If you read our review of the original ANBERNIC RGCUBE or watched our video review on YouTube, you’ll know that I said that it was “overpowered” and that I would have loved to of seen a cheaper, less powerful version…
Well, it’s as if ANBERNIC listened and are now releasing a more affordable version of this device featuring a Mali H700 CPU to add to their line of XX devices, just like the RG40XXV and the RG40XXH. I feel like this is a great move by ANBERNIC, and it will make this one of the best 1:1 retro handhelds on the market, especially if they price it similar to their recent XX devices, sitting between $60 – $90.
However, I do feel like ANBERNIC will annoy a few RGCUBE customers with this announcement, because the original costs well over $180, and now just a few months later a less powerful variant is here for likely half the price. ANBERNIC should have launched the cheaper one first, and then a powerful version later, but I guess there’s a financial incentive to not do that, which is very… ANBERNIC.
Do you agree with me here? I’d love to know your thoughts using our new comments section below.
The RG CUBEXX was announced on ANBERNIC’s official YouTube channel today, and showcases an identical look with a new Grey DMG colour-way. It looks like it will keep the same 3.95″ IPS Display that has a resolution of 720 x720 (although nowhere states that this one has a touchscreen), alongside the great buttons and average LED hall-joysticks. It’s a Linux bases system so no Android on here (unlike the original) and you’ll have a 5G WiFi module for OTA updates and Moonlight streaming, alongside Bluetooth 4.2 to connect your favourite bluetooth controllers.
ANBERNIC states that this can emulate the following:
- Nintendo DS
- PICO8
- Game Boy
- Game Boy Color
- Game Boy Advance
- Famicom
- Playstation Portable
- Nintendo 64
- DOS
- Dreamcast
- Playstation 1
- SEGA Saturn
Which is all very likely true, because I have personally tested lots of H700 handhelds. The RG CUBEXX will be a very pleasant device for this type of emulation. Although it can’t emulate Gamecube games which the original RG CUBE can do, but not Playstation 2 emulation. Which makes me wonder who will pick the original over this?
Gamecube emulation is great on the original, but not enough to spend an extra $100 on. You may argue that the original RG CUBE has Android OS, but Android games and Cloud Streaming sucks on that 1:1 display, making me believe that ANBERNIC have just cornered their more powerful RGCUBE, likely suppressing sales.
I hope that ANBERNIC can price this competitively and still keep the great build quality, lovely display and fantastic ergonomics of the RC CUBE because it is a great device, it was just overpowered and expensive for what it does, so I believe, this handheld will do quite well, especially for those that are on the mrket for a squared display retro handheld.
As of now there is no official release date, but it is very likely that it will release before Christmas and be priced below $100. But that’s just my guess.
