Buy the Anbernic RG556 here: https://joeysrh.link/ANB_RG556
Recommended Accessories
- MicroSD Card: 512GB or 1TB (since the Anbernic RG556 can play even Switch games, you want the largest you can afford)
- MicroSD Card Reader: UGREEN SD Card Reader
- HDMI Out: UGREEN USB C to HDMI Cable (Be aware, dock’s aren’t recommended for the RG556 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
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!
Hi, what will happen if I decide to upgrade anbernic soft (it is available – pop-up message in the notification bar) after I configure the handheld your way? All work went to waste? Greetings
Hey Joey!
One question!
I own a rg556! I did some setup based on your guide but I want to know if I’ll do a factory reset instead of deleting one one the apps will be safe? I mean I will not lose fota update etc? Because it’s easier and cleaner for me to do the setup like this ( I will prepare a new SD card for Roms bios)
Thank you in advance
do i put both cue and bin files in the BIOS folder?
Hey Joey, congrats on your channel! Huge thanks from the community for your amazing videos—really appreciate the info you share. I have an issue with my RG556: L2 and R2 don’t let me navigate through systems in Daijisho. Any idea how to fix this? Thanks in advance!
Hey, push and hold on the Ns mode toggle and choose Both.
Please help!! I’m not very tech savvy, just got an rg556 and I can’t get any ps2 games that I’ve put on to work. I’ve downloaded the rom and moved it on to the PS2 folder that was already on the SD card that came with the console. The game then appears on the ambernic ps2 section but when I try to play it, the screen turns to the PS2 “please insert disc”. I’ve downloaded about 7 games and they all do it. Thanks Steve.
Hi, when I shut down or turn off Anbernic RG556, the LED lights around the joysticks come on. This drains the battery completely within 3 days of non-use. Is there any way to turn off the LED completely without it coming back on after shutdown?
Hey Joey… in your patreon, do you have a place there where someone could download your own curated library?
No I do not.
Hi I followed all the instructions but ps1 controls don’t seem to work. The x button goes to retro arch and start button goes to dijisho. Hope you can help I’m so confused
is it possible to remap the R button to be the retroarch hotkey?
How to remove the screen display that there when I start a game?
Thanks for the guide!
One question: Can I use the Ugreen or Anker 65W PD charger with a USB C-to-C to charge thd RG556?
I am just asking because the manual states 5V 2A.
Thanks!
I have been without issue, but if you want to play it safe, use the A to C.
Thanks a lot!
If it worked for you, I am confident enough to try it as well 🙂