Tag: Retro Gaming Handheld

  • Anbernic RG557: Complete Details Before Launch Day

    Anbernic RG557: Complete Details Before Launch Day

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Anbernic RG557 will be available for order on April 25, starting at $234.99.
    2. Customers can choose a version with a 256 GB MicroSD card for $264.99, with price increases planned on April 28.
    3. The RG557 features a 5.48-inch AMOLED display with 1080p resolution and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipset.
    4. It includes 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256 GB of UFS 4.0 flash storage, running on Android 14.
    5. The device supports game emulation up to the Wii U level and has Wi-Fi 6E for improved streaming capabilities.


    Earlier this week, Retro Game Corps shared that Anbernic has revealed the release date and pricing for the first retro gaming handheld of this year. Strangely, the company took some time before making an official announcement itself.

    Launch Date and Pricing

    The Anbernic RG557 will be available for order starting on April 25 at 03:00 PDT (10:00 UTC). As anticipated, the initial price set by Anbernic for the RG557 is $234.99 when shipping from either its Chinese or American warehouses. Alternatively, customers can choose the handheld in Transparent Purple or White colors, which comes with a 256 GB MicroSD card for $264.99. It’s important to note that on April 28, Anbernic plans to raise its prices by $15, making them $249.99 and $279.99, respectively.

    Specifications Overview

    In terms of specifications, the RG557 is designed to replace the RG556, which is currently priced at $229.99 on Amazon. The new model features a 5.48-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080p, powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipset and 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Additionally, Anbernic has equipped the RG557 with 256 GB of UFS 4.0 flash storage that runs on Android 14, alongside a 5,500 mAh battery that supports 27 W wired fast charging. The RG557 is expected to be capable of emulating games up to the Wii U level, and its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity is likely to make it a good choice for game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now. For further information, please check Anbernic’s official website.

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  • Anbernic RG557 Price Surprise and Upcoming Release Date Revealed

    Anbernic RG557 Price Surprise and Upcoming Release Date Revealed

    Key Takeaways

    1. Anbernic has halted shipping its retro gaming handhelds to the US due to ongoing tariffs.
    2. The RG557 is in development, with its price confirmed to start at $235, increasing to $249 before shipping.
    3. An early Amazon listing mistakenly showed the RG557 priced at $359.99, which was higher than expected.
    4. Pre-orders for the RG557 will begin on April 25, with early bird pricing available until April 28.
    5. Anbernic plans to release additional handhelds in 2025, including the RG34XX SP and up to nine other models.


    Anbernic has announced that it has stopped shipping its retro gaming handhelds to the US due to the ongoing tariffs. However, they are still working on the RG557, which they’ve been teasing for a few weeks now. Recently, Anbernic shared the main specifications for the RG556’s successor (currently priced at $229.99 on Amazon), and we have covered those details in a separate article.

    New Pricing Revealed

    The company has now confirmed the release date and pricing for the RG557. Unfortunately, it will cost more than what many expected. There were rumors suggesting that the RG557 might be priced at $205, which would have been a $30 increase from the RG556. But an early listing on Amazon showed the price at a shocking $359.99. Anbernic has stated that the RG557 will actually start at $235, eventually going up to $249 before it ships.

    Pre-Order Dates

    You can start ordering the Anbernic RG557 from April 25. The company has mentioned that the early bird pricing will be available until April 28. For more insights, check out the videos below for first impressions of Anbernic’s initial gaming handheld release this year. Additionally, the company has also shared its plans for 2025, which may include the RG34XX SP and up to nine other handhelds for gamers.

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  • Powkiddy V20: Pre-order Now for Under $55 – Budget Retro Handheld

    Powkiddy V20: Pre-order Now for Under $55 – Budget Retro Handheld

    Key Takeaways

    1. Powkiddy is now accepting pre-orders for the V20, following the V10’s design but resembling the RGB20S.
    2. The V20 is powered by the Allwinner A133P chipset, unlike its predecessors that used the RK3326 chipset.
    3. It has 1 GB of DDR3 RAM, enabling it to emulate games from systems like the PSP and Nintendo 64.
    4. The device features a 3.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels and a 5,000 mAh battery.
    5. The V20 is priced at $54.99, includes a 64 GB microSD card, and offers color options of black transparent, white, and yellow.


    Powkiddy has begun accepting pre-orders for the V20, just a few weeks after information about the device appeared online. True to its name, the V20 follows the format of last year’s V10, but its design is more similar to the older RGB20S (currently priced at $66.89 on Amazon).

    Specs and Performance

    Unlike the RGB20S and V10, which use Rockchip’s RK3326 chipset, the V20 is powered by the Allwinner A133P. This chipset is also found in other retro gaming handhelds such as the MagicX Mini Zero 28, TrimUI Brick, and TrimUI Smart Pro. The device is equipped with 1 GB of DDR3 RAM. Because of this setup, the V20 should be capable of emulating games from systems like the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo 64, although some games may require frame skipping.

