includes the Anbernic RG350 and RG280 series of devices.
This app is a long time coming; an experimental port of RetroArch was released in January 2020, and then picked up again by RetroArch developer jdgleaver a few months ago. You may recognize that name, because this is the same developer who has recently given the OpenDingux community new versions of ReGBA (Game Boy Advance) and PCSX4All (PlayStation 1) emulators for the RG350 devices. These two emulators by far are my favorites on the RG350/RG280, so I was excited to see what the RetroArch team came up with, and I have to say that this version of RetroArch runs super clean and efficiently.
In addition to the Anbernic devices (RG350, RG350M, RG350P, RG280M, and RG280V), this RetroArch build should work on other OpenDingux devices, like the GCW Zero and the Bittboy PocketGo v2. Note that this version of RetroArch works on both STOCK and BETA OpenDingux firmwares, and performance is greatly enhanced on the BETA firmware.
So let’s dig into this guide, and show you how to rock RetroArch on your device.
Continue reading “Guide: RetroArch on RG350 and RG280 devices”
Last updated: 10JAN2023 (see Changelog for details)
Yep, you can play Half-Life on the RG351P, using the ArkOS operating system. Here’s a quick guide on getting it started up.
UPDATE (10JAN2023): After a couple years of being unfinished/abandoned, a port of Half-Life is now available via PortMaster. Check out the instructions on how to get it up and running here.
Continue reading “Guide: Half-Life on the RG351P”
Last updated: 12JAN2021 (see Changelog for details)
The Anbernic RG351P has several different firmware (operating system) options beyond the stock firmware that ships with the device. So let’s look at the various firmware options available to you, and see which one might be the right fit for you.
Continue reading “RG351P Firmware Comparison Guide”
Last updated: 13DEC2020 (see Changelog for details)
If you’ve ever spent time on any emulation-related website, subreddit, YouTube comments, or discord server, you’ve heard the arguments: if you want a good handheld gaming device, you must buy a PS Vita. So I decided to pick up a PS Vita and give it the same critical eye that I like to give any of my handheld devices.
Continue reading “PlayStation Vita as a Retro Handheld Gaming Device”
Last updated: 04AUG2022 (see Changelog for details)
I’ve had a couple people ask me about playing Minecraft on the RG351P, and honestly, until the other day, I didn’t think it was possible. But then a reader pointed out the fact that there is a homebrew version of Minecraft created specifically for the PSP (a 10-year undertaking, nonetheless!), and since PSP games work on the RG351P, I set out to get the game working on this device. As luck would have it, I was successful.
Bear in mind that this is a pared-down version of Minecraft, and it plays like the classic version of this game. I find this fitting for a console focused on retro games, and I bring it up only to temper your expectations. This game does support ad-hoc wireless multiplayer gameplay, but I haven’t been able to test it. Let’s check it out.
Continue reading “Guide: Minecraft on the RG351P”
I teamed up with MashTec and More Tech Sir! to showcase our own personal “Top 5” retro games. The rules were simple: the game must be playable on a retro handheld device, 5th generation (PS1/N64) or older, and one minute showcase per game. Amazingly there was no overlap!
Continue reading “Top 5 Retro Games (with MashTec and More Tech Sir!)”
Retro Game Corps 