Anbernic RG477M Review: A Year Later, Still One of the Best Retro Handhelds

Introduction

The Anbernic RG477M has been out for about a year now, and it has aged remarkably well. It remains one of the most compelling retro handhelds on the market, especially for those who prioritize classic 4:3 gaming. With a premium metal shell, a 4.7 inch 120 Hz display, and a powerful processor, it delivers an experience that feels elevated from the start. It is not a cheap device, but for the right person, it can be exactly what they are looking for.

A Year with the RG477M

The RG477M is a 4:3 aspect ratio handheld that is essentially cranked up to its maximum potential. It features a beautiful metal shell, a 4.7 inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, and excellent controls. It is also the premier Anbernic handheld, housing the most powerful processor the company has released on Android to date. This combination makes it a very specific niche product, but one that delivers a pitch-perfect experience for retro gaming.

The device is not without its flaws. Early on, there were a few grievances, particularly on the right side. The fan was notably noisy, both from the hardware itself and from the software ramping it up quickly. Removing a wire mesh from the back plate helped improve airflow, and while it does not look as clean, it was well worth the effort. On the software side, updating to Gamma OS smoothed out the fan curves significantly, making the auto setting much more pleasant to use.

Screen and Software Experience

The screen is arguably the best part of the RG477M. With a resolution of 1280 by 960, it is not a perfect screen, but it is an ideal layout for classic 3D systems like Nintendo 64, PS1, and Dreamcast, which can be scaled at 2x or 4x with a perfect match. Even systems that are not an integer scale look very close and at a high resolution, making interpolation shaders largely unnecessary.

The Gamma OS software elevates the experience further. It makes it effortless to use features like black frame insertion (BFI) and global shaders. BFI, which inserts a black frame between every other frame, improves motion clarity and makes games feel more like playing on an old CRT TV. Gamma OS offers global BFI, so it can be used across all systems, not just within RetroArch. It does darken the screen, so brightness often needs to be cranked up to around 95 to 100 percent. There is also a periodic flicker every 30 seconds to prevent image retention, which some may find bothersome, but it is easy to get used to.

Controls and Build Quality

The controls on the RG477M are pitch perfect. The rubber membrane D-pad and face buttons have a classic feel, and combined with the metal shell, the device feels sturdy and premium. The D-pad is excellent in terms of diagonals and false diagonals. The analog sticks are hall sensor based, offering a wide range of motion, and the caps can be swapped for third-party alternatives.

One of the main complaints was the inline shoulder buttons, which are digital input. Third-party stacked shoulder buttons from an Etsy seller called Get Better Buttons are available for around $28. These resin buttons are a drop-in replacement and significantly improve the overall experience. They are slightly raised and nicely curved, making it easy to tell which is the shoulder button and which is the trigger. However, the triggers themselves remain digital, which can cause issues with certain games like Super Mario Sunshine. Workarounds exist, such as assigning analog input to the shoulder buttons and full button presses to the triggers, but it is not a perfect solution.

Performance and Battery Life

The RG477M is powered by a Dimensity 8300 chip, which is very powerful but uses Mali drivers, causing compatibility issues with certain systems like Switch emulation or PC gaming. For classic retro systems, however, it cuts through everything like butter. PS1, Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, and even Sega Saturn run effortlessly. Most PS2 and GameCube games can be played at 2x resolution, which scales perfectly to the screen.

Battery life is acceptable but not the best. It ranges from 3 to 6 hours when playing something like GameCube, and upwards of 8 hours or more when playing retro stuff. Using the 120 Hz screen with black frame insertion reduces battery life further. With Gamma OS performance profiles, the average is around 6 hours, which is good enough for most sessions.

Alternatives to Consider

There are several alternatives to the RG477M that may be a better fit depending on your priorities. The Anbernic RG476H is about $100 cheaper and features a plastic shell with stacked shoulder buttons and analog input. It is not as good for GameCube and PS2, and Sega Saturn is quite compromised, but everything below that plays just as well. If you are not prioritizing Gen 6 systems, this is a great budget option.

On the other hand, the Retroid Pocket 6 offers raw performance power at around the same price, starting at about $250. It has an OLED display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, making it more suited for wider systems like PSP, Switch, and Wii U. It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is quite a bit more powerful and has much higher compatibility. If you do not mind the wider screen, this is the better all-around option for modern gaming.

Conclusion

The Anbernic RG477M is not a handheld for everybody, but it is a fantastic choice for those who prioritize classic 4:3 gaming. The combination of the screen, controls, and power makes it an ideal way to play everything up through PS2 and GameCube. While it has its shortcomings, including the digital triggers and higher price, the overall experience is exceptional. For the right person, it is well worth the investment.