Anbernic RG DS Finally Launches, a Nintendo DS-Inspired Handheld That Costs Less Than a Decent Dinner for Two

When you open the Anbernic RG DS, you’ll see two 4 inch IPS panels, each with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. And let me tell you, that resolution makes the original Nintendo DS screens appear tiny in contrast – 2.5 times larger, no less. The end product is clear and clean, with no jagged edges to speak of, and no need to squint and guess what’s happening. Close the lid, and the entire device shuts down, thanks to a secret Hall sensor that saves the day (and your battery life).

On the inside, we get Rockchip’s RK3568 chip, which is powered by four Cortex-A55 cores running at 2 GHz, a Mali-G52 GPU, and a generous 3GB of RAM. Don’t be alarmed by the numbers; they all add up to a seamless operation capable of handling every DS title on DraStic without breaking a sweat. Try loading The World Ends with You, for example: tap the bottom glass with the stylus, and the top screen jumps to action as soon as your finger lifts. Alternatively, hit the RG button once to move the focus upstairs; press it again to return downstairs. You can even watch Netflix on one panel while Pokémon Diamond munches on the other – Android 14 just keeps on truckin’.

The controls are reminiscent of the original DS Lite, with a D-pad on the left, four face keys on the right, two analog nubs that fit neatly beneath your thumbs, and four shoulder triggers that have the same lovely, smooth motion as before. Oh, and there’s a six-axis gyro that allows you to control Metroid Prime Hunters by tilting the entire thing. Stereo speakers scream forward, loud enough to cut through even the loudest subway clamor, as if you were playing Chrono Trigger.

You can download ROMs via Wi-Fi 5, or pair any controller you want using Bluetooth 4.2. There are two USB-C ports to experiment with: one for charging and one for sending video to a television. When you’re finished, simply insert a 2 terabyte card into the slot, and the 32 gigabytes of built-in storage are a distant memory.


That said, we have the Anbernic RG DS in three exciting colors: Black & Crimson Red, Turquoise Blue, and Polar White. Each one measures up to 160 x 91 x 22 mm and weighs 321 grams, making it thinner than a New 3DS XL and light enough to fit in a coat pocket (though this is probably a poor idea).


Pre-orders are open as of today for a cool $93.99; after that, the price increases to $99.99. If you wish to upgrade to a 128 gig card, it would cost you $12, while a 256 gig card will cost you $25. Just a heads-up: no games are pre-loaded on the card, but Google Play will be ready and waiting the instant you turn it on.
[Source]