Anbernic RG Cube Review: A Jaw-Dropping Blend of Nostalgia and Neon

Look, I get it. Another handheld gaming device hitting the market? Groundbreaking. But before you roll your eyes and click away faster than you’d dodge a blue shell in Mario Kart, hear me out. The Anbernic RG Cube isn’t just another piece of plastic trying to separate you from your hard-earned cash – though let’s be honest, it’s definitely trying to do that too.

After spending way too many hours with this little cube of gaming potential (and yes, I’m calling it that because someone at Anbernic clearly thought “let’s make it square and call it a day”), I’ve got some thoughts. Spoiler alert: they’re not all sunshine and RGB lighting effects.

What Makes the Anbernic RG Cube Actually Special

Here’s where I’ll give credit where it’s due – the Anbernic RG Cube packs some serious heat under its deceptively simple exterior. We’re talking about a Unisoc T820 processor that’s supposedly powerful enough to handle everything from classic arcade games to modern Android titles like Genshin Impact. Because nothing says “productive workday” like farming artifacts on your lunch break, right?

The 3.95-inch IPS screen with its 720×720 resolution might not win any awards for innovation (seriously, who decided square screens were the future?), but it gets the job done. The multi-touch functionality means you can actually navigate Android games without wanting to throw the device across the room – a feature that’s apparently revolutionary in 2024.

But here’s where things get interesting (or ridiculous, depending on your perspective): those RGB lighting effects. The Anbernic RG Cube comes with 16 million color options because, apparently, we’ve reached the point where our gaming devices need to look like miniature raves. You can choose from constant light, breath, rainbow, marquee, chasing, and “gaming” effects. What exactly constitutes a “gaming” light effect? Your guess is as good as mine.

Performance That’ll Make You Question Your Life Choices

Let’s talk about what really matters – can this thing actually run games without making you question every purchasing decision you’ve ever made? The answer is… mostly yes, with a healthy dose of “it depends.”

The Anbernic RG Cube handles retro gaming like a champ. PSP games? Smooth as butter. Nintendo DS titles? No problems here. Even some GameCube games run surprisingly well, though you might need to adjust your expectations if you’re hoping for consistent 60fps on the more demanding titles.

Where things get spicy is with those Android games. Sure, it can technically run Genshin Impact, but “can run” and “should run” are two very different things. You’ll get playable framerates on medium settings, which is honestly more impressive than it has any right to be for a $149 device. But let’s not pretend this is going to replace your gaming phone anytime soon.

The 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM keeps things relatively smooth when multitasking, and the 128GB of UFS2.2 storage (expandable to 2TB via microSD) means you won’t immediately run out of space for your digital hoarding habits.

Battery Life: A Mixed Bag of Emotions

Anbernic claims the RG Cube offers 7 hours of battery life, and in my testing, that’s… optimistic. Playing demanding Android games will drain that 5200mAh battery faster than your motivation on a Monday morning. Retro gaming, on the other hand, can stretch closer to that 7-hour mark, assuming you’re not running those RGB lights at full blast like some sort of gaming peacock.

The 3-hour charging time via USB-C is reasonable, though I can’t help but wonder why we’re still dealing with 5V/2A charging in 2024. But hey, at least they included the cable in the box – truly living in luxury.

The Android 13 Experience: It’s Complicated

Running Android 13 on the Anbernic RG Cube is a good thing and a bad thing. On one hand, you get access to the entire Google Play Store, which means endless possibilities for gaming and entertainment. On the other hand, you’re dealing with an Android device that’s clearly optimized for gaming rather than general smartphone tasks (but that are you really getting this for a phone aspect?).

The interface is clean enough, though navigating with those analog sticks can feel clunky when you’re trying to do anything that wasn’t designed with a controller in mind. But let’s be real – you’re not buying this thing to browse Instagram or check your emails.

Build Quality: Surprisingly Solid (Literally)

I’ll give Anbernic this – the RG Cube feels substantial in your hands. The build quality is surprisingly good for the price point, with solid button feedback and analog sticks that don’t feel like they’ll snap off if you look at them wrong. The ergonomics are decent for extended gaming sessions, though your mileage may vary depending on your hand size.

The four color options (Gray, Black, Beige White, and Radiant Purple) all look appropriately serious, assuming you can resist the urge to turn on those RGB effects and transform your handheld into a mobile disco.

The Verdict: Should You Buy the Anbernic RG Cube?

Here’s the thing about the Anbernic RG Cube – it’s genuinely impressive for what it is, but what it is might not be what you need. If you’re looking for the ultimate retro gaming handheld with the bonus ability to run some Android games, you could do a lot worse for $149.

But if you’re hoping this will replace your gaming laptop, phone, or any other primary gaming device, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment faster than a pre-order for the next Cyberpunk game.

The Anbernic RG Cube excels at being a specialized device for a specific type of gamer – someone who wants portable retro gaming with the occasional modern Android title thrown in for good measure. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone, and honestly, that’s probably for the best.

So, is the Anbernic RG Cube worth your money? If you’ve made it this far through my rambling review without closing the tab, you probably already know the answer. Just don’t blame me when you find yourself explaining to your significant other why you “needed” another gaming device, complete with customizable RGB lighting effects.