Anbernic RG35XXSP
A Linux-based handheld clone of the Game Boy Advance SP.
The Anbernic RG35XXSP is a Linux-based handheld game console from Chinese manufacturer Anbernic, released in 2024. Its design closely mirrors Nintendo's 2003 Game Boy Advance SP, but unlike that system, it is digital-only and runs ROMs from a MicroSD card via emulation. The console has a standard-definition IPS screen and can emulate games up to the Dreamcast era, with extra buttons added to support this range. It comes in several colors, including transparent plastic variants.
Critics gave the RG35XXSP positive reviews, highlighting its design, powerful processor, high-quality screen, and low price. However, they noted that emulation performance was inconsistent, often requiring RetroArch for better results, and the lack of an analog stick made some games unplayable.
The device is slightly wider and thicker than the Game Boy Advance SP but still fits snugly in an official SP carrying case. It adds two extra action buttons (X and Y), two additional shoulder buttons, and a menu button. Instead of a power switch, it has a power button and reset key, plus a rocker switch for volume. On top, there is a USB-C port for charging and a Mini-HDMI port for connecting to a TV.
Its 3.5-inch screen has a 4:3 aspect ratio at 640x480 resolution. The onboard emulator adds borders to simulate the aspect ratio of Game Boy or Game Boy Advance games. Internally, it uses an Allwinner H700 chipset running a Linux-based OS, with up to 8 hours of battery life.
Wesley Copeland of GamesRadar+ gave it 4/5 stars, praising the screen as a key feature and calling it a "monumental steal" and "a beaming neon middle finger to the bloated aftermarket prices" of the Game Boy Advance SP, given its US$64.99 price. Matt S. of Digitally Downloaded said its battery was its greatest feature, calling it one of Anbernic's finest "by a long way," and noted he bought one despite his ROG Ally making many emulator consoles obsolete. Joel Loynds of Dexerto also rated it 4/5 stars, calling it an "absolute joy to play games on."
Damien McFerran of Time Extension gave it 9/10 stars, stating its screen was far superior to the improved AGS-101 Game Boy Advance SP model in color, viewing angles, and contrast. He praised the design and battery life, calling it one of Anbernic's best products to date.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Anbernic
- Generation
- Ninth
- Os
- Linux
- Cpu
- Allwinner H700
- Memory Card
- MicroSD card
- Release Date
- June 2024
- Cpu Speed
- 1.5 GHz
- Memory
- 1 GB
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The RG35XXSP was designed as a modern homage to the Game Boy Advance SP, sharing its clamshell form factor and overall dimensions—though slightly wider and thicker, it fits tightly in an official SP carrying case. Unlike its inspiration, the console is digital-only, relying on emulation to play games from MicroSD cards. It adds extra buttons beyond the original: two additional action buttons (X and Y), two extra shoulder buttons, and a menu button. The system uses a power button and reset key instead of a power switch, and a rocker switch for volume control rather than a slider. On the top, it includes a USB-C port for charging and a Mini-HDMI port for television output. The 3.5-inch screen has a 4:3 aspect ratio at 640x480 resolution, and the onboard emulator adds a border to simulate the aspect ratio of Game Boy or Game Boy Advance games. The console is sold in several colors, some using transparent plastic.
Reader's Guide
The RG35XXSP was positively received by critics, who highlighted its design, powerful processor, high-quality screen, and price point. Wesley Copeland of GamesRadar+ rated it 4/5 stars, calling the screen one of its best features and a main draw, and described the US$64.99 price as a 'monumental steal' compared to inflated aftermarket prices of the Game Boy Advance SP. Matt S. of Digitally Downloaded praised the battery as the console's greatest feature, calling it one of Anbernic's finest 'by a long way,' and noted he purchased one despite owning a ROG Ally. Joel Loynds of Dexerto also gave it 4/5 stars, calling it an 'absolute joy to play games on.' Damien McFerran of Time Extension rated it 9/10, stating the screen was greatly superior even to the improved AGS-101 model of the Game Boy Advance SP in color, viewing angles, and contrast, and praised the design and battery life. However, he expressed concerns about the tactile button feedback, calling it 'off-putting,' the lack of an analog stick, and the 'half-baked' sleep mode, noting the stock OS needed more development. Critics also noted that emulation performance was hit-or-miss, suffering without the use of RetroArch, and the absence of an analog stick rendered certain games unplayable. Despite these issues, McFerran recommended it as an alternative for those seeking a Game Boy Advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anbernic RG35XXSP?
The Anbernic RG35XXSP is a 2024 Linux-based handheld console produced by the Chinese company Anbernic. It mirrors the clamshell silhouette of Nintendo's 2003 Game Boy Advance SP, but it is fully digital and loads emulated ROMs from a MicroSD card rather than cartridges.
What are Anbernic RG35XXSP's powers/role?
Driven by an Allwinner H700 processor and a 3.5-inch 640x480 IPS panel, the device emulates titles spanning from early handhelds up through the Dreamcast era. Anbernic added extra face buttons beyond the classic GBA layout specifically to map controls for that wider range of games.
Why is Anbernic RG35XXSP important?
It delivered a near-identical GBA SP form factor to the Linux emulation community at a price well below comparable retro handhelds. Reviewers highlighted its crisp IPS screen, capable H700 chip, and multiple colorways—including transparent shells—as standout value in the 2024 market.
What makes Anbernic RG35XXSP different from the original Game Boy Advance SP?
Despite the shared clamshell shape and button arrangement, the RG35XXSP has no cartridge slot and instead reads game files off a MicroSD card. It runs a Linux operating system rather than Nintendo's proprietary firmware, and its IPS display replaces the original's TN panel.
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