Anbernic RG40XX V and Romm App
Anbernic RG40XX V is a retro handheld console. A retro handheld console is a device that runs multiple emulators, allowing you to play games from older consoles. These devices have become increasingly popular in recent years and are available from many different manufacturers at a wide range of prices. The cheapest ones can be bought for around 50 euros, while the most expensive can cost several hundred euros.
A few months ago, I bought myself the Anbernic RG40XX V console. This console is on the cheaper end of the spectrum. It runs a customized Linux operating system. I bought mine directly from Anbernic, and it arrived from China within a couple of weeks.
The device is very well suited for playing games from older handheld consoles, such as the Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance. But it can also run PlayStation 1 games without any issues.
You can view the full specifications and comparisons with similar devices here: https://retrocatalog.com/retro-handhelds/rg-40xxv
Custom firmwares has also been released for this device by the open-source community. In general, these improve the device’s usability and also provide the ability to install unofficial applications directly through a separate app store PortMaster.
The three most well-known custom firmware supported by the Anbernic RG40XX V are Knulli, Mustard OS, and Rocknix. I tested all three of them, with Knulli being the most comprehensive overall, Mustard OS being the lightest and fastest, and Rocknix having a look very similar to Knulli, as both use the same Emulation Station user interface.
I ended up using Rocknix because it had one advantage over the others: it supports the WireGuard VPN. With it, I can securely connect the console to my home network services, specifically to the Romm App, which essentially functions as a game library.
There is also a public demo available from Romm App: https://demo.romm.app/
First, the Romm App Client must be installed on the console, which can be downloaded through PortMaster.
With this combination, managing games becomes very easy, and there’s no longer any need to transfer them via USB cable or memory card. And best of all, you can access your game collection anytime and anywhere.