Anbernic RG G01 Review: Not Quite There

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📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG G01 Review: Not Quite There

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg-g01-review/

If you thought “another cheap controller with a screen” was just a gimmick, meet the Anbernic RG G01 – a $40‑ish joystick that actually tries to be clever (it even tracks your heart rate). On paper it’s impressive: 2.5‑inch IPS display, electro‑inductive sticks, Hall‑effect triggers, 1 kHz polling and a 21‑hour battery. In practice the execution feels half‑baked.

The button feel is a mixed bag. Micro‑switch face buttons have a tiny travel that some will love, while the short‑throw trigger toggle is oddly loose and hard to confirm when it clicks. The D‑pad sits too high and can be a pain to reinstall without bending clips. Sticks and long‑throw triggers, however, are solid and drift‑free.

Ergonomics suffer from the added screen height; shoulder buttons become fiddly after a few rounds of shooters or racers. Extras like macro buttons, gyro, vibration and a phone mount work, but they’re cramped or flimsy. The on‑device software is functional yet clunky, and the heart‑rate sensor takes forever to activate – you’ll probably never use it.

Bottom line: the RG G01 isn’t broken, just over‑promised for its price. If you really want a built‑in screen, wait for a sale on the Manba One or stick with proven sub‑$50 options like the Fantech EOS Pro IIS. Otherwise, there are better bang‑for‑your‑buck controllers out there.

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