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AmberELEC

AmberELEC is free, open source firmware for the Anbernic RG351P, RG351M, RG351V, RG351MP, and RG552 handhelds.

Place
#22 of 33
Score
5.8
AmberELEC's website

What AmberELEC is

AmberELEC is free, open source firmware for the Anbernic RG351P, RG351M, RG351V, RG351MP, and RG552 handhelds. Its 64-bit build is optimized for those devices, and its preconfigured defaults are intended to make setup straightforward. The firmware includes RetroArch and multiple emulator cores, with native RetroAchievements support on supported emulators. RetroArch Netplay can be used when players have the same AmberELEC version, ROM, and core. An integrated scraper can fetch game images, videos, manuals, maps, and metadata, but requires Wi-Fi and a ScreenScraper account. A package manager handles community-made themes, and the exFAT games partition is accessible from Linux, Windows, and macOS. Project guides cover importing LaunchBox playlists, games, metadata, and media. An rclone-based tool can back up and restore saves, states, screenshots, and device backups; initial setup requires command-line use and computer-based cloud authorization. Stable downloads are listed for the supported models, and users are advised to select the matching device version. Rewind is disabled by default because enabling it can significantly slow games.

Good

  • Free and open source
  • Includes RetroArch and multiple emulator cores
  • Supports RetroAchievements on supported emulators
  • ExFAT games partition works across Linux, Windows, and macOS
  • Can back up saves, states, and screenshots

Watch out

  • Scraping requires Wi-Fi and a ScreenScraper account
  • Backup setup requires command-line use
  • Downloads must match the specific handheld
  • Rewind can significantly slow games

Who it suits

It suits owners of the listed Anbernic handhelds who want firmware with RetroArch and multiple emulator cores. Users interested in scraping, cloud backups, or Netplay should note their setup requirements.

Verdict

AmberELEC offers a device-specific firmware package with emulator features, themes, and backup tools. Confirm the download matches your handheld, and account for the extra setup required for scraping and cloud backups.

Plans and prices

From AmberELEC's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
AmberELECFreeOpen source firmware for supported Anbernic handhelds; download the version matching your device

The facts

Each one read from AmberELEC's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Achievements
AmberELEC has native RetroAchievements support on supported emulators.checked 8 Oct 2026
Architecture
The firmware is 64-bit and optimized for the RG351P/M/V/MP and RG552.checked 8 Oct 2026
Cloud backup
An rclone-based tool can back up and restore saves, states, screenshots, and device backups; initial setup requires command-line use and computer-based cloud authorization.checked 8 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit
The download page lists stable downloads for RG351P/M, RG351V, RG351MP, and RG552, and warns users to choose the version for their device.checked 8 Oct 2026
Emulation
AmberELEC includes RetroArch and supports multiple emulator cores, with the latest site announcement highlighting new cores and emulators for the RG552.checked 8 Oct 2026
File access
The exFAT games partition is accessible from Linux, Windows, and macOS.checked 8 Oct 2026
Game scraping
Its integrated scraper can retrieve game images, videos, manuals, maps, and metadata; scraping requires Wi-Fi and a ScreenScraper account.checked 8 Oct 2026
Integrations
The guides describe importing LaunchBox playlists, games, metadata, and media, and using RetroArch Netplay when players have the same AmberELEC version, ROM, and core.checked 8 Oct 2026
Performance limit
Rewind is disabled by default because enabling it can significantly slow games.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
AmberELEC is open source firmware developed for the Anbernic RG351P/M/V/MP and RG552 handhelds.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security
The guide recommends changing the root password or disabling SSH when it is not in use.checked 8 Oct 2026
Setup
The project says its pre-configured optimized defaults are intended to let users pick up and play.checked 8 Oct 2026
Support
The project directs general questions and help requests to its Discord community and asks users to submit bug reports and feature requests through issue templates.checked 8 Oct 2026
Themes
A package manager lets users install and update community-made themes.checked 8 Oct 2026

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