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Anbernic is the latest handheld manufacturer to jump on the dual-screen retro handheld hype train. The company teased the Anbernic RG DS, a device that packs a form factor that aligns with the Nintendo DS Lite/3DS.

While specs of the console have not been revealed, is most interesting aspect might be the pricing. The RG DS is set to be priced below $100, making the most affordable dual-screen retro handheld out there. That said, the specs might be inferior to that of the competition to maintain the budget price. We'll likely learn more about the RG DS in the coming weeks.

 

[Dark_Ansem]

*Nintendo lawsuit*: we OWN the concept of dual screen!

 

[yankii]

A DS is like $5, lol. And who doesn't have a handheld capable of emulating whatever this offers?

most affordable dual-screen retro handheld

 

[lightwo]

WTF is the point? AYN Thor is quite powerful and makes great use of space (top screen uses nearly all the space), whereas this almost takes DS Lite's layout tit-for-tat. Even the aspect ratio.

I can understand a versatile and powerful clam-shell device, but a low-power DS clone? Why? There are a ton of DSes in good condition, and flash carts exist, enabling the same experience of having a ton of games portably for a lot less money.

The only advantages I can think of in regards to DS games are a (potentially) higher resolution screen and the possibility to use sticks in games like SM64DS. Everything else sounds like a hindrance.

Knowing the existing (3)DS clones, if the touchscreen(s) would be capacitive, you'd need to carry a much larger stylus. I highly doubt that Download Play would work, though there may be emulators that implement it for all I know.

I guess this is for people who want to emulate a few more old systems than the DS can on a device designed around DS. I can understand the desire for the form factor, except I think this is the least interesting handheld to go for it. If it is so hyper-fixated on the DS while limiting itself to a sub-$100 price point, it looks more like a collector's item to me...

 

[YuseiFD]

WTF is the point? AYN Thor is quite powerful and makes great use of space (top screen uses nearly all the space, and for being a pocketable handheld, its screen is quite big), whereas this almost takes DS Lite's layout tit-for-tat. Even the aspect ratio.

I can understand a versatile and powerful clam-shell device, but a low-power DS clone? Why? There are a ton of DSes in good condition, and flash carts exist, enabling the same experience of having a ton of games portably for a lot less money.

The only advantages I can think of in regards to DS games are a (potentially) higher resolution screen and the possibility to use sticks in games like SM64DS. Everything else sounds like a hindrance.

Knowing the existing (3)DS clones, if the touchscreen(s) would be capacitive, you'd need to carry a much larger stylus. I highly doubt that Download Play would work, though there may be emulators that implement it for all I know.

I guess this is for people who want to emulate a few more old systems than the DS can on a device designed around DS. I can understand the desire for the form factor, except I think this is the least interesting handheld to go for it. If it is so hyper-fixated on the DS while limiting itself to a sub-$100 price point, it looks more like a collector's item to me...

It's the sub 100 bux part that makes the difference, i have a phone powerful enough to emulate most consoles, for higher emulation, i use moonlight to stream my pc to my phone.

However, it is a pain to emulate ds and 3ds (visuals wise), so this is literally for people who want to see crisp ds emulation, 3ds would be awkward with those screens lol

It will also be perfect for gb, gbc, nes, snes and all other non widescreen consoles, as it won't hurt the lcd with burnins or pixel dims

 

[lightwo]

It's the sub 100 bux part that makes the difference, i have a phone powerful enough to emulate most consoles, for higher emulation, i use moonlight to stream my pc to my phone.

However, it is a pain to emulate ds and 3ds, so this is literally for people who want to see crisp ds emulation, 3ds would be awkward with those screens lol

It will also be perfect for gb, gbc, nes, snes and all other non widescreen consoles, as it won't hurt the lcd with burnins or pixel dims

I guess it's fair, it's just not for me. I don't see a big advantage, but clearly there's market for it.

 

[ciaomao]

The antithesis to ONEXSUGAR

 

[Izual Urashima]

From what has been gathered about this single preview :

- Tactile second screen. So very probably Android-based device. Which is more or less confirmed by the addition of the fourth extra button under the sticks, which is one of the dedicated Android buttons.
- Second screen, obviously. So we can hope to get the same advantage as with other Anbernic custom OS, the display of text files on the second screen, which is a boon for old games as you can have a RPG with lots of missables on one screen, and the missables guide from GameFAQS on the other.
- Anbernic under 100$, so something at least on the H700 level. So N64/DS/PS1/PSP/DC confirmed, N64/PSP needing some tweaks depending of the game.
- Anbernic, so good hinges assuming you don't go with translucid models.

