RG351M/P/V – Tips, Help and Resources

Last Update: 3/18/2021

Welcome to the RG351 page where we’ll discuss the RG351M and the RG351V. The content on this page will certainly grow over time, much like the RG-350 tips page did here. However, my goal with this new page is to make it much easier to navigate and find the information you’re interested in.

If you find some interesting tips and recommendations of your own that you’d like to share for use on this page, please comment in the video below and let me know.

Best Regards,

Jon


RG351V – Wood Grain

Video: Anbernic RG351V – Unboxing, Game Play & Review

The RG351V Retro Game (RG) handheld has built-in WiFi and comes in 3 variants including gray, black transparent and wood grain! This vertically oriented Anbernic device sports the familiar RK3326 CPU but with a 640×480 display (4:3), let’s check it out!

Helpful Resources


RG351M – First Look!

In this video, we will take a look at the new RG-351M with built-in WiFi and an aluminum shell. This is the latest addition to the Anbernic RG (Retro Game) family. While it shares most of the specifications with the RG351p there are a few differences between the two: an Aluminum shell and built-in WiFi (some early RG351P’s did have built-in WiFi). Let’s talk about it…


MashTec Video: RG351M – Review – The new premium metal retrogaming handheld from Anbernic

It’s always best to get a 2nd opinion when buying a new device, let’s see what MashTec has to say about the RG351M (video to the right)!

Today we’re gonna take a look at Anbernic’s new premium retro gaming handheld, the RG351M. Again, Anbernic released a metal version of it’s latest retro gaming handheld. In this video, we’re gonna take a closer look at it and check out it’s changes compared to the previous RG351P version. What’s really new about it? What can you expect from it, what could Anbernic have done better with their new model and will it really be worth an upgrade? This is what we want to find out today. Let’s get started…


Specifications

The following are the specifications for the RG351M:

  • CPU: RK3326 1.5GHz (it may be 1.3GHz, not 1.5Ghz – See discussions here)
  • GPU: Mali-G31 MP2
  • OS: EmuElec v3.8 (not OpenDingux)
  • 1GB DDR3L RAM
  • 3.5″ IPS display (320×480 on the RG351M, 640×480 on the RG351V)
  • Aluminum alloy shell on the RG351M / Plastic on the RG351V
  • Built-in WiFi
  • 3500mAh Battery on the RG351M (~8 hrs.) & 3900mAh on the RG351V (~8 hrs.)
  • Colors: Black / Gray (RG351M) or Transparent Black, Gray and Wood-Grain on the RG351V.
  • microSD 64GB Storage (up to 256GB) on the RG351M / 16GB Firmware & 64GB Games microSD on the RG351V (x2 microSD slots).

FREE Handheld Retro Gaming Stand (3D Print) – fits the RG351M/P (and others) check it out here. This is the same stand used in many of my Retro Gaming Handheld videos and a nice way to display your cool new device. It was designed by me and is free for you. Enjoy!


Helpful Resources

Related Facebook Groups


ArkOS

*NOTE: Not yet for the RG351V

In my experience with the RG351M thus far, I prefer to run ArkOS over EmuElec. There are a number of reasons for this which I’ve documented on the following page.


Helpful Tips

TipDetails
Safe ShutdownHolding down the power button to shutdown the RG351 will result in a dirty shutdown which could result in file corruption. Instead, from the Main Menu press the Select button and press A on SHUTDOWN SYSTEM, then YES. This will cleanly shutdown and power off your device.
Charging RG351MFor charging the RG351M, you should use a power adapter which supplies 5volts/2Amps ( Example here ).
Larger microSD cardThe included microSD will suffice for getting started, but you may prefer a more reputable brand, such as: Samsung, SanDisk or Gigastone. Or if you want to try out alternate operating systems such as ArkOS.

Button Layout and Settings

The following will identify the button layout on the RG351M as well as demonstrate the general button functions and System / Emulator operations. The button layout below corresponds to the EmuElec button layout (OS included with the RG351M) and may differ with alternate operating systems. The buttons shown in the diagram below correspond to the bold items shown in the tables.

RG351M Button Layout

General Button Operations

ButtonFunctionButtonFunction
1L17D-Pad (Up/Down/Left/Right)
2L28Action Buttons A/B/X/Y
3R29Volume Control
4R110Left Analog Stick or Press Down
for L3
5Select11Right Analog Stick or Press Down
for L4
6Start12Reset

Main System Interface

Once entering the main interface, see the table below for key operations.

ButtonButton Location
(above)
Function
A8Enter or confirm
B8Return / Cancel or bring up a Quick menu
Start6Main Menu Settings – Game, UI, Network, etc. Start again to return.
Select5Restart or Shutdown settings.. B (8) to return. *NOTE – use this to properly shutdown the system.
L2 / R22 /3Skip left/right through emulator list
D-Pad Left / Right7Cycle through Emulators

Emulator Selected

Once an emulator is selected from the main menu, the following will apply.

System Function Notes
Emulator SelectedSelect (11)Enters the options menu. Press once to enter the Options, a 2nd time to exit. Options allow changing the sort, list style and more.
Game List L2 (2) / R2 (3) Press L2 or R2 to page up/down through the game list.

Game Operation

Once an emulator has been selected and a game launched, the following table will apply.

Emulator Action Notes
Save StateR3 (11) + R1 (4)Saves the state in the current game (RetroArch emulators only).
Load StateR3 (11) +L1 (1)Loads the previously saved game state (RetroArch emulators only).
Show FPS (Frames per seconds)R3 (11)+ R2 (3)Shows / hides Frames per seconds (FPS).
Wheel Volume up/down (9) Adjust the volume level up/down
Arcade (FBA, MAME, Capcom, etc.)Select (5)Insert coin
Arcade (FBA, MAME, Capcom, etc.) Start (6)Start the game
Exit MAMER3 (11)If in-game, move down and select Exit. Otherwise, the game will exit after pressing the action button.
Exit RetroArch EmulatorsPress L3 (10) / R3 (11) at the same timeAfter pressing the action buttons, select Close Content and press A. Then press up and select Quit RetroArch.
DS (Drastic)Enter Configuration menuPress the L3 (10) button. Use the D-Pad buttons (7) to navigate the options.
DS (Drastic)Exit EmulatorStart (6) + A (8)

Change Log

  • 2021-3-18 – Added RG351V video / content.
  • 2021-1-23 – Added MashTec’s review of the RG351m, with his approval.
  • 2021-1-20 – Added ArkOS and Daphne Installation instructions.
  • 2021-1-16 – Made the initial page public