The squared aspect handheld is no longer an outlier. Everyone on the emulation block has thrown their hat in the ring, and for better or worse, I’ve managed to accrue a number of them along the way.
Which one is your favorite?
Before starting, let it be known that I like playing these systems stretched out to 1:1 as best as I can. Overlays and proper scaling aren’t my concern on these handhelds. Games from the late-90s on back translate really well to this aspect ratio for me (some better than others, of course), and I want to fill out the full square with emulated pixels. Playing with cores and filters to find the best match for tuning each console to my preferences is a big part of the experience, even if the results aren’t always perfect.
With that out of the way, let my reckless spending be your informed decision, as we break down the highs and lows of devices in the 1:1.
Powkiddy RGB30
To realize that it has been less than two years since the release of the Powkiddy RGB30 in preparation for this article was somewhat jarring. What was, at the time, a new fun option for different ways to play your favorite games of old in a square aspect ratio has become something of a standard offering for every company in the scene. It already feels like a device that has always just been there. Part of the space.
My favorite GBC screen experience
In a lot of ways, the RGB30 signaled my descent into the collection abyss. It was just different enough to warrant an additional purchase beyond the handhelds I’d already bought at the time. Fast-forward to today, and I see where “just different enough” takes me – into a house full of handhelds. My pleas to Powkiddy for a revision have so far fallen on deaf ears, but here’s to hold out hope, because I still think if they could solve a few annoyances (looking at you, battery), and iron a few hiccups out, you’d have a contender for the best of the bunch.
Game Console R46S
The R46S is an almost-there kind of handheld. It’s certainly miles better than the disaster that was the R40S, but it’s not doing anything to shed itself of a “cheap” moniker. There isn’t anything particularly wrong with the overall experience. I’ve quite enjoyed my time gaming on the system. It’s just that it doesn’t feel like quite as polished an experience as some of the other devices on the list. This might be expected for a budget “e-waste” handheld, but recent refinements in designs like the 36XX show that there is still room for improvement at a budget price point.
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The additional bezel at the bottom of the screen is more apparent than on the Powkiddy RGB30, and the fact that the included screen protector only covers the used portion of an all-black face makes it all the more noticeable. The R46S feels like a compromise in some ways, but it’ll still play the hell out of some TATE arcades.
Anbernic RG Cube
The RG Cube is one of those handhelds that’s great in theory, but you find that, for whatever reason, it just doesn’t quite click. That was me with the RG Cube. I think it’s great that it can play GameCube and PS2 titles stretched out to a 1:1 ratio. Some GameCube content scaled really well, but I just had better ways to play those games elsewhere. Cool as it was that I could, I never really felt compelled to do so. When you add in the fact that I spent something like $160 on the Cube around the time of launch, I’m left with some regrets about the purchase.
The Anbernic RG Cube on the Launchbox main screen
None of this is to say that the Cube isn’t a worthwhile handheld. It does everything it’s supposed to do. I’d just make sure that it’s the right one for you before you commit to the higher price tag. When I want content that fits best on this screen, it just tends to be the older stuff. I don’t need the extra power of the T820 and the headaches that come with using Android touch inputs on a device like this. The recent addition of GammaOS makes the experience much more manageable, and if you do decide to go with a Cube, I’d definitely recommend checking out the latest build.
Anbernic RG CubeXX
I only just received my RG CubeXX last week. I was done in by the latest AliExpress sale and the allure of fast local shipping. At $50, I really think the CubeXX is the best thing in the space. It perfectly strikes the balance of having the power to play the content that I want, in a comfortable ergonomic package, and a much easier price point to swallow when stacked next to its more formidable sibling.
That’s one amazing tater
The stock Anbernic Linux firmware offering is now actually quite nice to use, and I think the device form factor is much better suited for running something like this or a CFW offering vs Android. It’s just less clunky and more at home here.
Game Console R36Plus
The Game Console R36Plus – We think…
The R36Plus is one that a lot of people may not have had the chance to try, just because it came out at a time this year when shipping uncertainties were prominent. Hopefully, it can still find an audience, because it deserves to. I found myself picking back up on my Super Punchout save state from a few months ago when writing this article, and I’m reminded that this thing is worthwhile (clones are a different story).
A vibrant 1:1 screen experience
The R36Plus is a 1:1 version of the R36XX, which is, itself, the R36S with Wi-Fi. As someone who has always loved the R36S, I think a 1:1 configuration makes sense, and while I’ll admit it doesn’t get the attention some of the others on the list do when it comes to playtime, I still think it’s worth a look if you like a DMG design. Plus, the shade of translucent blue that mine came in is just awesome.
Game Console R36MAX
It’s an odd one
Overshadowed by its garish design choices, the R36MAX probably lost out on a bit of its potential audience. The designers decided that a football/soccer theme was appropriate (along with hearts for Start/Select?) for this release for some reason. It takes what is otherwise a competent vertical 1:1 handheld and unnecessarily cheapens the entire experience. A decent enough gameplay experience is hampered by cheap-feeling plastics, rattling triggers, and just a feeling that this was intended as an e-waste throwaway vs something someone could treasure.
Design choices were made
Perhaps there is something lost in translation from the intentions of the designers, but this one really isn’t worth owning as anything more than an amusing oddity. And certainly not in a world where the R36S Plus exists as a similarly priced option.
Which Square Has the Space Cornered?
I’ll forever have a soft spot for the RGB30 and still think it’s a fantastic device, but the RG CubeXX has won me over. Simply put, it is the easiest way to dive into this aspect ratio with the best of everything. It feels like the device that’s the most well-thought-out, balanced, and just generally feels nice in a way some of the others can’t quite manage. Given that recent AliExpress sales have seen them drop to ~$50 with shipping inside the US, it’s difficult to argue that there’s a better overall value proposition in the space.
RG CubeXX (1:1 screen) running Tetris
There are cases to be fought for the strengths of all of these handhelds, and I should point out that these were all my pickups, not review units for the website. I like singing the praises of these devices because I’m still amazed at how far we’ve come in just a few short years. Budget balanced with impressive performance, and hopefully, at the end of the day, a good time gaming. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go peruse the RH Toy Barn for a used ZPG A1 Unicorn. Haven’t tried that one yet…
Check out all the devices on the list on our Handheld Deals site.
Did your favorite make the list? I certainly don’t have them all. Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
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What version of Tetris is that running in the final image? I don’t recognize that one.