    Display and Battery Life

    The V20 features a 3.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, along with a 5,000 mAh battery and a 1 W speaker. Right now, Powkiddy is offering the V20 at a price of $54.99, which includes a 64 GB microSD card. It comes in black transparent, white, and yellow options. For those who want more storage, a version with a 128 GB microSD card is available for an additional $10, and users can also utilize a second microSD card to store more games.

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  • R36S Plus: Unique Retro Gaming Handheld Launches with Surprises

    R36S Plus: Unique Retro Gaming Handheld Launches with Surprises

    Game Console has been cranking out a bunch of similar consoles over the past few years, like the R46S (currently priced at $79.99 on Amazon), which came out late last year. Now, it looks like another brand has served Game Console a bit of their own medicine with a copycat called the R36S Plus.

    Specs and Features

    According to Retro Handhelds, the R36S Plus features a 3.5-inch screen and the same Rockchip RK3326 chipset as the original R36S. Plus, this compact display runs at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels with a 4:3 aspect ratio, a popular choice among makers of retro gaming handhelds.

    Performance Insights

    What sets the R36S Plus apart is its 4 GB of RAM. To put it in perspective, while even budget smartphones these days typically come with at least 4 GB of RAM, most retro gaming handhelds usually offer only 1 GB or 2 GB at most. In theory, this could mean that the R36S Plus is capable of better emulation for some games, but it will still face limitations due to its Rockchip RK3326 chipset.

    Design and Battery Life

    The R36S Plus also has a unique 360-degree d-pad along with start/select buttons instead of a second joystick. Interestingly, the device is equipped with a rather small 1,200 mAh battery, which is about one-third the size of batteries found in newer retro gaming handhelds. Right now, you can find the R36S Plus on AliExpress for about $22, available in three different colors, all measuring 132 x 93 mm.

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  • Unico Pocket: Unique Retro Handheld for SNK Neo Geo Gaming

    Unico Pocket: Unique Retro Handheld for SNK Neo Geo Gaming

    The retro gaming handheld market is currently led by a select few companies. Anbernic, for example, has been launching a new device every month since the year began, with the latest being the RG406H, which is priced at $249.99 on Amazon. Powkiddy is also a consistent competitor, along with SZDiier, who are always in the mix.

    Unico’s New Offering

    A lesser-known brand, Unico, has introduced the Pocket, aiming to set itself apart from the other recent handheld gaming consoles in a significant way. The Pocket is powered by what Unico calls a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor, which likely refers to some variant of a Rockchip chipset, possibly the Rockchip RK3328.

    Specifications to Note

    The Unico Pocket features a 4-inch IPS screen that delivers visuals at 960 x 720 pixels in a 4:3 aspect ratio, similar to the RG406H. Its dimensions are 156 x 77.6 x 17 mm, and it has the typical buttons one would expect, including a d-pad and two joysticks. Uniquely, it also has ABCD buttons, which honors the system it was designed for.

    As depicted in the image below, the Unico Pocket includes 40 games from SNK’s vast Neo Geo collection, featuring popular titles like multiple versions of The King of Fighters, Metal Slug, and Fatal Fury. However, it remains uncertain whether these games are officially licensed. Presently, the Unico Pocket can be purchased in grey and black colors for $79, with a suggested retail price of $89.


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  • Anbernic RG406H Leaked: 720p Display and PS2 Emulation Expected

    Anbernic RG406H Leaked: 720p Display and PS2 Emulation Expected

    Anbernic is getting ready to launch yet another handheld for retro gaming, probably before the year wraps up. To give you some background, not much time has passed since their last release, the RG406V (currently priced at $226.99 on Amazon). In the meantime, they’ve introduced the RG CubeXX as a less expensive option compared to the RG Cube. Additionally, they are set to launch their first wireless controller tomorrow.

    New Model in the Works

    Recently, a leak has hinted at a horizontal version of the RG406V being developed. This new model, referred to as the RG406H, is believed to be the same gadget that was earlier called the RG406P. The RG406H features a horizontal design that initially looks a lot like the RG Cube, given its d-pad, joystick, and ABXY button setup.

    Specs and Features

    Expectations are that the RG406H will come with a 4-inch IPS display in a 4:3 aspect ratio, delivering a 720p resolution. If the RG406H maintains the same specifications as the RG406V, it will operate on Android 13, powered by a 5,500 mAh battery, along with 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.2 flash storage.

    Furthermore, it appears that Anbernic is returning to the Unisoc T820 chipset for this model, which will be managed with a small active cooling system. While the exact release date remains uncertain, we believe the RG406H might hit the market in November.

    r/SBCGaming via Bob Wulff & NITTRX


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  • Anbernic Reveals Full Specs of RG CubeXX Retro Gaming Handheld

    Anbernic Reveals Full Specs of RG CubeXX Retro Gaming Handheld

    Hardly any time has gone by since Anbernic unveiled the RG CubeXX. However, the company has quickly moved forward to confirm all important specifications for the device. As anticipated, the RG CubeXX resembles the RG Cube, but it shares much of its internal components with the newer RG35XX models, such as the RG35XX SP (currently priced at $76.99 on Amazon).

