Anbernic RG556

The Verdict

This is Anbernic's weird vertical Android experiment with a stunning AMOLED screen. The form factor is love-it-or-hate-it — I love it for arcade games, hate it for everything else. The screen is legitimately beautiful, but the ergonomics are divisive. If you play a lot of shmups, Neo Geo, or arcade fighters, this is peak. For traditional platformers? You'll wish you bought something else.

First Thing to Do

1. **Update Android** — Anbernic's firmware updates fix bugs, grab the latest

2. **Install Daijishō** — Reset Collection also works great on this

3. **Set up RetroArch** — Your one-stop for classic arcade and retro systems

4. **Download PPSSPP** — PSP emulation is fantastic here

5. **Test the HDMI out** — If you have a USB-C to HDMI cable, this doubles as a console

The Loadout

→**Arcade (MAME/FBNeo):** RetroArch (this is what the vertical screen was made for)

→**Neo Geo:** RetroArch FBNeo core (Metal Slug looks incredible on AMOLED)

→**PSP:** PPSSPP (3x resolution, locked 60fps)

→**PS2:** NetherSX2 (many games run at native/2x res)

→**GameCube:** Dolphin MMJR2 (stick to native resolution for best results)

→**Wii:** Dolphin MMJR2 (many titles playable at native)

→**Dreamcast:** Flycast (perfect)

→**PS1:** Duckstation (enhanced resolution looks amazing)

→**N64:** M64Plus FZ (every game runs great)

→**Switch:** Eden or Citron (lighter titles only)

→**Classic consoles:** RetroArch cores

What It Crushes

→**Arcade games** — Vertical screen + AMOLED = arcade perfection. Donkey Kong, Galaga, shmups, all gorgeous.

→**Neo Geo fighters** — Metal Slug, King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown look *unreal*

→**PSP library** — Crisis Core, God of War, Persona 3 Portable all run beautifully

→**Dreamcast** — Crazy Taxi, Jet Grind Radio, Power Stone all locked 60fps

What It Struggles With

→**Ergonomics for long sessions** — Your hands will cramp after an hour of traditional games

→**PS2 demanding titles** — God of War 2, Shadow of the Colossus will drop frames at higher res

→**GameCube heavy hitters** — F-Zero GX and Rogue Squadron will struggle

→**Switch** — Lighter titles work, demanding ones don't

Skip These

→**PS3** — No Android emulator exists

→**Xbox 360** — No Android emulator

→**Long RPGs** — The ergonomics aren't great for 50-hour adventures

Pro Tips

1. **The AMOLED screen is a game-changer for 2D games** — Blacks are TRUE black, colors pop

2. **Use this vertically for arcade, horizontally for everything else** — The screen rotates

3. **Dual MicroSD slots = one for Android, one for ROMs** — Great for organization

4. **HDMI output turns this into a mini console** — Pair with a Bluetooth controller for couch gaming

Worth It?

Only if you love arcade games or want that AMOLED screen badly. At $189, it's competing with devices like the Retroid Flip 2, which have better ergonomics for traditional gaming. But if you're a shmup junkie or Neo Geo fanatic, the vertical screen and AMOLED display make this a no-brainer. For everyone else, there are better options.