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”
Last updated: 08JUL2021 (see Changelog for details)
The RG350 and RG280 devices run on a Linux-based firmware called OpenDingux. This operating system was originally intended for the GCW-0 retro handheld device, which was part of a successful Kickstarter campaign back in 2013. And while this old firmware presents some advantages (like 7+ years of app development history), its kernel has become outdated over time. Luckily, developer zcrc has been working on getting the current upstream Linux onto these devices, and for about a month now there have been nightly builds of a public beta for this new firmware, which is simply called “OpenDingux” (I’ll refer to it as “OD beta” throughout this guide). To read more about its development, check out this update from this past summer.
Long story short, I’ve been following this beta release for a couple months now, and I think it’s time to say that you should consider flashing this firmware onto your device. I first touched on this beta in my Super Mario 64 guide, but at the time I didn’t see any real benefit to loading it other than to play SM64 on a device that shouldn’t really be able to play this game so dang well. But since then, the OD beta has been getting better and better, including added support for the RG280 devices.
So in this guide I’ll show you how to install the OD beta firmware, and also provide a list (with links!) to all the OPKs/apps that run on it. This guide applies to the RG350, RG350P, RG350M, RG300X, RG280M, and RG280V devices.
Continue reading “OpenDingux Beta Firmware for RG350 and RG280 Devices”
I often get asked which system is best to buy right now: the RG350M ($120), RG351P ($95), or the Retroid Pocket 2 ($85 + shipping). The video below will break down all of the aspects I find most important when considering one of these devices: hardware, supported systems, user interface, screen, and performance.
Continue reading “Deep Dive Comparison: RG350M vs RG351P vs Retroid Pocket 2”
Last updated: 24SEP2021
Unless you purchased an RG351P during the first few days it was available, you probably do not have an internal WiFi chip inside your device. This is because they were removed due to speaker noise issues (see my whole post here, which includes a guide to reduce the noise).
But the RG351P has some really great online features, like the ability to download media (box art and videos), download and install new themes, download a cheat database, connect to your PC and load games wirelessly, implement RetroAchievements, and even use an online update tool for the ArkOS operating system. You *can* use an OTG adapter and a USB WiFi module to connect, but it’s a little clunky. So in this guide I’ll show you how some members of the community have installed WiFi chips to their device so they have a seamless experience.
Full disclosure: I have an internal WiFi chip on my device, so I haven’t attempted this myself, but I took copious notes when others were sharing their experience! Note that this is not a beginner’s guide: it includes soldering. If you have any questions or issues with this process, I suggest you post something in the Retro Game Handhelds Discord server (in the #RG351P channel).
If you are familiar with KiCad, here is a prototype WiFi adapter created by Reddit user kuzmapunk, and here are more instructions in the comments section of his Reddit post on the subject.
Continue reading “Guide: Install your own Wi-Fi chip inside the RG351P”
Last updated: 13JAN2021
Fresh off the heels of 351ELEC, another RG351P operating system is now available. This one is called ArkOS, and it has some features that may make it my favorite operating system yet.
The developer who created ArkOS is not new to RK3326 chipset devices like the RG351P, as they had previously developed an operating system called TheRA-NTFS that was used on similar ODROID GO ADVANCE handheld devices (and clones). But there were enough deviations from TheRA-NTFS to warrant a new name, and now we have ArkOS (Another RK3326 OS).
What I really love about this OS is that it has a lot of quality of life features: online updating, 32-bit and 64-bit userspace, background music, and screensaver options. So let’s dive into this OS and show why I think this might be the best one yet.
Continue reading “ArkOS, another excellent RG351P firmware”
Over the years, I’ve always found that the best way to ensure I can can play all of my favorite arcade classics is by using a full arcade romset. The only problem is that these romsets contain thousands of games, and at least half of them are not worth trying — they’re full of hacks, duplicates, trivia games, mahjong games, and more.
This guide will show you how to reduce arcade romset file sizes significantly with the help of LaunchBox — in this case, from 34GB down to 8GB! This method will work with any full non-merged romset, and works beautifully with your favorite arcade emulator and handheld devices like the RG350, RG351P, and Retroid Pocket 2.
Continue reading “Guide: Trim Arcade ROMsets using LaunchBox”
Last updated 19JUN2021 (see Changelog for details)
Pico-8 is one of my favorite systems to run on handheld emulation devices, because there are thousands of indie games right at your fingertips, and they are a perfect match for a handheld system.
Continue reading “Guide: Pico-8 on Retro Handheld Devices”
Last updated: 12JAN2021
I’m excited to show off a new fork of EmuELEC, called 351ELEC, which is designed specifically for the RG351P. This firmware incorporates the most recent release of EmuELEC and also has a FAT32 “Games” partition which allows you to drag and drop ROM files directly onto your SD card. Like with ArkOS, 351ELEC is a more feature-rich and user-friendly operating system than the stock firmware.
Continue reading “Introducing 351ELEC – a new firmware for the RG351P!”
Retro Game Corps 