Grabbing a DS is quite easy, but both Fat and Lite models are getting hinges break left and right, and i and i XL can't read some formats (no DS can play PS1/PSP/DC/N64, but i and i XL sometimes have a hard time with 16bit games, especially chip-dependent ones, in addition to that).

There is potential.

 

[TheStonedModder]

A DS is like $5, lol. And who doesn't have a handheld capable of emulating whatever this offers?

A DS is like $5 because the batteries a long bad in most cases and all of their screens have a massive yellowing issue

And no one makes goose replacements..nor are those parts easy to replace

Also sure you can emulate ds on most things but it’s an awkard experience at best with the user always compromising on something

Especially with touch screen games like Zelda phantom hourglass.

 

[Frexxos]

Where do you guys get a DS for like 5$? I guess in the US.
In germany it is already crazy how much they want for and old used DS. Just some random prizes I found, October 25 for USED consoles off the 2nd hand market from private sellers, no shops (they are even more expensive!) Just "kleinanzeigen"

• DS: 60-150 Euro
• DSi XL: 70-150 Euro
• 3DS: ca. 90-120 Euro
• 3DS XL: 200 Euro upwards
• 2DS XL: around 150 Euro

Sooo, if they bring this console for like 100 bucks and it can run almost everything: i still won't buy it but maybe its something for someone.

 

[TheStonedModder]

Where do you guys get a DS for like 5$? I guess in the US.
In germany it is already crazy how much they want for and old used DS. Just some random prizes I found, October 25 for USED consoles off the 2nd hand market from private sellers, no shops (they are even more expensive!) Just "kleinanzeigen"

• DS: 60-150 Euro
• DSi XL: 70-150 Euro
• 3DS: ca. 90-120 Euro
• 3DS XL: 200 Euro upwards
• 2DS XL: around 150 Euro

Sooo, if they bring this console for like 100 bucks and it can run almost everything: i still won't buy it but maybe its something for someone.

$5 is a bit dramatic that’s about the prides here too unless you get a yard sale that hasn’t looked on eBay first which is very rare now

Ds 50-80 usd
Dsi and xls are 90-200
3ds is 2-450 depending on model and if it’s an XL varient

3ds’ used to be a dime a dozen here before covid I was buying those for like $100 at one point

 

[Esdeath]

I will probably get an ayn Thor later, but it is great that there is an option for every budget now.

 

[AlamosIT]

Interesting solution for people that don't own a 3DS

 

[TheStonedModder]

Interesting solution for people that don't own a 3DS

I jsut wish that the 3ds had an easy way to speed up gameplay

I loved my GBA and DS because you could naturally mod them to allow speed up and slowdown via the clock

 

[Cranesbill]

No thanks, I'll stick to my 3DS

 

[Jayro]

A DS is like $5, lol. And who doesn't have a handheld capable of emulating whatever this offers?

Yeah, but dual IPS screens bro.

 

[MasterJ360]

Do ppl just have a lawsuit fetish these days?

 

[SDA]

Can't you just buy yourself an official Nintendo DS, DS Lite or DSi instead?

 

[emigre]

Can't you just buy yourself an official Nintendo DS, DS Lite or DSi instead?

This will have/likely have:

Better Screens
USB C charging
Make games look better
Fast forward gaems
A fresh hinge to fuck up
Reasonably priced
Be clean - used to work at British equivalent of gamestop, used DS systems were vile. Maybe British kids were just disgusting.

OG DS is 20 years old. My OG DS lite has been in my life longer than my nearly 17 year old Nephew. Having this as an option is a good thing if you don't want to go through 15 year old hardware.

 

[MasterJ360]

Can't you just buy yourself an official Nintendo DS, DS Lite or DSi instead?

Yeah, but the prices will be high for them as well even at local pawn shops. I couldn't believe pkmn FR/LG was set at $90 each. If this thing has a built in emulator I might be sold on it. I kinda want to get away from flashcarts. My SuperDSTwo is still amazing, but drains the battery.