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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.

 

[EvilJagaGenius]

For me this depends on whether or not there's a Linux CFW for it. Why? Because then I can mess with ports like Quake 2 and Command and Conquer with a better touchscreen than a DS or 3DS, a massive power boost over my modded 3DS and cheaper than what the scalpers are wanting for original hardware. Also I'm glad both the D-pad and face buttons are above the sticks, I much prefer a D-pad to a stick. But if it's just gonna be an Android Retroarch machine, that's a lot less intersting.

 

[JK_]

This looks so good.
If I didn't already have their RG35XX SP (a great little thing) I would definitely get this. I have a crimson and black DS Lite and I think it's one of the best looking consoles (or devices in general) evar and this is the crimson and black DS Lite but with better screens and better specs and dual analogs. Shut up and take my money. Except I already have a retro emulation handheld so probably not

I have an RG35XXSP and I'm probably still gonna buy one. What do I mean probably? If the screen quality is the same as the SP, it'll probably replace my DS completely. Especially since the screens in mine have started turning yellow. For less than $100? Sure thing.

 

[mike3041990]

I think the market for these things is already saturated enough.

 

[Smoker1]

If it is under $100, it will be a Linux System, not Android. All their low Priced Devices are Linux, but Android Devices cost more.

 

[jomaper]

Which the DSi LL has... and they're like $35.

It'd be one thing if this could emulate the 3DS as those can get pretty expensive, but it's unlikely. And you're better off getting a cheap $40-50 single screen Anbernic for everything else.

DSi XL (which I have) are getting fucked screens, super yellow. Plus a very low PPI. I really don't understand why people are acting as if spending +40usd on a used console which will probably have issues in the short term is smarter than just getting this which is all around better.

 

[Exnor]

If it is under $100, it will be a Linux System, not Android. All their low Priced Devices are Linux, but Android Devices cost more.

And why is that ?

 

[K3Nv4]

This looks so good.
If I didn't already have their RG35XX SP (a great little thing) I would definitely get this. I have a crimson and black DS Lite and I think it's one of the best looking consoles (or devices in general) evar and this is the crimson and black DS Lite but with better screens and better specs and dual analogs. Shut up and take my money. Except I already have a retro emulation handheld so probably not

I suspect by next year we will have a device like this under $150 that can do 3ds just fine so probably best to wait anyway. RG DS2 maybe.

 

[Veho]

And why is that ?

Hardware requirements. Android is lighter than a desktop OS but it still requires beefier hardware than the lightweight Linux distros their cheaper devices are running.

 

[samcambolt270]

So, for the people confused as to why this would be a thing people want when a used ds/3ds is reasonably attainable for cheaper, the answer is screen resolution and versatility. Yes, a ds is cheaper and maybe even a 3ds too if you get a good deal but they play at 1x resolution. A 3ds is actually not fantastic for ds since the screens are only marginally larger and scaling up the screen causes bluriness so you're getting a 1x resolution ds game with blur added on top, or if you play pixel perfect, a tiny screen that doesnt use all the screen real estate. A handheld like this gives the opportunity for 2x resolution and enough pixels to fill the screen with little to no scaling issues. It has overhead to use interpolation shaders for even sharper pixels and smoother resolution scaling. Generally, if you want to play a ds game at a higher resolution, your options are a phone with a vertical aspect ration or a computer using your mouse to control the touchscreen and none of those are good options. This device is also more versatile than a ds, allowing gameplay of higher end systems in the ds form factor.
Will I get one? Probably not. Is it a better option than a ds/3ds? For some people, absolutely.

 

[THYPLEX]

Meh , Just buy a Odin Thor and be done with It.

 

[VincentBeasley]

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...

DS Lites are certainly cheap but not that cheap if you want one in good quality. The last three I bought had discolored screens. Many units have problems with the shoulder buttons and hinges due to age. Its been a gamble in my experience. But buying this is the equivalent of buying a brand-new off-the-shelf DS, which is waaaaay more than 100 bucks, and it can play other systems too as well as possibly multitask with the bottom screen due to it most likely being android based. You also don't have to fool with flash carts that could potentially die or just self destruct lol Plus real hardware cant do save states right? Oh yeah and analog sticks. Seems worth it for sub 100$

 

[captainpringles]

I have a DSi, DSi XL, and a New 3DS, but I still might pick this up. Two analog sticks are definitely a great addition imo.

 

[neotank19]

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

Where? I'll take a dozen. Nice ds lites that are not knock offs are hard to find.

 

[Marc_LFD]

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.

Are you referring to CeX? I don't think they even use a wipe to clean controllers/consoles, so it has to be the customer to do it. That's really lazy and unhygienic of them.

Or did you mean GameStation? GS was a lot better than CeX, but got bought out by GAME which is a PoS and surprisingly still exists.

 

[titan_tim]

a massive power boost over my modded 3DS and cheaper than what the scalpers are wanting for original hardware.

I'll be shocked if it can do 3ds at that price point. DS, no problem I'm sure.

 

[EvilJagaGenius]

I'll be shocked if it can do 3ds at that price point. DS, no problem I'm sure.

My (old) 3DS can't emulate SNES Star Fox but I have an RG35XXSP which can emulate Dreamcast. If Anbernic's DS has as much power as their RGXX line, that's a lot to play with. Though I admit Citra would be nice.

 

[KanaKonpaku]

I have three spare DSes that multiple family members gave me throughout the years sitting in the closet. It's cool these things exist and all, but I don't need them when I have the original hardware. Now 3DS which can be upscaled, that's a different story to me.

 

[emigre]

Are you referring to CeX? I don't think they even use a wipe to clean controllers/consoles, so it has to be the customer to do it. That's really lazy and unhygienic of them.

Or did you mean GameStation? GS was a lot better than CeX, but got bought out by GAME which is a PoS and surprisingly still exists.

Nope, used to work at game many years ago.

 

[LightyKD]

Really wish this came in white with non colored buttons and had a wider top screen. Other than that, this device looks interesting. Does anyone know if the 3DS emulator has an anaglyph 3D option?

 

[GengarsGhostlyGiggles]

So, for the people confused as to why this would be a thing people want when a used ds/3ds is reasonably attainable for cheaper, the answer is screen resolution and versatility. Yes, a ds is cheaper and maybe even a 3ds too if you get a good deal but they play at 1x resolution. A 3ds is actually not fantastic for ds since the screens are only marginally larger and scaling up the screen causes bluriness so you're getting a 1x resolution ds game with blur added on top, or if you play pixel perfect, a tiny screen that doesnt use all the screen real estate. A handheld like this gives the opportunity for 2x resolution and enough pixels to fill the screen with little to no scaling issues. It has overhead to use interpolation shaders for even sharper pixels and smoother resolution scaling. Generally, if you want to play a ds game at a higher resolution, your options are a phone with a vertical aspect ration or a computer using your mouse to control the touchscreen and none of those are good options. This device is also more versatile than a ds, allowing gameplay of higher end systems in the ds form factor.
Will I get one? Probably not. Is it a better option than a ds/3ds? For some people, absolutely.

Yea exactly. Though I really want a nintendo ds emulator that supports HD texture packs. the closest I've found so far is a fork of melonds https://github.com/noeldvictor/melonDSHD, i built it (but man i wish there was a prebuilt version)and yea I was able to make my own texture pack . . . but its still glitchy as hell. . . probably still too new to make solid texture packs. It looks like the dev is still working on it, so hopefully in 6 months to a year, it'll be stable.

just an FYI, the build instructions are wrong. you'll have to fix them to use the hd fork.