Anbernic has recently released their latest console, the RG405M, and it is absolutely stunning. It is one of the company’s best consoles to date, but it still has one major issue.
Anbernic’s Metallic Consoles
Anbernic is known for their quality consoles, but their metallic consoles take things to a whole new level. The metallic design gives a completely different feel and quality to the console. All Anbernic metallic consoles have had superb build quality and feel special to hold. The cold metal feeling as soon as you get it out of the box, the extra weightiness, and the feeling of having something extra premium in your hands, all make these consoles stand out from other generic plastic consoles.
Ergonomics and Comfort
Anbernic’s metallic consoles have always followed the generic design styles that the company usually follows. However, the RG405M does things slightly differently by having a slightly curved edge, making it more comfortable to hold in the palm of your hand. In fact, it is potentially Anbernic’s most comfortable console when it comes to handheld gaming. Comfort is important because it is the difference between being able to enjoy longer play sessions or only having a short quick burst.
Anbernic has decided to move the position of the left analog stick, which is a very welcome change. The left analog stick is now above the d-pad, which is a change that many gamers have been waiting for. Although there may be some debate among retro gamers about the positioning of the left analog stick, in our opinion, most games end up feeling a lot more comfortable when the analog stick is above the d-pad. It’s great to see that Anbernic is listening to the community and making changes to their consoles to improve gameplay quality.
Design Aspects of the RG405M
Anbernic has decided to continue to use the in-series style of shoulder button, which we think really works. The R2 and L2 buttons are slightly higher than the R1 and R1 buttons, making it really easy for you to feel which buttons you’re using. The start, select, and home buttons are in a perfect place on the face of the console, and the volume and power buttons are on the top of the console, making this one of the best-designed Anbernic consoles in terms of the extra button layout. Previous Anbernic consoles have had those extra buttons in strange places on the sides where you can accidentally bump them, but the RG405M has perfected the design in where these buttons are placed.
Features of the RG405M
The RG405M has a USB out and an air vent to help with cooling. It also has two speakers, an audio jack, and a place for one SD card. Previously, Anbernic consoles provided two SD card slots so you could either enjoy an Android experience or a more custom firmware-based experience. However, recently, Anbernic has been focusing on the Android experience, which means that we have a single SD card slot.
In between the well-designed analog sticks and the gorgeous buttons on the RG405M, there is a 4×3 screen, which takes up a nice portion of the middle of the console. It is perfectly designed for retro gaming and looks absolutely great, despite one issue.
The RG405M seems to have some form of screen sharpening implemented, which creates a strange halo effect around the edges of some visuals. Not every can notice it, but those that do can’t stand it. It’s something that has been seen in other Android devices in the past and might be an Android rom issue. It’s important to note that competitors like the Retroid Pocket 3+ don’t have this sharpening so the screen looks crisper. However visually, the RG405M does a great job and is up there with the best retro handhelds available at this price point.
If we find a solution to the screen sharpening we’ll make sure to cover it in a post here.
Gameplay
In terms of emulation, the RG405M is on par with its closest competitor, the Retro Pocket 3 Plus. Both consoles run on a T618 processor, making them capable of smooth emulation for retro games up to N64, PlayStation 1, and Dreamcast. Retro handhelds have come a long way, and the level of emulation achieved on the RG405M is truly impressive. The metallic shell enhances the overall gaming experience, providing a premium feel.
However, when it comes to PlayStation 2 and GameCube emulation, there are some challenges. PlayStation 2 emulation is still not quite there, and achieving a good gameplay experience for consoles in this price range is difficult. On the other hand, GameCube emulation on the RG405M is relatively good, although not on par with Dreamcast and N64. While there may be occasional frame rate drops, many games offer an enjoyable experience on the console.
Price and Competition
The RG405M is priced at around $175, slightly higher than its closest competitor, the Retro Pocket 3 Plus, which is priced at around $150. However, the extra cost of the RG405M is justified by its metallic construction, which adds to its overall quality and feel. The ergonomic design and enhanced comfort of the RG405M further distinguish it from the Retro Pocket 3 Plus. If you’re deciding between these two consoles, the RG405M’s superior materials and ergonomic features are definitely worth considering.
The Issue of Game Streaming and Android Gaming
One major issue with the RG405M, and Anbernic consoles in general, is game streaming and Android gaming. Anbernic seems to have struggled or perhaps not prioritized solving the issue of game streaming compatibility with their consoles. Attempts to play game streaming services like Game Pass on the RG405M are unsuccessful due to the console’s inability to take input from the shoulder buttons. While game streaming services typically accept analog inputs from shoulder buttons, the digital shoulder buttons on Anbernic consoles pose a challenge.
However, it’s worth noting that the Retro Pocket 3 Plus, despite its different shoulder button design, can handle game streaming with its digital shoulder buttons. This suggests that Anbernic could potentially solve this issue by making adjustments to their console’s design. It’s unfortunate that this aspect has not been implemented on the RG405M, especially considering the improved positioning of the analog stick, which enhances the comfort for playing modern games. This issue also extends to Android games, where the console struggles to recognize input from the shoulder buttons.
Conclusion
Despite the game streaming and Android gaming issue, the RG405M stands out as the best metallic retro handheld console currently available. Its stunning design, premium materials, and ergonomic features make it a top choice for retro gaming enthusiasts. The RG405M offers buttery smooth emulation for consoles up to Dreamcast and provides an immersive gaming experience. While PlayStation 2 emulation is still a challenge, the RG405M does well with GameCube emulation, providing enjoyable gameplay for a wide range of games. If Anbernic addresses the game streaming issue in future consoles, the RG405M could become the ultimate retro handheld console.
