Game Console R40XX Review: The Clone Wars Continue

Never one to be able to resist the call of a new Game Console starter handheld, the new R40XX was pretty much destined to make its way across my desk. This latest entry from everyone’s (me) favorite clone maker(s) comes with a larger 4″ screen and some weird accent design flair.

Does this new competitor in a crowded clone console commons cut it? Can I stop using alliteration? Let’s break it down and find out.

Game Console R40XX Specs

Familiar components

The R40XX is nothing new in the internals department. A library’s worth of material has been written about the RK3326 at this point. We know what it is and what it can do.

At this point, I’m attracted to new designs and form factors built around the engine room. It’s fun to see all the different ways these companies can attempt to reinvent the wheel and differentiate themselves from all the other manufacturers in the space.

Unexpected, but not shocking – nobody changed the model number from the last go round

Screen: 4-inch, 4:3 1024X768 IPS Display
Chipset: RockChip RK3326
GPU: Mali-G31 MP2
RAM: 1GB
Connectivity: 2x microSD, USB-C, 3.5mm Audio Jack
OS: ArkOS 2.0
USB-C: Charging + Data port function, NO Video Out
Wifi: 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
Sound: Down-firing stereo speakers
Battery: 4000mAh
Weight: 236g (per my postal scale)
Dimensions: 5.71 x 2.95 x 0.91 inches

R40XX (AliExpress) R40XX (Amazon)

Designs

Plenty of options

You certainly aren’t light on choices when it comes to colors on the R40XX. There are six options available at the time of writing. All with the same non-descript future militaria type of accent designs.

Whether that’s a plus or a turn-off will have to be up to you. I hate the trim embellishments personally, but I can understand that they are trying to stand out in a crowded market of nearly identical handhelds. Orioles orange was an easy sell for me.

Controls and Ergonomics

The Shell

The exterior shell of the 40XXV is that weird in-betweener plastic. It’s sturdy, and far from the cheapest thing I’ve ever felt, but it still feels kinda cheap in the hands. When I pick up its Anbernic cousin, there’s just a premium feel that doesn’t exist on the Game Console version. It’s not that the fabric seats of the Toyota Camry have any problems; it’s just that you know what it’s like to sit in the leather Lexus version. The 40XX is like that.

Cheap, but sturdy

When it comes to the shape of the device, there are some rear contours that make it pleasant enough to hold. There is some small venting above the shoulder buttons, though it must just be for heat dispersion, because there’s certainly no fan inside the device.

Buttons and Triggers

A different look

Whether you find the R40XX to be comfortable is likely to come down to how you feel about the shoulder buttons on the handheld. Rather than curved trigger-type designs that protrude from the back of the device, seen on many vertical handhelds, the R40XX has flat shoulder buttons that follow the contours of the handheld itself. I found it to be jarring when I first picked the console up, but as time went on, my fingers found a comfortable position.

Same as they ever were

The rest of the controls on the R40XX are as standard as they come for this level of budget device. These are the same buttons, sticks, and D-pad as found on the R-36S line of handhelds.

Entirely serviceable, but not something anyone is ever going to point at as a shining beacon of control bliss. Everything is functional and gets the job done without much fuss. At the tier of devices where the R40XX sits, I’m perfectly fine with the controls as they are.

Display

Game_Console_R40XX_Anbernic_RG40XXV_Screens

Nothing to complain about with the display

So the main thing that makes the 40XX stand out is obviously the 4-inch screen. A budget answer to the Anbernic RG40XXV – even if they might be selling at comparable price points right now. When sat side by side, the R40XX totally holds its own against its Anbernic inspiration, delivering impressive brightness and clarity.

Software & Presentation

As most of its generic cousins tend to do these days, the Game Console R40XX comes packed with ArkOS 2.0. I love that manufacturers have embraced community efforts to get the most out of their devices.

Gone are the dark days when I have to write about a device and only say it’s worthwhile after you load custom firmware packages. That’s no big deal for hobbyists, but a lot of casual folks will fold up once a PC gets involved. Better to just have the best option installed out of the gate.

Game_Console_R40XX_Chrono_Trigger_Crimson_Echoes

Chrono Trigger Crimson Echoes fan project

The included ROM package on the device that I received is familiar to recent entries in the genre, like the R36T and the XF35H. There are some well-curated lists in places, but something of a mess in others.

Some systems already have art pre-scraped, and others are left bare. Overall, though, anything you could hope to play on this device is probably here, and they’ve made an effort to include some more esoteric systems into the mix as well.

I had no idea that one of my favorite games of all time had a fan-made sequel that takes place between the original game and Chrono Cross. Shame on me, but thanks to the included Romhacks, I get more Chrono Trigger in my life. That’s always a win.

TLDR

The Game Console R40XX is like a lot of other generic RK3326 devices. It’s better than you might expect it to be, but not quite good enough to be the first choice.

Wi-Fi and a larger screen are certainly welcome additions to the Game Console family of companies and their lineups, but I can’t recommend this handheld when it’s selling for a similar asking price as the Anbernic RG40XXV. That’s just a better device in every conceivable metric.

Game_Console_40XX_AnbernicRG40XXV_SidebySide

The 40XX does a great job, but it’s no RG40XXV

While the 40XX certainly does a noble job, it’s not 2022 anymore. That sounds like a ridiculous thing to say, but this hobby moves lightning fast, and companies are going to need to start offering a little more bang for the buck. What impressed the hell out of me just a few years ago isn’t that exciting anymore in its 40th generic reincarnation.

There’s nothing wrong with the 40XX. I just don’t know where it fits in the modern emulation puzzle. Sure, it’s still an entirely decent starter handheld, but when there are better options at the same price, why would you bother?

And that’s harsh, because the 40XX really doesn’t do much wrong. It’s a very capable device out of the box. I just need to see the price come down around the R36S to consider it a competitor.

Devices like the recent Mangmi Air X show that there’s plenty of room for improved performance at lower-than-expected prices. We can still be wowed, but they’re going to have to try a bit harder than some shape designs around the controls.