Sony’s PSP Go, with its slide-out controls, was a pint-sized marvel that screamed next-gen handheld gaming when it hit shelves in 2009. Now, in 2025, retro gaming expert Anbernic is tapping that same magic with the RG Slide, a new device that merges the PSP Go’s iconic sliding style with a dash of the Xperia Play’s gaming phone style.
There’s something irresistibly cool about sliding mechanisms in handhelds, conjuring nostalgia for snapping open a phone to reveal a keyboard or, with the PSP Go, a full-blown gaming setup. The RG Slide nails this, sporting a screen that glides up to unveil a dedicated gamepad ready for action. Early teasers show a rounded, ergonomic body that feels chunkier than the svelte PSP Go but carries a similar aesthetic. A fan vent on the back hints at active cooling, a rarity for Anbernic’s typically fanless, Linux-based devices like the RG34XX series.
- NOTE: This isn't OnionOS version, please download and installed by yourself. Out of box to play console but NO Nin10do-games, please prepare your own...
- High resolution display 2.8-inch 750*560 IPS screen
- Built-in 2000mAh 3.7V LiPo battery 4-6 hours life
Rumors peg the RG Slide as using a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipset, the same silicon powering Anbernic’s RG557, a high-end handheld capable of emulating demanding systems like PlayStation 2 and Wii. While Anbernic hasn’t confirmed the exact specs, the RG Slide’s hardware seems poised to tackle everything from 16-bit classics to early 3D console games, potentially at enhanced resolutions.
Early reports suggest a 5-inch screen, larger than the PSP Go’s 3.8-inch display, with a 4:3 aspect ratio that’s ideal for retro games from the PS1, Game Boy Advance, and beyond. There’s even speculation about a secondary display, inspired by the Nintendo 3DS, though Anbernic hasn’t confirmed this.
Some leaks hint it could double as a phone, with the Dimensity 8300’s modem supporting 4G or 5G connectivity. If Anbernic goes this route, the RG Slide could blur the line between gaming handheld and daily driver, much like the Xperia Play tried to do. Sony’s patent on sliding controls, reportedly expiring in June 2025, likely cleared the path for Anbernic to dive into this design without stepping on legal toes.
Anbernic’s known for wallet-friendly gear, like the $65 RG35XX Plus, but the RG Slide’s high-end features might nudge its price closer to the RG557’s $339.99 mark. No firm release date or price has dropped yet, but Anbernic’s knack for speedy launches hints at a reveal soon, maybe by June 2025.
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