Metroid on July’s Handheld of the Month

Greetings friends and fellow enthusiasts!

This is Mikhailov from Team Retrogue, where we like retro games and the devices that bring them to us. Last week, we looked at the Legion Space Update for the Lenovo Legion Go.

This week, it’s time to take a look at July’s Handheld of the Month, the Anbernic RG Cube.

Before we do, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, to where a young Mikhailov did. The video was on the best way to enjoy the 2D Metroid games. I recorded this video on October 15, 2021, shortly after the release date of Metroid Dread on the Nintendo Switch.

Today, the entirety of the Metroid 2D Quintology can be emulated on just one powerful device. Most people will choose a Steam Deck or an Odin 2 to be that device, but not me. I really like the RG Cube, and I want to play these games on the Handheld of the Month. Therefore, let’s review the best ways to play Samus’s 2D journey bounty hunting through the galaxy.

The First Journey – Metroid Zero Mission (GBA)

While Samus’s first recorded journey through the planet Zebes was on the Nintendo Entertainment System, the best retelling of this adventure is Metroid Zero Mission for the GBA. A remake of the original Metroid, this game improved the graphics and continued the quality of life improvements that Super Metroid brought to the series. You can load this game up on Retroarch using the MGBA core.

On the RG Cube, you can keep the game at its native 3:2 aspect ratio. Despite the vertical bars on the top and bottom, the game still looks and plays exquisitely on this handheld.

You can further enhance the look by applying the Sharp Shimmerless Shader. This shader is a personal favorite of GammaOS’s TheGammaSqueeze and with good reason. GBA games look absolutely stunning with this shader applied.

If you wish to play the original NES game, you can set the aspect ratio to 8:7 and fill most of the Cube’s screen. This game is much more challenging than Zero Mission. There are no save points, no map, and an antiquated password system to save your progress. That’s what save states are for, right?

Samus Returns – Metroid II (GB, Android, 3DS)

Samus’s journey into the planet SR388 can be enjoyed three different ways, and all three ways work very well on the RG Cube.

The 1:1 screen is perfect for Game Boy games, with minimal bezels at the top and bottom. Naturally, that means that the original Game Boy version of Metroid II can be enjoyed, but again you lose some quality-of-life improvements that later remakes include.

The first remake is an unofficial Android port called AM2R (Another Metroid 2 Remake). This game utilizes the same engine and controls as Metroid Zero Mission, which will make the gameplay very familiar if you just beat that version of Metroid 1.

If you prefer a Nintendo-published option, the 3DS version of Metroid: Samus Returns also plays very well on this handheld utilizing the Lime3DS emulator. This game offers several new gameplay experiences. The majority of these, like Melee Counter, are also in Metroid Dread. Utilize the emulator to run at a native resolution in order to get the best performance. Also, turn the CPU to high performance in the Cube’s quick settings.

Return to Zebes – Super Metroid (SNES)

Super Metroid – SNES – 1994

“The Last Metroid is in Captivity. The galaxy is at peace.”

In Super Metroid for the SNES, Samus returns to the planet Zebes to recover the last surviving Metroid from the Space Pirate Ridley.

The only release of this game was on the SNES back in March 1994. Super Metroid remains a timeless masterpiece and is often praised as the best in the series. In order to fully enjoy this game on the RG Cube, use Retroarch and the SNES9x core. You will also get the best picture by setting the aspect ratio to 8:7.

A New Threat – Metroid Fusion (GBA)

Metroid Fusion – GBA – 2002

After nearly dying at the hands of the X Parasites, Samus becomes trapped in a research station swarming with the threats. The biggest obstacle turns out to be a parasite that takes the form of Samus at full power. In order to escape, Samus must accept guidance from an AI constructed out of the consciousness of her old commanding officer.

Metroid Fusion can be enjoyed using the same GBA emulator core and shaders as Metroid Zero Mission.

Escape from ZDR – Metroid Dread (Switch)

Metroid Dread – Switch – 2021

Again, Samus finds herself trapped. This time, she must escape the depths of the planet ZDR while avoiding deadly robots known as EMMI.

You are able to play Metroid Dread on the RG Cube if you can manage to find and set up a compatible Switch emulator.

Since 16:9 content looks quite squished on the RG Cube, and the handheld struggles when it comes to Switch emulation, you might want to set the aspect ratio to “force 4:3” and the resolution to “0.75%”. This will make the game look more like an SNES or a GBA game, but it will also make the game playable. It is still possible to play the game on the Cube this way,

You can snag the Anbernic RG Cube from GoGameGeek. Just make sure to use code RH15 at checkout to save yourself an extra 15%.

Anbernic RG Cube at GoGameGeek

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