The RG405M is the latest metallic console from Anbernic. If you’re a regular reader you know that we love metallic consoles, so I’m very excited to check out the RG405M. In this article, we’ll take a quick look at the RG405M while we work on our in depth review.
Comfortable and Familiar Design
The first thing you’ll notice about the RG405M is just how comfortable and familiar it feels. Anbernic has followed the basic design that most of their consoles follow, but they’ve made some specific improvements that really make a difference. Firstly, the edges are slightly more rounded and curved, making it a lot more comfortable to hold for longer play sessions. The d-pad and analog stick have also been swapped, with the left analog stick now above the d-pad, making it more comfortable for modern gaming experiences.
Improved Button Layout
Anbernic has listened to the complaints of the community and made sure that the buttons are in comfortable places where you can’t accidentally knock them. This means that any awkward reset buttons are on the top of the console, and the start and select buttons are on the face. The button layout design for the RG405M is the best design we’ve seen from any of the Anbernic consoles so far.
Pocket-Friendly Size
In terms of physical size, the RG405M is not as wide as the Retro Pocket 3 Plus, which is probably the console it will be compared to the most. This makes the RG405M feel a lot more comfortable and slide nicely into your pocket. The improved internals of the RG405M mean that it matches the Retro Pocket 3 Plus for PlayStation 2 and GameCube emulation, and initial experiences show that it performs pretty well. We’ll be doing a direct comparison to the Retro Pocket 3 Plus to see how it goes toe-to-toe.
Anbernic RG405M vs. Retro Pocket 3 Plus
The Anbernic RG405M and the Retro Pocket 3 Plus are closely matched in terms of retro game emulation, but which one is better for PlayStation 2 emulation? Let’s take a closer look.
First, let’s start with a comparison of the hardware and settings. Both the Anbernic RG405M and the Retro Pocket 3 Plus have the same internal hardware, so it’s only fair to compare them on an equal playing field. Additionally, to ensure accuracy in the comparison, both devices were set up with the same emulators and settings.
PlayStation 2 Emulation
When it comes to Blitz the League, both devices performed almost identically, averaging around 40 frames per second and dropping to around 20 frames per second during busier moments. While the game is a bit slow and janky, sports fans will still find it playable on both devices.
Moving on to Kinetica, the RG405M managed to keep a slightly higher frame rate during busier scenes than the Retro Pocket 3 Plus. The game is a great experience on both devices, with the RG405M providing a smoother performance overall.
EA Shox Performance
EA Shox is a much trickier game to emulate, but both devices still perform well, with almost identical frame rates. The video review below shows the Vulcan GPU renderer being used, which is the only renderer that works well with EA Shox. The game is a thoroughly enjoyable experience on both devices.
Time Splitters 2 Performance
Finally, Time Splitters 2 is where the differences between the two devices start to become apparent. Both devices performed similarly in terms of frame rate, hovering around the 40 frames per second mark. However, the positioning of the left analog stick and the shoulder buttons on the RG405M make it much easier to play first-person shooter games like Time Splitters 2.
PS2 Emulation Conclusion
Overall, the Anbernic RG405M and Retro Pocket 3 Plus perform very similarly when it comes to PlayStation 2 emulation. While neither device is perfect, they both have their strengths and weaknesses. The RG405M may be the better choice for gamers who want to play first-person shooter games, but the Retro Pocket 3 Plus is still a great option for retro gaming enthusiasts.
GameCube Emulation
We’ll start with a comparison of how the two devices perform with two popular games – Mario Kart and NBA Street Volume 2.
Mario Kart: Both devices run the game well, with busy times hitting around 50 frames per second and most gameplay around 60 frames per second. The RG405M and the Retro Pocket 3 Plus handle GameCube emulation well, especially when it comes to games like Mario Kart.
NBA Street Volume 2: Both devices struggle with NBA Street Volume 2, with both running at equivalent frames per second. The Retro Pocket 3 Plus hits closer to 60 frames per second more frequently than the RG405M.
Super Mario Sunshine Performance
Both devices run the game identically at around 30 frames per second. There are moments of stuttering, but for the most part, it’s a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Extreme G3 Performance
Both devices hover around 40 frames per second, but it doesn’t affect the gameplay experience. Extreme G3 is a fast-paced game, and the high frames per second don’t seem to impact it much.
GameCube Emulation Conclusion
As expected, both devices handle GameCube emulation equivalently, with similar frame rates and performance. However, the difference lies in the ergonomics and feel of using the console, with different left analog stick positions and shoulder buttons.
Overall, the Anbernic RG405M and the Retro Pocket 3 Plus are both great retro handheld devices that offer a wide range of classic games to play. If you’re specifically looking for a device for GameCube emulation, both devices are great choices, with some variations in performance. However, the ergonomics and feel of using the devices will differ, so you may want to consider that before you purchase.
Game Streaming Capability
One of the issues that lets the RG405M down is its lack of game streaming capability. Anbernic consoles have struggled with game streaming services in the past because the shoulder buttons didn’t provide the analog input needed for those services. Unfortunately, the RG405M still hasn’t addressed this issue, which could have made make it my favorite retro handheld console for a long time.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Anbernic RG405M is an excellent addition to the retro handheld console market. Its comfortable design, improved button layout, and pocket-friendly size make it a great option for gamers who love to play on the go. With its improved internals, it matches the Retro Pocket 3 Plus for PlayStation 2 and GameCube emulation, unfortunately the lack of game streaming capability, especially now we have the improved left stick location, let it down. We’ll be doing more in-depth reviews of the RG405M in the future, so make sure to subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all the latest news and reviews in the retro handheld console market.
