RG35XX H vs Other Handhelds for Classic Halo

The Anbernic RG35XX H can play the original Halo: Combat Evolved only through homebrew ports or streaming, not directly, and it is a solid budget choice for that purpose, though other handhelds in the same price range offer better performance or easier setup. This article compares the RG35XX H against its main rivals—the Retroid Pocket 3+, the Miyoo Mini Plus, and the Steam Deck—specifically for playing classic Halo titles, covering what works, what doesn’t, and what you should buy.

What “Playing Classic Halo” Actually Means on These Devices

Classic Halo refers to Halo: Combat Evolved (2001), Halo 2 (2004), and Halo 3 (2007). These games were built for the original Xbox and later PC. No emulator for the original Xbox runs well on any ARM-based handheld in this class, including the RG35XX H. Instead, you have two realistic paths:

• Native ports: The Halo engine was partially open-sourced as the “Aleph One” project, which has a port for the RG35XX H. It runs the single-player campaign of the first game at playable frame rates, but requires you to provide the game data files from a legitimate copy.
• Streaming: Using Moonlight or Steam Link, you can stream the PC version of Halo from a desktop to the handheld over Wi-Fi. This works on any device with a good network connection.

No device in this price range can emulate Xbox titles. The Steam Deck, being a PC, can run the Master Chief Collection natively, but it costs several times more.

Anbernic RG35XX H: Specs and Halo Performance

The RG35XX H is a horizontal handheld with a 3.5-inch 640×480 IPS screen, a Rockchip RK3326 quad-core CPU, and 1GB of RAM. It runs Linux-based custom firmware like GarlicOS or ArkOS. For Halo specifically:

• The Aleph One port runs the first game at 30–45 frames per second at native resolution, with occasional dips during heavy combat.
• Halo 2 and 3 are not playable—no port exists, and the hardware is too weak for Xbox emulation.
• Streaming works well if your Wi-Fi is stable, but the screen’s low resolution makes text hard to read in menus.

The device costs around $60–70, making it one of the cheapest ways to play the first Halo on the go, but you must be comfortable with manual file transfers and Linux command lines to set up the port.

Retroid Pocket 3+: The Performance Upgrade

The Retroid Pocket 3+ (RP3+) uses a Unisoc T618 chip, which is roughly twice as fast as the RG35XX H’s RK3326. It runs Android, so you can install the Aleph One port from the Play Store, and it also supports GameCube and PS2 emulation, which the RG35XX cannot handle. For Halo:

• The Aleph One port runs at full speed with higher resolution (up to 720p) and smoother frame rates.
• Streaming is better thanks to a 720p screen and faster Wi-Fi.
• You can also play the mobile version of Halo: Spartan Assault, but that is not the classic campaign.

The RP3+ costs around $100–120. If you want a device that handles not just Halo but also a broader library of retro games, the extra cost is justified.

Miyoo Mini Plus: The Budget Alternative That Can’t Do Halo

The Miyoo Mini Plus is another budget handheld, often priced under $50. It has the same RK3326 chip as the RG35XX H, but its 3.5-inch screen is smaller and it runs a different Linux distribution. The critical difference is that the Aleph One port has not been compiled for the Miyoo Mini Plus’s firmware, so you cannot play Halo on it at all. Even if you tried to sideload, the community has not provided a build. This makes the RG35XX H the better choice specifically for Halo, despite the similar hardware.

Steam Deck: The Premium Option That Runs Halo Natively

The Steam Deck is a full PC handheld with an AMD APU, 16GB of RAM, and a 7-inch 1280×800 screen. It runs SteamOS, which can install the Master Chief Collection from Steam. You get the complete Halo experience—every game, full graphics, and online multiplayer. The cost is $399 and up, but you also get access to thousands of PC games. If Halo is your primary use case and you have the budget, the Steam Deck is the only device on this list that runs all classic Halo titles without any hacks or streaming.

How to Choose: What Matters Most to You

Your decision depends on three factors: budget, willingness to tinker, and how many Halo games you need.

• Budget under $70: The RG35XX H is the only option that can run the first Halo via a port. Expect to spend an hour setting it up.
• Budget around $120: The RP3+ offers a smoother experience and easier setup, and it can also emulate GameCube and PS2, which might interest you.
• Budget over $400: The Steam Deck is the no-compromise choice, running every Halo game natively with no setup.
• If you only want Halo 2 or 3: Skip the RG35XX H. Only the Steam Deck can run those.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Setting up Halo on the RG35XX H is not plug-and-play. The most common issues are:

• Missing game files: The Aleph One port requires the .map files from the PC version of Halo. You must own the game and copy the files to the SD card. The port does not include them.
• Wrong firmware: The port only works on custom firmware like GarlicOS or ArkOS. The stock firmware may not support it.
• Controls not mapped: You need to configure the controller layout manually in the port’s settings, as the default may not match the RG35XX H’s buttons.
• Audio stuttering: If you experience crackling, lower the audio buffer size in the port’s options.

If you run into issues, check the port’s documentation on the Aleph One GitHub page, which includes specific instructions for the RG35XX H.

Cost and Value Comparison

Here is a rough breakdown of total cost for each path:

• RG35XX H: $65 device + $10 SD card + $10 for a used copy of Halo PC (or $0 if you already own it). Total: ~$75–85.
• RP3+: $115 device + $10 SD card + $10 for Halo PC. Total: ~$135.
• Steam Deck: $399 device + $40 for Master Chief Collection (often on sale). Total: ~$440.

Note that the RP3+ and Steam Deck can also play other games, so the cost per game is lower if you have a large library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the RG35XX H emulate the original Xbox? No. The hardware is far too weak, and no Xbox emulator runs on ARM Linux devices. The only way to play Halo is through the Aleph One port or streaming.

Do I need to own Halo to play it on the RG35XX H? Yes. The port requires the game’s data files, which you must extract from a legitimate copy of Halo: Combat Evolved for PC. You cannot download them legally.

Does the RG35XX H play Halo 2 or Halo 3? No. There are no ports for those games, and emulation is not possible. For those, you need a Steam Deck or a PC.

Is the RG35XX H better than the Miyoo Mini Plus for Halo? Yes, because the Aleph One port has been compiled for the RG35XX H, but not for the Miyoo Mini Plus. The hardware is nearly identical, but software support makes the difference.

Can I stream Halo from my PC to the RG35XX H? Yes, using Moonlight or Steam Link. You need a decent Wi-Fi router and a PC that can run Halo. The experience is playable but the screen’s low resolution makes text hard to read.

Is the Steam Deck worth the extra money for Halo? If Halo is your main game and you want the full experience (all games, online multiplayer, no setup), yes. If you only want the first game and are on a tight budget, the RG35XX H is a fraction of the cost.

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