{"id":136434,"date":"2026-03-12T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/#article-198317"},"modified":"2026-03-12T18:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:00:00","slug":"review-anbernic-rg-g01-controller-for-switch-1-2-acceptable-basics-but-wont-get-your-heart-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2026\/03\/12\/review-anbernic-rg-g01-controller-for-switch-1-2-acceptable-basics-but-wont-get-your-heart-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Anbernic RG G01 Controller For Switch 1 &amp; 2 &#8211; Acceptable Basics, But Won&#8217;t Get Your Heart Racing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media_block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/19f3894360a22\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/19f3894360a22\/small.jpg\" class=\"media_thumbnail\"><\/a><\/div>\n<figure class=\"picture\" data-uuid=\"19f3894360a22\"><a class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Anbernic 1\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/19f3894360a22\/anbernic-1.large.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/19f3894360a22\/anbernic-1.900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" alt=\"Anbernic 1\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Image: Ollie Reynolds \/ Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Accessory manufacturer <strong>Anbernic<\/strong> is perhaps best known for its work in the retro handheld space, pumping out new emulation devices at a rate I\u2019ve frankly struggled to keep up with. Rarely does it branch out into the realm of controllers, but when it does, it\u2019s safe to say that the results are about as mixed as you can get.<\/p>\n<p>Its first controller, the RG P01, has been described by some as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KouhqKE2hy4\">knock-off of 8BitDo\u2019s budget-friendly pads<\/a>, and it\u2019s easy to see why. With the new <strong>RG G01<\/strong>, however, no one can make the claim that Anbernic has been copying 8BitDo\u2019s homework (though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.manba.cc\/products\/manba-one-white?srsltid=AfmBOoqy1KOyhCB0nfvCHPsRrC3l5VqF79RXLDmO8iXQGmyLLX9tdfgM\">Manba<\/a> might have a few words to say). But is it actually any good? Well\u2026 it\u2019s fine, it\u2019s functional, but it\u2019s perhaps not the controller I\u2019d immediately recommend if you\u2019re after something new for your Switch or Switch 2.<\/p>\n<p>Priced at <strong>$39.99<\/strong>, the RG G01 includes two key features that you perhaps wouldn\u2019t expect to see in an accessory at this price point: an IPS screen and a heart-rate monitor. In addition, you\u2019ve got microswitch face buttons and D-pad, Hall Effect triggers, six-axis gyro controls, basic rumble motors, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aliexpress.com\/item\/1005009943636162.html\">capacitive analogue sticks<\/a> said to eliminate potential drift while being more power efficient than either Hall Effect or TMR alternatives.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gallery\">\n<div class=\"cols cols-2\">\n<div class=\"col col-1 col-width-50\"><a title=\"Anbernic 4\" class=\"scanlines\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/cdcc744aa4e71\/anbernic-4.large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/cdcc744aa4e71\/anbernic-4.445x250.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"250\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anbernic 4\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"col col-1 col-width-50\"><a title=\"Anbernic 5\" class=\"scanlines scanlines\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/b4bd90920a3bd\/anbernic-5.large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/b4bd90920a3bd\/anbernic-5.445x250.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"250\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anbernic 5\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Images: Ollie Reynolds \/ Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/aside>\n<p>That last part sounds particularly interesting, and yes, while capacitive joysticks are the new kid in town, the actual feel of the sticks on the G01 are a little lacking compared to the likes of the official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/reviews\/nintendo-switch-2-pro-controller-a-new-benchmark-in-comfort-and-design\">Pro Controller 2<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/reviews\/mobapad-chitu2-hd-controller-for-switch-1-and-2-almost-beats-nintendo-at-its-own-game\">Mobapd Chitu2 HD<\/a>. They\u2019re certainly responsive enough, but the metallic shaft hits the plastic exterior when moved to the edge, meaning you constantly get material grinding against eachother. This was the norm for a long time, but in 2026 when you\u2019ve got companies putting out impossibly smooth analogue sticks, it doesn\u2019t feel up to snuff anymore.<\/p>\n<p>The ABXY face buttons follow the Xbox layout, and unfortunately you can\u2019t physically swap these out to emulate the Switch&#8217;s layout. Thankfully, the built-in screen makes it really easy to remap whatever inputs you wish, so as long as you\u2019re okay not looking down at your controller while you\u2019re playing, you shouldn\u2019t be too bothered about the mismatched input labels.<\/p>\n<p>What I couldn\u2019t quite get over, however, was the size of the face buttons \u2013 they\u2019re <em>tiny<\/em>. Not egregiously small like those found on the PS Vita, but they\u2019re perhaps only a fraction larger than official Joy-Con 2. When you\u2019ve got Nintendo\u2019s own Pro Controller offering up huge, comfortable face buttons, it\u2019s really quite hard to transition to something a lot smaller and compact.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gallery\"><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Images: Ollie Reynolds \/ Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/aside>\n<p>Down at the bottom, you\u2019ve got your function buttons, and like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/reviews\/powera-advantage-wired-controller-for-switch-2-an-acceptable-choice-for-player-2\">PowerA Advantage<\/a> controller, these are all laid out in a line \u2013 yuck. From left to right, you\u2019ve got \u2018Select\u2019, \u2018Capture\u2019, \u2018Home\u2019, and \u2018Start\u2019. Holding down the \u2018Home\u2019 button for a few seconds also grants access to the built-in settings via the IPS screen. It\u2019s not touch sensitive, so navigation is handled via the D-pad. Here, you can fiddle around with all sorts of settings like button mapping, pairing modes, calibration, and more. What\u2019s really puzzling, however, is the heart-rate monitor.