Buy the Anbernic RG477M here: https://joeysrh.link/ANB_RG477M
Note: While the video was made for the T820 lineup, it works for the Anbernic RG477M as well.
Recommended Accessories
- MicroSD Card: 512GB or 1TB (since the Anbernic RG477M 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
- 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
Anbernic’s stock frontend, RGLauncher
If you want to use Anbernic’s stock frontend, the RGLauncher, then you can learn more about how it works and how to configure it using this guide > https://joeysretrohandhelds.com/guides/anbernics-rglauncher-setup-guide/.
Recommended Emulators
Obtainium (advanced users)
Obtainium is an application that will install, and keep all of the following emulators up to date (excluding M64Plus FZ). It does not set them up for you, just makes it easier to install them in one spot and in one application.
You can find my instructions for setting up Obtainium below, as well as installing each of the emulators, then you’d want to visit each of the individual emulator setup guides below to set them up.
Click here for my Obtainium setup guide
RetroArch – For PlayStation 1 & Under
For RetroArch, you want to use the Stable build, not the version off the Google Play Store.
Here’s what we will use RetroArch for:
- Atari 2600: Stella
- Atari 5200: Atari800
- Atari 7800: ProSystem
- Atari Lynx: Mednafen (Beetle)
- Arcade: FinalBurn Neo
- Nintendo Entertainment System: FCEUmm
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance: mGBA
- Nintendo Game Boy/Game Boy Color: Gambatte
- Nintendo 64: Mupen64Plus-Next GLES3 (see M64Plus FZ Pro section below)
- Nintendo DS: MelonDS DS (see MelonDS section below)
- Sega 32X: PicoDrive
- Sega Dreamcast: Flycast
- Sega Genesis/Master System/Game Gear/CD: Genesis Plus GX
- Sega Saturn: Beetle Saturn
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Snes9x
- Sony PlayStation 1: SwanStation (see DuckStation section below)
Click here for my RetroArch setup guide
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.
Click here for my M64Plus FZ setup guide
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.
Click here for my MelonDS setup guide
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 from the Google Play Store.
Click here for my Dolphin setup guide
NetherSX2 Classic – For Sony PlayStation 2
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
Switch Emulation
For Nintendo Switch emulation, the best and current emulators change often. Check the guide for more information.
Vita3K – For Sony PlayStation Vita
For Sony PlayStation Vita emulation, the best and current version is Vita3K.
JoiPlay – PC RPGMaker Games
For PC Fangames (RPG Maker) on Android emulation, the best and current version is JoiPlay.
Some examples of those types of games is Pokemon Uranium, Pokemon Reborn, Pokemon Rejuvenation and so on.
Click here for my JoiPlay setup guide
Dual Screen Emulators – For Dual Screen devices or setups
If you have a dual screen device, and want to setup some emulators to work with the second screen, this guide would be for you.
Recommended Frontends
EmulationStation
Beacon Launcher
ROMs/BIOS
If you’re looking for where to find ROMs, this video will help you.
If you’re looking for where to find 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
Backup & Restore your handheld
If you ever want to backup and restore your Android handheld’s save data, emulator data and more, you can follow this guide here.
Remap R button
TBA
i cant seem to install nether sx2. I have removed aesthersx2 and made sure all are uninstalled properly. When i try to install Nether SX2 I get an error: ” App not installed as package conflicts with an existing package.”.
Do you have any advice on this.
Can you tell me how to successfully add cover art to ROMs on this device? I’ve tried doing it manually and also have tried the Skraper program with no success. Not sure what I’m doing wrong.
Hey Joey,
I recently got my RG477M, and I’ve been struggling to get the root uninstaller to let me disable the RGLauncher app.
The disable functionality appears to be greyed out regardless of if I use the root uninstaller or not.
Did you have any success with disabling the RGLauncher app? I’m trying to instead use ES-DE.
Thanks,
Hi Andrew,
I just had the same problem with my RG477M. I wanted to use the R button for Daijisho.
I found a solution, but finally, I’m not sure that it’s important to disable the RGLauncher service on the RG477M, stopping it should be enough…
So, maybe first, just try to stop and install the “Buttons remapper” app directly.
If you still have any problems because you need root privileges,
I recommend you to download Shizuku from the Play Store. (This is the solution I found)
Before launching Shizuku, you’ll need to enable the “Android developer mode” and enable “USB debugging” :
– Settings -> About Handheld Game and click multiple times on “Build number” to enable Android developer mode
– Settings -> System -> Developer options -> USB Debugging
Then install ADB on a computer (https://androidmtk.com/download-minimal-adb-and-fastboot-tool for example…),
Finally, connect the console to the computer, run Shizuku, the application will ask you to launch an ADB command on the computer
(Something like “adb shell sh /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/moe.shizuku.privileged.api/start.sh”)
So run this command to allow Shizuku to take control of console application authorization requests.
When it’s done, you will be able to install and authorize any apps that require root privileges (as long as you don’t turn off or restart the console).
This solution saves you from having to completely root the Android system and when you no longer need all of that, you can just disable the “developer mode” and delete Shizuku.
I hope this solution will be useful to others.
Have fun !
I ended up going the Shizuku + Canta method to uninstall. Once you Auth Canta within Shizuku, you can use Canta to uninstall RGLauncher.
Thank you Benjamin!
Just want to follow up here to say that if you have the RG launcher (or another launcher you don’t want to use) selected within the handheld settings menu, and then you uninstall it, it unbinds the R button.
This allows you to use this as a function button (hotkey enable within retroarch, for instance).
This is not possible if another launcher gets selected within the handheld settings menu, the button won’t register (at least on my device).
I ended up installing, selecting, and then unistalling another launcher just so I could have this option unselected, as I can’t find a way to do it otherwise.
Looking into this.