Powkiddy RGB30/Anbernic RG35XX Retro Handheld Review
Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the retro handheld gaming world with a detailed review of two popular devices: the Powkiddy RGB30 and the Anbernic RG35XX. If you're like me and have a soft spot for classic games, you’ve probably been eyeing these two. They promise to bring back the nostalgia with a modern twist. So, let’s get right to it and see what makes each of these handhelds special, how they stack up against each other, and which one might be the perfect fit for your retro gaming needs. We'll cover everything from design and build quality to performance and software, giving you a comprehensive look at what to expect.
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to retro handheld consoles, the first thing that grabs your attention is the design and how well it's built. Both the Powkiddy RGB30 and the Anbernic RG35XX have distinct aesthetics that cater to different preferences. The Powkiddy RGB30, with its focus on a unique screen ratio, has a more modern and functional design. On the other hand, the Anbernic RG35XX goes for a classic, Game Boy-esque look that many retro enthusiasts will instantly recognize and appreciate. Let's break down the specifics of each.
Powkiddy RGB30
The Powkiddy RGB30 sports a sleek, minimalist design with a focus on functionality. Its most distinguishing feature is the 4:3 aspect ratio screen, which is perfect for playing many retro games without stretching or distortion. The device feels comfortable in hand, thanks to its ergonomic design and well-placed buttons. The build quality is decent, with a sturdy plastic shell that can withstand everyday use. The buttons are responsive and have a satisfying tactile feedback, which is crucial for an enjoyable gaming experience. The overall design is clean and modern, making it appealing to those who prefer a more contemporary look. The device is available in various colors, allowing you to choose one that matches your personal style. The button layout is intuitive, with easy access to all the essential controls. The device also includes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as a headphone jack for private listening. The speaker is located on the front of the device and provides clear audio, enhancing the overall gaming experience. The Powkiddy RGB30 is designed with portability in mind, making it easy to carry around and play games on the go. Its lightweight construction ensures that it won't weigh you down, whether you're commuting or traveling. The device also features a microSD card slot, allowing you to expand the storage and load up on your favorite games. With its combination of modern design, comfortable ergonomics, and practical features, the Powkiddy RGB30 is a solid choice for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Anbernic RG35XX
The Anbernic RG35XX, on the other hand, embraces a classic retro aesthetic, reminiscent of the original Game Boy. Its design is simple, yet charming, with a rectangular shape and a classic button layout. The device is compact and lightweight, making it easy to slip into your pocket and take with you wherever you go. The build quality is surprisingly good for its price point, with a solid plastic construction that feels durable. The buttons are well-placed and responsive, providing a comfortable gaming experience. The D-pad is particularly noteworthy, offering precise control for those retro games that require accurate movements. The device is available in a range of colors, including transparent options that showcase the internal components. The screen is bright and clear, providing a vibrant display for your favorite games. The Anbernic RG35XX also includes a microSD card slot for expanding storage, as well as a USB-C port for charging. The device features a headphone jack for private listening and a built-in speaker for audio output. The overall design is nostalgic and appealing, capturing the essence of classic handheld gaming. The Anbernic RG35XX is perfect for those who appreciate a retro look and feel, offering a simple and enjoyable gaming experience. Its compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for portable gaming, allowing you to relive your favorite childhood memories wherever you go. With its combination of classic design, solid build quality, and practical features, the Anbernic RG35XX is a great option for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Display and Screen Quality
The display quality is paramount when you're talking about retro handheld gaming. After all, you want those pixelated classics to look as good as they possibly can on a modern screen. Both the Powkiddy RGB30 and Anbernic RG35XX offer different screen experiences, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The Powkiddy RGB30 boasts a unique 4:3 aspect ratio, which is ideal for many retro games, while the Anbernic RG35XX goes for a more standard widescreen display. Let's delve into the specifics.
