Although the Powkiddy RGB10 Max may be getting on a bit now, it’s still a console of choice for many handheld gamers.
But how does it stack up nowadays with so many alternative options out there? Let’s dig in.
Powkiddy RGB10 Max Specifications
It goes without saying, the RGB10 Max isn’t the most powerful handheld on the market. Not by a longshot. It is, nevertheless, a very capable machine for what it is.
The use of the RK3326 chipset is both a blessing and a curse. For up to PS1, this is the chipset to go with. It’s so popular, in fact, that almost every company uses it. It’s a readily available chip that doesn’t cost much, so its popularity does make sense.
The downside is it’s a very limited chip. If you’re hoping for full speed N64 or Dreamcast emulation, the RK3326 simply can’t handle those systems. And when you’ve got other products like the Ayn Loki on the horizon that can emulate even higher than N64, you realise just how limiting the RK3326 is.
Still, so long as you’re not paying over the odds, it’s a perfectly fine option if you’re after a cost-effective handheld.
- Screen: five-inch IPS OCA screen (854×480)
- CPU: RK3326 – quad-core (1.5GHz)
- RAM: 1GB DDR3L
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Storage: 64GB with microSD support
- Operating System: Linux
- Battery: Li-polymer 4200mAh
- Charging: USB-C
Powkiddy RGB10 Max Price
As the tech inside the Powkiddy RGB10 Max is low cost, the retail cost of the device mirrors that.
You can pick up the RGB10 Max for as little as $75/£63, which is a solid price all things considered. If we were over the $150/£150 mark, then yeah, this would be a different story. But for a cheap handheld to play on, the RGB10 Max offers good value for money.
Powkiddy RGB10 Max Game List
First, let’s take a look at what Powkiddy says the RGB10 Max can handle, shall we?
- PS1
- NeoGeo
- Genesis/Mega Drive
- NES
- SNES
- Nintendo DS
- Game Boy Advance
- N64
- Capcom System
Now, this is where websites come in. The above list isn’t inaccurate, and you could technically play all of the above on the RGB10 Max, but you may not want to.
Where things become troublesome is with the N64 and Nintendo DS. It’s important to note, compatibility is surprisingly good compared with other RK3326 devices. If you’re okay with using multiple emulators and tweaking settings to get the most out of your console, you’ll come away surprised by how versatile this thing is.
You just know there’s a but coming. But, it’s not possible to say the RGB10 Max is a device for N64 or DS. Some games will work, some won’t, many will struggle.
For the price, this isn’t surprising, and it’s not a deal-breaker by any means. It’s just worth keeping in mind in case you’re expecting full-speed N64 emulation. This thing is not built for that, but for PS1 and below, you’re good.
Powkiddy RGB10 Max vs RG351P
This is a tricky one to call. In terms of sheer power, there isn’t enough in it to decide either way.
Both are primarily up to PS1 devices, and both are affordable enough that the difference in price isn’t a huge factor. The two areas where things do differ are in the screen size and comfort.
The RGB10 Max offers up a five-inch screen versus the RG351P’s smaller 3.5-inches. That may not sound like much of a difference but the change in screen size is instantly noticeable.
Think of it this way: Would you prefer a Game Boy Advance or a Switch Lite? If you’re after something compact that can fit in a pocket, the RG351P is the route to go. If, however, you’re after something to play at home, on the couch, you may benefit from the larger screen.
As for comfort, Powkiddy does have a habit of using plastic that feels cheap, and while Anbernic does cut corners as well, the RG351P feels the more premium of the two offerings.
In terms of how each console feels in hand, there – again – isn’t much in it. Both consoles feature a similar layout and both use horizontal shoulder buttons.
Which should you choose? It all depends on your needs. If you want something for a commute, the RG351P is the perfect size. But if you’re looking to play at home and don’t mind a cheaper-feeling product, the RGB Max 10 is worth grabbing.
Though this does throw up the following question…
Powkiddy RGB10 Max vs Powkiddy RGB10 Max 2
Is the RGB10 Max worth picking up over the RGB10 Max 2? Not really, no. Here’s why.
In terms of power, there isn’t much in it, as is the case with upgrades in this space. The RGB10 Max 2 is slightly faster, but that’s not where the biggest differentiator lies.
The RGB10 Max 2 features a completely redesigned case mold. While the original RGB10 Max is more comparable with the Anbernic RG351 series, the RGB10 Max two looks and feels more like a cross between a Switch Lite and a PS Vita.
There are still the usual Powkiddy issues of cheap-feeling plastics, but overall, the grips do offer up more comfort for most. Not only that, the improved operating system is worth it alone. There still aren’t stacked shoulder buttons, though. Bah.
Of course, the issue of price does play a factor as well. The RGB10 Max 2 is the better of the two, but it’s also pricier at $123/£104. That isn’t a massive difference, but the moment we get above the $100/£100 mark, we’re less in the affordable category, so it’s worth having a think about how much you’re happy spending.
In Conclusion
As previously mentioned, price is always the deciding factor. The RGB10 Max is a great little system for a low price. It’s not perfect, it lacks power, and the quality of the parts used could be much improved, but it’s also less than a hundred bucks, so it’s easier to forgive what issues it does have.
If you’re after high-end tech, you won’t find it here, and you’d be better off checking out the Ayn Odin or the Steam Deck, though those are going to cost a lot more than the RGB10 Max. If we’re looking in the same price group, there’s always the Evercade Exp to consider.
What it all boils down to is if you’re after an alternative to Anbernic products that also house a larger screen, you won’t go wrong with the RGB10 Max. It really is that simple.
