The Miyoo Mini Plus and Anbernic RG35XX are perpetually neck-and-neck at the top of the sub-$70 retro handheld market. Both offer impressive performance for the price, but they make very different design choices. Here's the definitive breakdown.
Design & Ergonomics
The Miyoo Mini Plus wins on ergonomics. Its wider, landscape form factor with a textured grip shell is more comfortable for long sessions compared to the RG35XX's vertical Game Boy-style layout.
The RG35XX wins on portability — it fits in a shirt pocket.
Display
| Feature | Miyoo Mini Plus | Anbernic RG35XX | |---------|----------------|-----------------| | Screen Size | 3.5" | 3.5" | | Resolution | 640×480 | 640×480 | | Panel Type | IPS | IPS | | Brightness | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Both displays are excellent for the price. The RG35XX edges ahead in peak brightness.
Emulation Performance
Both devices perform nearly identically for the classics — NES, SNES, GBA, and PS1. The differentiation comes at the edges:
- N64: Both struggle. Avoid if N64 is a priority.
- PS1: Both excel. Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot — no issues.
- Dreamcast: RG35XX is slightly better due to driver maturity.
The Verdict
Choose the Miyoo Mini Plus if: You prioritize comfort and a great software ecosystem (Onion OS). Choose the Anbernic RG35XX if: You want maximum portability and a slightly brighter display.
At $55–$65, you honestly can't go wrong with either. Buy whichever is in stock.