Powkiddy RGB30
The Powkiddy RGB30 features a 3-inch IPS display with a resolution of 720x720 pixels. What sets this screen apart is its 1:1 aspect ratio, which is perfect for playing retro games that were originally designed for square screens. This means you won't have to deal with any stretching or distortion, ensuring that the games look exactly as they were intended. The IPS panel provides vibrant colors, excellent viewing angles, and good brightness, making it easy to see the screen in various lighting conditions. The display is sharp and clear, rendering pixelated graphics with a high level of detail. The 1:1 aspect ratio also makes the Powkiddy RGB30 a great choice for playing vertical arcade games, as the screen perfectly matches the original aspect ratio of these games. The screen is also well-protected, with a durable glass cover that resists scratches and smudges. The Powkiddy RGB30's display is a standout feature, offering a unique and enjoyable retro gaming experience. Its combination of vibrant colors, sharp resolution, and perfect aspect ratio makes it a top choice for those who want to relive their favorite classic games in the best possible way. The screen is also energy-efficient, helping to extend the battery life of the device. With its superior display quality, the Powkiddy RGB30 is a great investment for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Anbernic RG35XX
The Anbernic RG35XX comes with a 3.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 640x480 pixels. While it doesn't have the unique aspect ratio of the Powkiddy RGB30, the screen is still bright and clear, providing a good viewing experience for retro games. The IPS panel ensures good viewing angles and vibrant colors, although the color accuracy may not be as high as some other devices. The screen is sharp enough to render pixelated graphics with a decent level of detail, but some users may notice a slight blurring effect on certain games. The 4:3 aspect ratio is well-suited for many retro games, but some games may require stretching or letterboxing to fit the screen. The screen is also prone to reflections, which can be distracting in bright lighting conditions. However, the overall display quality is still acceptable for the price point, and the Anbernic RG35XX provides an enjoyable retro gaming experience. The screen is also durable, with a scratch-resistant coating that helps to protect it from damage. The Anbernic RG35XX's display is a solid choice for retro gaming, offering a good balance of brightness, clarity, and color accuracy. While it may not be the best display on the market, it is more than adequate for reliving your favorite classic games. The screen is also energy-efficient, helping to extend the battery life of the device. With its combination of decent display quality and affordable price, the Anbernic RG35XX is a great option for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Performance and Emulation
Let's talk about performance and emulation capabilities. This is where these handhelds either shine or fall flat. After all, what good is a retro handheld if it can't accurately and smoothly play the games you want? Both the Powkiddy RGB30 and the Anbernic RG35XX are powered by capable processors that can handle a wide range of retro consoles, but there are some differences in their performance. The Powkiddy RGB30 is powered by a Rockchip RK3566 processor, while the Anbernic RG35XX is powered by an Allwinner H3 processor. Let's see how these processors perform in real-world gaming scenarios.
Powkiddy RGB30
The Powkiddy RGB30, with its Rockchip RK3566 processor, offers impressive performance for a handheld device in this price range. It can handle most retro consoles with ease, including NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 1. The device also supports more demanding consoles like Nintendo 64 and PlayStation Portable, but the performance may vary depending on the game. Some games may require tweaking the settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Powkiddy RGB30 also supports a wide range of emulators, allowing you to play games from various platforms. The device has enough RAM to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, such as running emulators and browsing the file system. The Powkiddy RGB30's performance is further enhanced by its optimized software, which ensures smooth and stable gameplay. The device also supports overclocking, allowing you to push the processor to its limits for even better performance. However, overclocking may also decrease battery life. The Powkiddy RGB30's performance is a standout feature, making it a great choice for retro gaming enthusiasts. Its ability to handle a wide range of consoles and emulators with ease ensures that you'll have a great gaming experience. The device also supports save states, allowing you to save your progress at any point in the game. With its combination of powerful hardware and optimized software, the Powkiddy RGB30 is a top performer in the retro gaming handheld market.
Anbernic RG35XX
The Anbernic RG35XX, powered by an Allwinner H3 processor, offers decent performance for a budget-friendly retro handheld. It can handle most 8-bit and 16-bit consoles with ease, including NES, SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy. However, it may struggle with more demanding consoles like PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64. Some games may require tweaking the settings or using a different emulator to achieve a playable frame rate. The Anbernic RG35XX also supports a wide range of emulators, but the performance may vary depending on the emulator. The device has limited RAM, which may cause some slowdown or stuttering in certain games. The Anbernic RG35XX's performance is also affected by its software, which is not as optimized as the Powkiddy RGB30. However, the device still provides an enjoyable retro gaming experience, especially for those who are primarily interested in playing 8-bit and 16-bit games. The Anbernic RG35XX also supports save states, allowing you to save your progress at any point in the game. With its combination of decent performance and affordable price, the Anbernic RG35XX is a great option for budget-conscious retro gaming enthusiasts.