    Specifications Overview

    Anbernic has outfitted the RG CubeXX with the Allwinner H700, which is a common feature in many of its budget-friendly retro gaming handhelds released in late 2023. Therefore, the RG CubeXX boasts four ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores and a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. Additionally, with 1 GB LPDDR4 RAM, this device should be powerful enough to emulate sixth-generation home video game consoles like the Dreamcast, GameCube, and some PlayStation Portable titles.

    Battery and Display Features

    In addition, the RG CubeXX comes with a 3,800 mAh battery that Anbernic claims can last up to 6.5 hours on a single charge. The device is also equipped with a 3.95-inch IPS display that supports a resolution of 720 x 720 pixels with a 1:1 aspect ratio. Notably, the RG CubeXX can connect to an external display while using a wireless controller, thanks to its built-in Bluetooth 4.2 support. While Anbernic hasn’t announced a specific release date yet, it appears that the RG CubeXX will launch later this month.


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  • Z-Pocket Game Mini: Potential Rival to GKD Pixel & Anbernic RG Nano

    Z-Pocket Game Mini: Potential Rival to GKD Pixel & Anbernic RG Nano

    It appears that Z-Pocket Game (ZPG) might be working on another retro gaming handheld device. Recently, the company showcased eight color choices for their new product, the Bubble. To provide some context, the ZPG Bubble is a horizontal gaming handheld that is expected to be capable of emulating games up to the level of PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64.

    Possible New Device: ZPG Mini

    In a recent update, NITTRX has suggested the existence of what they are calling the ZPG Mini. While the image shared below has not been verified yet, NITTRX has a track record of revealing details about upcoming retro gaming handhelds before others do. Therefore, we should not dismiss the possibility of the ZPG Mini being real.

    Design and Features

    The ZPG Mini seems to be similar in design to the GKD Pixel and Anbernic RG Nano (currently priced at $59.99 on Amazon), both of which were launched last year. This leads us to believe that the Mini will be more compact than ZPG’s current A1 Unicorn. However, ZPG has managed to incorporate what looks like a sizable d-pad, ABXY buttons, and two sets of shoulder buttons into the design. Additionally, the ZPG Mini appears to have a rear-mounted dial, but its purpose is still unclear at this time.

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  • Transform Your iPhone into a Retro Gaming Console with GameBaby

    Transform Your iPhone into a Retro Gaming Console with GameBaby

    Bitmo Lab has introduced the GameBaby, a novel mobile accessory designed specifically for iPhones, catering to fans of retro gaming. This inventive product serves a dual purpose: it acts as both a protective case and a gaming controller, featuring physical buttons for enjoying classic emulator games.

    iPhone Case Transforms into a Gaming Controller

    Contrary to other mobile controllers that must be attached separately, the GameBaby integrates seamlessly as a phone case. This design offers convenience for users who wish to alternate between normal phone use and gaming, eliminating the need for additional accessories.

    The case is composed of two segments. During gameplay, the bottom segment is positioned on the front of the iPhone, partially covering the screen and providing physical directional buttons and keys that replicate the experience of handheld consoles such as the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and NES. When not in use for gaming, this segment can be repositioned to the back of the phone, converting it into a regular protective case.

    Key Features and Compatibility

    A distinctive aspect of the GameBaby is its operation without any power source or connection to the phone itself. It utilizes capacitive touch control to function. Bitmo Lab has engineered this accessory to be compatible with the Delta emulator, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max, allowing it to accommodate various handheld console designs.

    Pricing for the GameBaby begins at $20 for the first 1,000 pre-orders, following which the price will rise to $25. Shipments are slated to commence in October. After the pre-order phase, the standard price of the GameBaby will be set at $39.99.

    Bitmo Lab’s Continued Innovation

    Bitmo Lab, recognized for its collaboration with JSAUX on Steam Deck accessories, has crafted the GameBaby as their second iPhone case, with a dedicated focus on retro gaming fans.


  • Anbernic Unveils RG40XX V Retro Gaming Handheld

    Anbernic Unveils RG40XX V Retro Gaming Handheld

    Anbernic is set to introduce the RG40XX V, a new retro gaming handheld device. This model features a 4-inch display and marks a shift from the brand’s recent horizontal devices, adopting a vertical design reminiscent of the AYANEO Pocket DMG.

    Design and Display

    Following the recent release of a new version of the K101 Plus, the Anbernic RG40XX V appears to be an extension of the RG40XX H, which is already available on Amazon. This variant is essentially a vertical iteration of the RG40XX H, boasting an IPS display with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. The device is powered by an unspecified chipset, purportedly capable of emulating retro games like Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, and PlayStation 1. This chipset may be the Allwinner H700, frequently used in Anbernic’s popular gaming handhelds.

    Features and Specifications

    The RG40XX V is equipped with a 3,200mAh battery, identical to the one in the RG40XX H. In terms of design, it lacks one joystick, drawing design parallels to the AYANEO Pocket DMG. It includes a pair of shoulder buttons and a MicroSD card reader. The device will be available in white and black translucent color options, both featuring RGB backlighting to enhance the gaming experience.

    Pricing and Availability

    Currently, there are no details regarding the pricing and release date of the RG40XX V. However, it is anticipated to launch later this month. For context, the RG40XX H is priced at $94.99.