Key Takeaways
1. Companies are shifting focus to budget-friendly clamshell designs to compete with the Anbernic RG35XX SP priced at $69.99.
2. Anbernic’s RG DS closely resembles the Nintendo DSi and is available for pre-order at around $109.
3. The RG DS runs on Android 14 but lacks the Play Store and Play Services, possibly due to hardware limitations.
4. The device can emulate most Nintendo DS titles and some 3DS games, but has issues with input lag and screen refresh rates.
5. Reviewers have provided mixed insights on the RG DS’s design and performance, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.
Earlier this year, companies that make gaming handhelds started to focus on budget-friendly clamshell designs to compete with the Anbernic RG35XX SP, which is currently priced at $69.99 on Amazon. A few months later, Ayaneo and Ayn entered the market with their premium dual-screen devices, named the Pocket DS and Thor. Then, just this month, Anbernic introduced the RG DS as a more affordable option.
Similarities to Nintendo DSi
The RG DS is designed to closely mimic the Nintendo DSi and can still be pre-ordered for about $109, not including any launch discounts. YouTubers like The Phawx have noted that Anbernic paid attention to the finer details of the DSi, such as its shiny top surface, matte underside, and joystick arrangement. Nevertheless, Adin Walls feels that the design choices made by Anbernic come off as somewhat cheap, especially when compared to the firm’s other recent handheld devices.
Performance and Compatibility
Running on Android 14, the RG DS is expected to be compatible with modern games available on the Google Play Store. However, Anbernic has not included the Play Store or Play Services out of the box. The Phawx thinks this might be due to the RG DS’ less powerful Rockchip RK3568 chipset and its 3 GB of RAM, which might struggle to run both services while playing games.
Emulation Capabilities
That said, the RG DS is capable of emulating most Nintendo DS titles and some 3DS games. Unfortunately, the touch sampling rate on the RG DS screens results in longer input lag compared to Nintendo’s handhelds. Additionally, the inactive screen’s refresh rate drops to about 40 Hz after 30-40 seconds, causing a delay when playing dual-screen games until the inactive screen is tapped. It is hoped that Anbernic will address this issue with a software update before the RG DS starts shipping next month.
Review Insights
In summary, Adin Walls, ETA Prime, Retro Handhelds, and The Phawx have all weighed in on the RG DS, offering insights into its design and performance.
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