Software and User Interface
Software and user interface can make or break a retro handheld. A clunky, unintuitive interface can turn a potentially great device into a frustrating experience. Both the Powkiddy RGB30 and Anbernic RG35XX have their own unique software and user interface, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Let's take a closer look.
Powkiddy RGB30
The Powkiddy RGB30 runs on a custom Linux-based operating system that is designed specifically for retro gaming. The user interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate through the various menus and options. The device supports a wide range of emulators, and it comes pre-loaded with a selection of popular emulators. The Powkiddy RGB30 also supports custom themes, allowing you to personalize the look and feel of the user interface. The device also has a built-in file manager, making it easy to transfer games and other files to the device. The Powkiddy RGB30's software is well-optimized, ensuring smooth and stable performance. The device also supports OTA updates, allowing you to easily update the software to the latest version. The Powkiddy RGB30's user interface is a standout feature, making it a pleasure to use. Its combination of clean design, intuitive navigation, and optimized performance makes it a top choice for retro gaming enthusiasts. The device also supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a wide range of users. With its superior software and user interface, the Powkiddy RGB30 is a great investment for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Anbernic RG35XX
The Anbernic RG35XX also runs on a custom Linux-based operating system, but its user interface is not as polished as the Powkiddy RGB30. The interface is functional, but it can be clunky and unintuitive at times. The device comes pre-loaded with a selection of emulators, but some of them may not be the latest versions. The Anbernic RG35XX also supports custom themes, but the selection is limited. The device has a built-in file manager, but it is not as user-friendly as the Powkiddy RGB30. The Anbernic RG35XX's software is not as optimized as the Powkiddy RGB30, which may result in some slowdown or stuttering in certain games. The device also does not support OTA updates, which means you'll have to manually update the software. However, the Anbernic RG35XX's user interface is still functional, and it provides access to all the essential features. With its combination of decent software and affordable price, the Anbernic RG35XX is a great option for budget-conscious retro gaming enthusiasts.
Battery Life
Battery life is crucial for any portable gaming device. You don't want your retro gaming session to be cut short due to a dead battery. Both the Powkiddy RGB30 and Anbernic RG35XX offer decent battery life, but there are some differences in their performance. Let's take a closer look.
Powkiddy RGB30
The Powkiddy RGB30 is equipped with a 3000mAh battery, which provides a decent battery life of around 5-6 hours of gameplay. The actual battery life may vary depending on the games you're playing and the settings you're using. The Powkiddy RGB30 also supports USB-C charging, which is convenient and fast. The device also has a built-in battery indicator, allowing you to easily monitor the battery level. The Powkiddy RGB30's battery life is a solid feature, making it a great choice for retro gaming enthusiasts. Its combination of decent battery capacity and efficient power management ensures that you'll have a great gaming experience. The device also supports power saving mode, which can further extend the battery life. With its superior battery performance, the Powkiddy RGB30 is a great investment for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Anbernic RG35XX
The Anbernic RG35XX comes with a 2100mAh battery, which provides a battery life of around 4-5 hours of gameplay. The actual battery life may vary depending on the games you're playing and the settings you're using. The Anbernic RG35XX also supports USB-C charging, which is convenient and fast. The device has a built-in battery indicator, allowing you to easily monitor the battery level. The Anbernic RG35XX's battery life is acceptable for a budget-friendly retro handheld. With its combination of decent battery capacity and affordable price, the Anbernic RG35XX is a great option for budget-conscious retro gaming enthusiasts.
Conclusion
So, which retro handheld is the winner? Both the Powkiddy RGB30 and the Anbernic RG35XX have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Powkiddy RGB30 offers a unique 1:1 aspect ratio screen, better performance, and a more polished user interface. However, it is also more expensive than the Anbernic RG35XX. The Anbernic RG35XX, on the other hand, is more affordable and offers a classic retro design. However, it has a less powerful processor and a less polished user interface. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for the best possible retro gaming experience and don't mind spending a bit more, the Powkiddy RGB30 is the way to go. If you're on a budget and primarily interested in playing 8-bit and 16-bit games, the Anbernic RG35XX is a great option. No matter which device you choose, you're sure to have a blast reliving your favorite classic games!
