Retro game emulators have entered something of a new renaissance, now that Apple is officially allowingemulators on their App Store. Though it’s now possible to have any number of emulators you want on your phone, having an equally pocketable device that is made exclusively for emulation is still pretty enticing.
If you see a lot of tech or gaming content on TikTok, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Anbernic’s emulation devices and have seen them in any number ofTikTok Shopads. While they do have a number of devices for sale, I’ve recently had the chance to test the Anbernic RG405M. The RG405M is a small, metal emulation device, and it is fantastic.
Anbernic RG405M
The Anbernic RG405M is a great portable retro emulator for almost every use, with an extremely portable and premium form factor.
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Price, availability, and specs
The Anbernic RG405M can be purchased on Amazon or from Anbernic directly, and it will run you anywhere between $180 and $250. The device is available in grey or black, and can be ordered with or without a microSD card.
The RG405M is made of aluminum, and has a 4-inch IPS touch screen display, with a resolution of 640x480. It comes with 128GB of storage on board, and has 4GB of RAM. It also has a 4500 mAh battery, which Anbernic says will charge in two hours and deplete in seven.
The RG405M runs Android 12, but it also has a built-in front-end that offers a much more streamlined experience for browsing your library of ROMs, and launching them.
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What I liked about the RG405M
Portability, comfort, and ease of use
The Anbernic RG405M is strikingly small and extremely portable, just barely larger than a standard iPhone. Comparing it to older handhelds, you’ll find it feels similar to a folded Nintendo 3DS, and fits comfortably in a pocket. The device’s slim silhouette is achieved in part thanks to a pair of recessed Hall joysticks, as well as an unorthodox shoulder button configuration that features all four laid neatly in a single row, rather than stacked on two sides.
The device’s case is made of aluminum, which gives it a weighty, premium feel. While the metal frame does make the device a little heavier than you might expect, this isn’t particularly an issue, as it feels a bit like holding a DualShock 3.
One positive that you might initially think would be a negative is the device’s small screen and 4:3 aspect ratio. However, this is actually perfect for the device’s main use: emulating classic games. Almost every console that the RG405M emulates has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, which makes this size perfect for experiencing these games in their original form with no stretching or black areas on your screen.
Gameplay on the RG405M is excellent. Almost everything you put on it runs spectacularly. The actual buttons on the device work well, with a particularly great D-Pad and ABXY set-up that can be used to play pretty much every retro gaming console up to the Wii, GameCube, and PlayStation 2.
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What I didn’t like about the RG405M
Joystick responsiveness is hit or miss, and not made for some more recent consoles
While there is a lot to love about the RG405M, it’s not perfect. To begin, the joysticks aren’t that great. They have considerable dead zones, and can feel very snappy towards cardinal directions and diagonals. This combination can result in some frustration while playing anything that requires precise joystick movements. Platformers like Super Mario 64 and Spyro the Dragon are manageable, but doing something like aiming the hookshot or bow in either of the Nintendo 64 Zelda games is downright painful.
Though this inevitably invites comparison to Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons, fear not: these joysticks aren’t going to develop drift. However, they are very small and don’t have the greatest grip. For some, that won’t be an issue. But, when combined with the already small stature of the entire device, people with larger hands may want to opt for one of Anbernic’s more weighty options.
The actual emulation experience of the RG405M is fantastic, but if you plan to emulate anything from the 3DS, GameCube, Wii, or PlayStation 2, you may start running into issues. That doesn’t mean every game from those consoles won’t work, as I personally was able to get a great deal of play out of titles like God of War and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. But, you will be able to find games that no amount of settings tweaks can help on these consoles. Everything aside from those four will almost always run well.
Android 12 being on the RG405M is fantastic, but the form factor of the device doesn’t really take advantage of this platform to the fullest extent. Putting native Android games on this device means shrinking 16:9 games onto a 4:3 screen, which causes plenty of visual issues and can make some titles impossible to play on this device. Similarly, users can also install Xbox Game Pass on the RG405M, but still be held back by the low resolution of the display and the aspect ratio. While it is possible to stream your Game Pass titles on the RG405M, it will look less than optimal on the device’s screen.
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Should you buy the RG405M?
Perfect for portable retro gaming, with a few caveats
The Anbernic RG405M is a near-perfect device. Its flaws may be glaring, but after playing with this device, the pros absolutely outweigh the cons. The premium feel, easy-to-navigate UI, performance, and high level of portability all come together to make this a perfect daily carry for those with an itch to return to some of their favorite classic games.
The only exception is for those who want to primarily emulate PS2, Wii, GameCube, or 3DS games. If this describes what you’re looking for, it might be best to hold off on this device. In addition, if you have larger hands, or find playing with a smaller device just generally uncomfortable, you may want to explore other options.
However, if you are someone that just wants an easily pocketed device that can play everything up to the PlayStation and Nintendo DS, the Anbernic RG405M may just be a perfect purchase for you.
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