Anbernic is expanding its extensive lineup of handheld consoles to include wireless controllers with the reveal of its new RG P01, which features Hall effect triggers and joysticks “with minimal drift,” according to the company.
The Anbernic RG P01 features an Xbox-style Y, B, A, and X button layout that can be switched to a Nintendo-style layout through software, but it’s not yet known if reconfiguring the controller is done through a desktop or mobile app.
The controller is compatible with PCs, the Nintendo Switch, Steam devices, iOS, and Android; wireless connectivity includes support for Bluetooth 5.3 as well as a 2.4GHz connection for reduced lag. Anbernic hasn’t confirmed if a 2.4GHz USB dongle is included for gaming devices that don’t natively support it, but the controller can be used with a USB-C cable if you want to skip wireless connectivity altogether.
The use of Hall effect sticks and triggers should help prolong the life of the controller, but there doesn’t appear to be switches on the back of the RG P01 limiting the travel of its triggers to improve reaction times for FPS games. The controller does include an extra pair of buttons behind its grips that can trigger preprogrammed macros when pressed individually or in sequence.
Anbernic has even included a six-axis gyroscope for playing Nintendo Switch games that support motion-based controls, plus RGB accent lighting around each joystick — a feature the company has recently started to include on some of its handhelds, like the RG 406V.
We don’t yet know what the RG P01’s battery life will be, when the wireless controller will be released, or how much it will cost. The controller’s features are comparable to the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C. which debuted last June for $29.99, although the RG P01 includes support for more devices. If Anbernic is targeting a similar price, that advantage alone could make its first controller worth considering over 8BitDo’s budget-minded offerings.