<\/p>\n<p>At the top right of the screen, you can keep track of your heart rate via a small real-time indicator. The actual sensor is located on the right grip of the controller, so it\u2019s taking the data from the palm of your right hand. For a while I thought it just wasn\u2019t working at all, but then I realised that a thin film was stuck to the sensor, so it needed peeling off for it to function properly. Be careful with that.<\/p>\n<p>Even though it works perfectly, I can\u2019t fathom why the G01 has a heart-rate sensor in the first place. Its function is to essentially fire off an alarm if it detects your heart rate exceeding a certain threshold (which you can alter in the settings, if you wish, and this is in the form of a continuous rumble from the built-in motors. Is it for health purposes? Is it to see how much you\u2019re enjoying your game? Honestly, it feels like the most superfluous addition to a controller I\u2019ve ever seen, and I\u2019d be happy if this is a one-off.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\" data-uuid=\"b7420357b85c6\"><a class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Anbernic 3\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/b7420357b85c6\/anbernic-3.large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/b7420357b85c6\/anbernic-3.900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anbernic 3\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Image: Ollie Reynolds \/ Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Battery life clocks in at around 20 hours during normal gameplay, which is pretty good, while the G01 also boasts four additional inputs on the back for remapping and macro functions. Key functionality is sadly missing, however, like wake-up support for the Switch 2, a dedicated chat button, NFC, and HD rumble. The motors feel fine, but feedback is going to be pretty basic no matter what game you\u2019re playing \u2013 I will admit though, it\u2019s pretty cool that you can actually see them from the outside of the pad.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the controller itself contains a removable plastic faceplate, and it\u2019s absolutely vile. I don\u2019t like glossy finishes on any controller, but the clear faceplate makes the whole thing look and feel really cheap. Removing it isn\u2019t really a good option either, as it means the rumble motors are completely exposed to human touch, which sounds like a hazard I\u2019m not exactly willing to test out.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gallery\">\n<div class=\"cols cols-2\">\n<div class=\"col col-1 col-width-50\"><a title=\"Anbernic 2\" class=\"scanlines\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/f9c6cbc317236\/anbernic-2.large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/f9c6cbc317236\/anbernic-2.445x250.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"250\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anbernic 2\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"col col-1 col-width-50\"><a title=\"Anbernic 9\" class=\"scanlines scanlines\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/00fab07fdf6d8\/anbernic-9.large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/00fab07fdf6d8\/anbernic-9.445x250.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"250\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anbernic 9\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\"><span class><\/span> Images: Ollie Reynolds \/ Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/aside>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s important to remember with the RG G01 that its likely aimed toward PC and Android users first and foremost, so while it&#8217;s perfectly functional as a Switch controller, it&#8217;s not built with Nintendo&#8217;s system in mind. So you&#8217;re not getting the ABXY buttons in the correct layout, and nor are you getting key Switch 2 functionality like a chat button and wake-up support.<\/p>\n<p>Even with that in mind, the G01 is a really weird controller and I&#8217;m not really sure who it&#8217;s for. The heart rate functionality feels superfluous at best, while the clear plastic faceplate makes the whole thing look and feel much cheaper than it&#8217;s already-affordable price. You could do worse, but there are also much, <em>much<\/em> better options out there.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"positive-negative\">\n<ul class=\"positives\">\n<li>Capacitive analogue sticks should keep drifting at bay<\/li>\n<li>Built-in screen makes changing settings a breeze<\/li>\n<li>Microswitch buttons feel responsive and satisfying<\/li>\n<li>Very affordable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"negatives\">\n<li>Heart rate monitor is a puzzling addition<\/li>\n<li>Function button layout is suboptimal<\/li>\n<li>ABXY buttons can&#8217;t be physically changed from Xbox layout<\/li>\n<li>Clear plastic faceplate looks horrendous<\/li>\n<li>No wake-up support, chat button, HD rumble, or NFC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"scoring rating\">\n<p class=\"score\"><span class=\"accent\">Average<\/span> <span class=\"value accent\">5<\/span>\/<span class=\"best\">10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p><em>The samples used in this review was provided by Anbernic.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Image: Ollie Reynolds \/ Nintendo Life Accessory manufacturer Anbernic is perhaps best known for its work in the retro handheld space, pumping out new emulation devices at a rate I\u2019ve frankly struggled to keep up with. Rarely does it branch out into the realm of controllers, but when it does, it\u2019s safe to say that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-136434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nintendo-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=136434"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136434\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=136434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=136434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}