I have the Anbernic RG405M in my retro handheld collection and have recently been testing Playstation 2 game performance. As a means to contribute to the retrohandheld community, I’m compiling my own PS2 Compatibility list with AetherSX2 settings based on my personal testing. While these settings were tested on the Anbernic RG405M, you can expect the performance to be similar on the Anbernic RG505 and the upcoming Anbernic RG405V.

FIRST THINGS FIRST!

Of course, you can only expect the same performance if you’ve got the same apps installed on your device. To improve the performance of the Anbernic RG405M, I installed GammaOS Lite V1.3.3 (download and view installation instructions here). All my PS2 performance tests are under the Maximum performance mode. I’m also using AetherSX2 V 1.4-3060 which you can get here. If you’re using anything different and performance isn’t as good as you see in my videos, you should consider using that I’m using.

Lastly, I’ve also tested game performance on the Retroid Pocket 3+, which uses the same chip (Unisoc Tiger T618). If you’re interested in a game that isn’t on this Anbernic RG405M list, check the Retroid Pocket 3+ list and maybe you’ll find it there! Game performance is similar so you can try my Retroid Pocket 3+ settings.

MY AETHERSX2 STARTING SETTINGS

I’ve got my own default AetherSX2 settings that I start with on every performance test. I’m not sure if everyone has the same, but it’s important that I mention it so that you know what I mean when I say “works on my defaults”.

• System – EE Cycle Rate (Underclocking) – 100% (0)
• System – EE Cycle Skip (Underclocking) – Normal (0)
• System – Affinity Control Mode – Disabled
• System – Multi-Threaded VU1 – Enabled
• Graphics – GPU Renderer – Vulkan
• Graphics – Upscale Multiplier – 1x Native
• Graphics – Hardware Download Mode – Accurate
• Graphics – Threaded Presentation – Enabled
• Advanced – Enable Fastmem – Enabled

RATING SYSTEM

For consistency, I’ll borrow the ratings and definitions being followed by the RP3+ Compatibility Guide.

• Great – Essentially full speed with few problems.
• Playable – Either full speed or close to full speed. Sometimes has audio or visual problems.
• Somewhat – 70%-89% speed, some graphical/audio glitches.
• Bad – <70% speed, won’t start, or game-breaking glitches.

List of PS2 Games Playable on the Anbernic RG405M (Click on the links to see videos of the performance)

• 20 games with video proof of playability!
• All tests were done on the Maximum performance mode.

• Bully/Canis Canem Edit (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
  • Change GPU Render to OpenGL (map, menus, etc. won’t load properly if you use Vulkan)
  • Great performance!
• Dead to Rights (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
  • Playable performance with occasional framerate drops.
• Devil May Cry (PAL Version)
  • Great performance on my starting settings (see above).
• Fight Night Round 2 (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
  • Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
  • Playable performance. Opening cinematic runs below 100% but everything else is at 100%.
• Final Fantasy X (PAL Version)
  • Great performance on my starting settings (see above).
• Final Fantasy XII (PAL Version)
  • Great performance on my starting settings (see above).
• God of War (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
  • Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks
  • Playable performance with occasional framerate drops.
• Haunting Ground (PAL Version)
  • Great performance on my starting settings (see above).
• Kingdom Hearts (PAL Version)
  • Great performance on my starting settings (see above).
• Manhunt (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
  • Change Hardware Download Mode to Unsynchronized.
  • To fix the lighting issue, use the PNACH code patch=1,EE,00341f10,word,64050000
  • Playable performance with occasional framerate drops.
• NBA Street (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
  • Great performance. Opening FMV is running below 90% though.
• Need for Speed: Most Wanted (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Rate to 60% (-2)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
  • Change Blending Accuracy to Minimum
  • Playable performance with occasional framerate drops.
• Project Zero (Fatal Frame) (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
  • Change Audio Synchronization Mode to Async Mix.
  • Good performance with occasional framerate dips.
• Ratchet & Clank 2 (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
  • Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks.
  • Great performance with occasional minor dips.
• Resident Evil 4 (PAL Version)
  • Great performance on my starting settings (see above).
• Resident Evil Outbreak (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
  • Change Hardware Download Mode to Disable Readbacks.
  • Great performance with occasional minor dips.
• Silent Hill 2 (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
  • Great performance!
• Spider-Man 2 (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Moderate Underclock (2)
  • Great performance with occasional framerate drops. FMVs will have some issues.
• SSX Tricky (PAL Version)
  • Change EE Cycle Rate to 75% (-1)
  • Change EE Cycle Skip to Mild Underclock (1)
  • Playable performance with occasional framerate drops. Opening FMV will have issues.
• WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain (PAL Version)
  • Change Blending Accuracy to Minimum.
  • Playable performance with up to 5 wrestlers onscreen. Slows down a bit once 6 wrestlers are onscreen. Some dips during entrances.

Update History

• Aug. 30, 2023 – Created this guide. 11 games already tested.
• Nov. 20, 2023 – Total games tested now up to 20.