The main difference between the Retroid Pocket 2 and the RG-35XX is the shape.
The Retroid Pocket 2 is a horizontal, the RG-35XX is a vertical, Game Boy shaped.
Other differences
- The RG-35XX launched at about $50 and the Retroid Pocket 2 at about $80.
- The Retroid Pocket 2 has two analog sticks; the RG-35XX has none.
- The Retroid Pocket 2 runs Android, the RG-35XX runs Linux.
- The Retroid Pocket 2 has Wi-Fi and the RG-35XX does not, so no online updates, cloud saves or streaming on it.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
TieAbout the same size: Retroid Pocket 2 150 x 81 x 17-30 mm, 196 g, RG-35XX 81 x 117 x 20 mm, 175 g. Both fit a jeans pocket.
Which is better for PS2 games, the Retroid Pocket 2 or the RG-35XX?
NeitherNeither plays PS2 games.
Which costs less?
RG-35XXThe RG-35XX, at about $50 at launch against $80. Prices today vary by store and the used market.
Which is better for GBA games?
TieBoth run GBA at full speed and fill about the same share of the screen with even pixels: 50% of the Retroid Pocket 2's screen at 2x, 50% of the RG-35XX's screen at 2x.
Which has the bigger battery?
Retroid Pocket 2The Retroid Pocket 2, at 4,000 mAh against 2,600 mAh. That is capacity only: the chips differ, and the heavier the system you play, the faster either one drains.
Side by side
| Retroid Pocket 2 | RG-35XX | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $80 | $50 |
| Released | Aug 2020 | Mar 2024 |
| Plays well up to | N64 | Dreamcast |
| Shape | Horizontal | Vertical |
| Software | Android | Linux |
| Chip | MediaTek MT6580A | Allwinner H700 |
| Memory | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Screen | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 |
| Resolution | 640 x 480 | 640 x 480 |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 2,600 mAh |
| Weight | 196 g | 175 g |
| Size | 150 x 81 x 17-30 mm | 81 x 117 x 20 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, asymmetrical | None |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, stacked | Yes, side by side |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Video out | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes |
Green marks the better value where one is clearly better. Prices are launch prices.
Emulation
- Retroid Pocket 2RG-35XX
- Game Boy
- NES
- Genesis
- GBA
- SNES
- PS1
- DS
- N64
- Dreamcast
- PSP
- Saturn
- GameCube
100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues.
Full details
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More comparisons
Why this pair: buyers weigh these two against each other. 45 comments by 32 different people compare them in community discussions, and 2 post titles name both. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.