The Anbernic 353, now with an alloy shell and some exciting tweaks.
The RG353 has already made waves with its successful release in both P and V variants. Now, for fans of alloy shells, we have the RG353M, offering a more substantial and premium feel to the handheld device. It retains the RK3566 processor and 2GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance for your gaming adventures. Additionally, the shoulder buttons have received a subtle redesign, for a better gaming experience.
But that’s not all—the RG353M provides flexibility with boot options, allowing you to choose between Android and Linux operating systems to suit your preferences. Whether you’re into classic gaming or exploring new possibilities, the RG353M has you covered with its sleek design and versatile functionality.
The 353M takes compactness to the next level, being slightly smaller than the 351MP and noticeably thinner by almost 3mm.
One of the first visual changes you’ll notice is the absence of the Anbernic logo from the screen bezel. This contributes to a sleeker and more modern aesthetic, making the console even more visually appealing.
Despite its smaller size, the 353M doesn’t compromise on comfort. Its reduced dimensions and weight make it a delight to hold during extended gaming sessions.
Impressively, the 353M weighs in at just 230 grams, a mere 15 grams more than the 353P. This is particularly noteworthy considering its alloy shell. What’s more, you still retain essential features like WiFi, Bluetooth, and HDMI out, while also benefiting from improved joystick controls. It’s a testament to Anbernic’s commitment to delivering both portability and performance in their handheld consoles.
What games can the RG353M emulate?
Like the P and V it plays N64, DS well. Most PlayStation titles run smoothly while some Dreamcast titles may struggle. All the classics be it Arcade, Atari, GameBoy etc will emulate well on any of the 353 range of consoles.
PS2 and Gamecube are out of reach for the 353 range of consoles.
The 353M differentiators are the alloy body and hall sensor joysticks for greater accuracy. Compared to the 353V you have better spaced-out joysticks, a comfier feel and stereo speakers, while against the 353P it’s the different heavier shell and joysticks.
Whether it’s the M, P or V, there’s likely an RG353 console that best suits you.
Being dual boot capable, you can turn it on and go straight into the Android 11 interface. In Android emulation, 2x resolution is achievable on games and consoles like DS, N64, SNES and so on.
If the TF1 microSD card is inserted into the console upon startup it will boot into the default Linux system that uses the Emulationstation and RetroArch interface.
You can switch between the two during the turn-on process by holding the Power and Function buttons at the same time.
Custom Firmware takes Anbernic consoles to the next level as they have a better interface and improved performance. The good news is that custom firmware like Jelos that’s already on the 353P and V is also compatible with the M, so you can get the most out of your console without the wait.
The 353M is a tad smaller than the 351MP making it a good portable handheld console and meaning the standard 351 travel case is well suited to it.
Bought an Anbernic RG353M. Love it fast postage and the team replied quickly with questions about the product before purchasing!
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Dwayne
Fantastic console
Beautiful build quality, surprising capabilities. The metal shell is gorgeous, button feedback is amazing. The dpad is the best I've ever used, incredible for fighting games. The thumbsticks are tight and responsive. Between linux and android, the compatibility and performance covers everything I want. Linux is better polished and better for everything other than n64, psp and Quake, everything else should be run under linux. Switching between linux and android is as simple as rebooting and holding the function button. There are a few software quirks, and a little bit of retroarch knowledge helps solve any issues. Big fan of the stock linux OS, though there are plenty of other options available. Thanks electroarcade.
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Chris
AWESOME retro-gaming handheld!
This is my first retro handheld and the 353M has lived up to my expectations. Build quality is excellent with a metal case and top quality buttons. The screen and sound is tremendous and will not disappoint. Learning how to add games was not difficult as you essentially drop them into pre-created directories in the correct format and boom, games are ready to go without a problem. Plenty of good sources online for ROMs (i.e. the games) themselves and Screenscraper.fr is the way to go to add game descriptions, ratings, box art and so on to round out the experience. I've had no issue adding thousands of games for Atari, C64 and PSX. ElectroArcade were fabulous to deal with and great with comms. Paul took the time to answer my stupid questions (many thanks) and my experience was he put me as the customer first. Easy purchase. Quick delivery. Packaging provided good protection for the handheld too, which shouldn't be underestimated. Top marks. If you want to check out a good independent review in addition to what ElectroArcade have online, look up RetroGameCorps review of the 353M. As a first time handheld, you can't go wrong.
