Buy the Anbernic RG406H here: https://joeysrh.link/ANB_RG406H
Recommended Accessories
- MicroSD Card: 512GB or 1TB
- MicroSD Card Reader: UGREEN SD Card Reader
- HDMI Out: UGREEN USB C to HDMI Cable (Be aware, dock’s aren’t recommended for the RG406H as you cannot charge and do video out at the same time)
- Charger: UGREEN 65W Charger
Initial Setup Guide
- Prepare SD Card (Android): You can prepare your SD card ahead of time. Follow the steps on this page, and that will get you all setup to get everything you need before getting your device.
Recommended Settings
Recommended Emulators
RetroArch – For PlayStation 1 & Under
Here’s what we will use RetroArch for:
- Atari 2600
- Atari 5200
- Atari 7800
- Atari Lynx
- Arcade
- Nintendo Entertainment System
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Nintendo Game Boy/Game Boy Color
- Nintendo 64 (see M64Plus FZ Pro section below)
- Nintendo DS (see MelonDS section below)
- Sega 32X
- Sega Dreamcast
- Sega Genesis/Master System/Game Gear/CD
- Sega Saturn
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Sony PlayStation 1 (see DuckStation section below)
M64Plus FZ Pro – For Nintendo 64
For Nintendo 64 on Android, you want to use M64Plus FZ Pro UNLESS you need RetroAchievements, in which case I’d suggest the Mupen64Plus-Next GLES3 core in RetroArch.
The reason being, there’s a few games that are broken in RetroArch (Mario Golf, Pokemon Snap etc.), and then some other games that have texture issues (Mario Tennis etc.) that can be fixed in M64Plus FZ. M64Plus FZ has the best compatibility and so start there, but unfortunately just on Android, you will have a tough time with a few games if you want RetroAchievements.
MelonDS – For Nintendo DS (Optional)
For Nintendo DS, there are two options I would recommend. The RetroArch MelonDS DS core above, which is what I use and would highly recommend.
Or, you can install and use the standalone MelonDS app instead. The standalone MelonDS app has upscaling, where the MelonDS DS core does not, and would be the only current benefit to that option.
DuckStation – For Sony PlayStation 1 (Optional)
For Sony PlayStation 1, there are two options I would recommend.
The RetroArch SwanStation core is generally very good, and can be a good option if you want to stick to just using RetroArch for everything.
However, the standalone DuckStation app has better performance and is better for upscaling as well. There are many games (like Final Fantasy) that will have significant slowdown if you are upscaling on SwanStation, but not in DuckStation and so it ends up being a better choice overall.
Click here for my DuckStation setup guide
PPSSPP – For Sony PlayStation Portable
For Sony PlayStation Portable emulation, the best emulator for Android is PPSSPP from the Google Play Store. The paid version is only required if you want to support the developer, otherwise there’s no difference.
Click here for my PPSSPP setup guide.
Dolphin – For Nintendo GameCube & Wii
For Nintendo GameCube and Wii, the best emulator for Android is Dolphin and the Beta version from the Google Play Store. It’s very important that you enable/enroll in the Beta version on the Play Store page, as that will give you the most up to date version of the emulator, which matches the development version on their website.
Click here for my Dolphin setup guide
NetherSX2 Classic – For Sony PlayStation 2 – Classic
For Sony PlayStation 2 emulation, the current and best version is NetherSX2 – Classic.
Click here for my NetherSX2 setup guide
Azahar – For Nintendo 3DS
For Nintendo 3DS emulation, the best and current version is Azahar.
Click here for my Azahar setup guide
CEMU – For Nintendo Wii U
For Nintendo Wii U emulation, the best and current version is CEMU.
Click here for my CEMU setup guide
RPCSX – For Sony PlayStation 3
For Sony PlayStation 3 emulation, the best and current version is RPCSX.
Click here for my RPCSX setup guide
P8GO – For Pico-8
Click here for my Pico-8 on Android setup guide.
Recommended Frontends
ROMs/BIOS
If you’re looking for where to find ROMs and BIOS files, this video will help you.
Also, for the best BIOS files, you can see this list here: https://joeysretrohandhelds.com/guides/recommended-bios-files/.
Organizing ROMs/BIOS & File Types
If you’re curious what the best file types are for your ROMs, or how to organize everything, then this page will help: https://joeysretrohandhelds.com/guides/recommended-file-types-for-roms/.
How to find your saves & states
If you’re looking for your saves & states, you can find a list of emulators and where they are here: https://joeysretrohandhelds.com/guides/where-to-find-save-files-for-every-emulator-and-custom-firmware/.
Setting up Syncthing
How to setup streaming to your device
Anbernic RG406H Tweaks
Emulator Settings
- Dolphin: Set backend to Vulkan for much better performance.
- AetherSX2/NetherSX2: Set backend to Vulkan for much better performance.
Remap R button
Special thanks to hallstudios on Reddit for this!
- As default, the R button in the bottom left opens Anbernic’s RGLauncher frontend, and if you’re using a different frontend, no one wants that.
- Download & Install Root Uninstaller from here: https://root-uninstaller.en.malavida.com/android/ (be careful of ads, the download link is the big green one).
- Open the app on your device, click Search top right and search for RGLauncher. Tap it and then select Disable.
- Head to the Google Play Store, download and install Buttons Remapper: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.irishin.buttonsremapper
- Open the app, go through the setup, make sure that you enable it as an accessibility app. Then, click the plus icon bottom right, change Key to F10, Action to whatever you want that button to do now, I personally mapped it to open my frontend ES-DE, then click OK.
- Then, head to Android settings, Apps, See all apps, Buttons Remapper, Battery, set to Unrestricted.
- And you’re done!
Custom Operating System Options
Custom operating system is a replacement for the stock Android operating system that we setup above. GammaOS Next is currently the only and best option and will completely wipe your device, so be aware.
GammaOS Next
You can find the full setup guide for GammaOS Next here: GammaOS Next Setup Guide.