Does Anbernic come preloaded with games?

Yes… and No

Anbernic devices are often sold with microSD cards that include preloaded games, but this isn't universal or guaranteed across all purchases.

  • For example, the RG351P model is frequently advertised with “preloaded classic games” on a 64 GB card, supporting dozens of retro platforms like NES, SNES, PS1, and more.(Amazon Canada)

  • A UK tech listing highlights the RG280M variant, which comes with “2500 classic games preinstalled” on a 32 GB TF card.(FindThisBest (UK))

These preloaded versions might work fine out of the box—but there’s more to the story.

What the Community Says

Feedback from Reddit forums reveals mixed experiences:

“You can buy with a card included that will have games but you really shouldn't. The cards they provide are very prone to failure… ROMs provided are poorly curated, full of bad game hacks, duplicates, and many are in foreign languages.”
— r/ANBERNIC (Reddit)

“If you buy the body only, you get a 16 GB card. But if you opt for a 16+64 combo, you'll get a 64 GB card with ‘a bunch of games’ preloaded.”
— r/ANBERNIC (Reddit)

Another user shared:

“Comes with games but they’re kinda mid. Just add your own. I’d also suggest using OnionOS.”
— On RG35XX discussion (Reddit)

“Depending where you get them, they may come with games, but the SD cards are low quality and fail quickly. Better to build your own library.”
— r/RG350 (Reddit)

And one more self-aware perspective:

“Devices generally come loaded—but community consensus is to replace the card and load verified ROMs yourself.”
— r/Handhelds (Reddit)

Summary Table

Question Answer
Do Anbernic handhelds come preloaded? Many can—especially in “preloaded” bundles—but not all versions do.
Are the included games high quality? Often not—duplicates, incomplete titles, region differences, or language issues are common.
Are the supplied SD cards reliable? Frequently no—low-cost cards may fail quickly.
What should I do instead? Use your own high-quality card, install curated games, and load a clean OS or frontend.

Final Thoughts

Yes, Anbernic consoles may come equipped with preloaded games, especially if you choose a bundle labeled as such. However, the overall quality is often questionable:

  • Stock cards degrade over time.

  • Preloaded content is uneven, and often contains useless files or duplicates.

  • Legal issues: Some devices may ship with unlicensed ROMs, which carries risk.(Android Authority)

Best practice: Buy the device (with or without a card), install your own trusted microSD card, flash a clean OS like GarlicOS or 351ELEC, and add legally sourced, high-quality games you actually want to play.