Anbernic has released a new firmware update for their RGXX line of devices. But with it came a highly controversial app that could skew how these handhelds and the retro community are viewed by the masses.

With the RGXX lines of devices, Anbernic has carved out a space in the retro community for budget, but “powerful enough” devices that net decent performance for most consoles up to the PS1. Relying on the H700 chipset inside, the devices rarely feature any other frills other than the overall design.

Because of their abundance, there are numerous CFW options available for gamers to use on any of the RGXX devices, like muOS, MinUI, or Knulli.

Piracy in the Limelight

Alongside these is the default Anbernic stock OS. Today, the stock firmware received an update, and it contains a new app that is seemingly solely used for downloading games for a variety of different consoles with little to no hassle.

The piracy app in question; Image via HyperPlay RPG

In the app, users can sort games by app-based recommendations, top downloads, or emulators. They can also search for a title and simply hit a download button and have it properly configured inside of the handheld’s game selection screen.

By having an app like this pre-installed on their devices going forward, Anbernic introduces a hurdle that the retro community has been dealing with since its inception. The hobby isn’t primarily built around the idea of piracy, and many content creators (RH included) strongly advise against it.

The retro gaming community hones in on the idea of reliving past nostalgia through these devices. For some, being able to have a collection of their own personal collection stored in their pocket, on a device that rivals their phone in size, makes the hobby captivating.

Is This Expected?

Numerous companies, including Anbernic, sell their devices with an optional SD card. That included SD card is usually flooded with poor rips and sometimes non-functional ROMs for various consoles. In most areas of the retro community, users will recommend people abandon the included SD card and replace it with a higher quality one with their own backups of games.

Anbernic has been one of the leaders in retro handhelds for quite some time. From their RG351 series devices up to their newest handheld, the RG34XX, the company has prioritized creating devices that make playing retro games easy and with a dash of nostalgia from the devices of yesterday.

However, with this new addition to their official firmware, it seems the company is slowly inching closer and closer to being associated with outright piracy. Being a Chinese company, the laws, regulations, and how they’re applied to those who may violate them differs from how things would normally be handled in the US. Because of that, we have no idea where this saga will end, or if it will at all.

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