Tag Archives: Anbernic

Anbernic RG SP is an ultra-slim, modern reinterpretation of the Game Boy Advance SP

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Game Boy SP Advance, released way back in 2003, captured the imagination of portable gaming fanatics for all the good reasons. The retro handheld still has an unquenched appeal for its nostalgic design and folding form factor. Anbernic has a profound affinity for the GBA SP, as we saw the Linux-based Anbernic RG35XXSP bring back old memories.

The gaming accessories maker is back again with a GBA SP-inspired emulation handheld that looks and feels more refined than the earlier interpretation. This ultra-slim clamshell gadget dubbed Anbernic RG SP is designed “to relive the pure joy of the 2D golden era.” The handheld instantly takes you back to the era with its premium metallic finish and the acrylic logo badge.

Designer: Anbernic

In a world where we have graduated to the modern design of the RG Rotate, the RG SP handheld has a distinct place in the hearts of millennial-era gamers like me. Playing 2D games on this gadget is going to be a focused affair as Anbernic understandably drops the idea of adding a joystick on this one. Instead, there is a classic D-pad and button layout with refined tactile input. The handheld has narrow screen bezels, making the 3.4-inch IPS display (720 × 480 resolution) – which is three times the resolution of the original GBA SP stand out. Retro games can be scaled to perfection courtesy of the 3 times scaling, making emulation an easy affair.

Also, the body is 10 percent thinner than the original GBA SP. On the inside, there is the H700 chipset to play any 2D retro game without any lag. In the gameplay video, Anbernic demos the device playing Game Boy Advance titles including Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Fire Emblem, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, and Pokémon Emerald. Running games made for PSP, PlayStation 1, and SEGA Dreamcast should also be no problem. What’s interesting is the gadget running Stardew Valley port and PC version of Cuphead: Don’t Deal with the Devil from Steam.

The sleek handheld can be connected wirelessly to your TV with the casting option, and paired to a Bluetooth controller like the Gamesir G8 Plus for an enhanced level of gameplay. Dual alloy hinges on the gadget make it easy to place the handheld in any desired orientation, or have multi-angle positioning. The gadget also gets a microSD card slot and 3.5mm audio jack to keep the nostalgia flowing.

Anbernic RG SP will be available in premium metallic finishes including Platinum, Graphite, Black, Teal and Pearl Pink. The only color I would have loved to see is the Metallic Blue, which defined the GBA SP for me. That said, there is no word yet on the pricing or the availability of the ultra-slim retro gaming handheld, but we’ll keep our eyes and ears open.

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Anbernic RG 55G1 is a Switch Lite inspired handheld powered by the Snapdragon SoC

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Anbernic has slowly clawed its way into the Android handheld market with stellar offerings that have excellent build, quality, a nostalgic design language, and powerful guts that can play AAA games without breaking a sweat. The shell options and the freedom to choose from a variety of form factors, right from tiny pocket devices to Nintendo-inspired designs, make their handheld gaming consoles special.

Now the Guangdong-based gaming accessories maker has just revealed the RG 55G1 handheld, which has more of the Nintendo-style layout. There were rumors in the air that the company was working on a couple of handhelds based on the discontinued Nintendo devices, but for now, the maker has announced just one of them. This is the Anbernic RG 55G1 handheld, which gives off the Nintendo Switch Lite vibes. If I compare it to the existing models, the new handheld does look pretty similar to the Retroid Pocket 6.

Designer: Anbernic

While on the superficial level, the handheld is inspired by the Switch Lite, on a closer look, it has some key differences. The device has “double shot” face buttons teased in the video trailer. While I don’t exactly have an idea what that means, it could be the buttons being made out of dual layers of molded plastic – one for the button functionality and the other for text function. Glass on the handheld is gently curved at the edge, and Anbernic calls it the 2.5D glass design. Predictably, the handheld gets the Hall-Effect joysticks and triggers, along with the USB-C port and SD card slot to complete the functionality set.

The horizontal orientation handheld is speculated to have a 5.5-inch display and could most likely be powered by the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 SoC. If the latter is true, this will be the first time an Anbernic handheld will have a Qualcomm processor, as opposed to the MediaTek or RockChip processors in previous versions. These two speculations stem from the fact that the naming convention usually gives away the device’s specifications, as with the previously released versions. If the handheld has this hardware, playing PlayStation 2 games should be a breeze on this retro-futuristic device.

For now, there is no revelation about the other hardware specs, nor is there any hint of the release date or the pricing. The only thing conclusive is the color options that the RG 55G1 will be released in – Indigo, Retro Gray, and Black. This is the second handheld announcement this week, along with the AYANEO Pocket Micro 2 powered by a Snapdragon chip, on which we’ll have more in the coming days.

 

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ANBERNIC RG Rotate handheld with swivelling display doubles as a music player

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Handheld gaming has just exploded in the last year or so with players like Ayaneo, Analouge, ANBERNIC and Retroid catching the pulse of handheld gamers. There’s one for every type of gamer, whether someone who likes things arcade, retro modern, or a demanding nerd who wants to have a compact console to play AAA titles.

ANBERNIC has been in the news lately due to their rumoured handheld with a rotating screen, and now things are official. Their next retro gaming handheld, called RG Rotate, looks somewhat like the Motorola FlipOut phone, which was released way back in mid-2010. The idea here is to emulate classic console titles and also double as a music player since the device can play MP3 files.

Designer: ANBERNIC

Building on the success of the RG Slide and the exciting prospect of the RG DS, the brand was confident enough to introduce a rotating-screen handheld to its gaming community. The result is an Android handheld that is compact enough to fit in a pocket yet powerful enough to play demanding arcade classics without breaking a sweat. This device has a peculiar pivoting square display that hides the D-pad and the buttons.

This rotating action relies on the proprietary ultra-thin alloy hinge mechanism, which should be durable enough to take on the constant movement that gamers are going to put it through. After all, it has gone through high durability testing, even though it was an engineering challenge for the brand. The confidence of a successful hinge mechanism and the constant movement on the RG DS should have brought enough input to go with this form factor.

The RG Rotate comes with swappable in-line L2 and R2 buttons to toggle the height of the shoulder buttons as per liking. This handheld also comes with a single USB-C port and a microSD card, but surprisingly, it doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack, given that it has built-in capability to play MP3 files. The only option left is to play music via the Type-C port. The aluminium screen frame handheld comes in two color options: Polar Black and Aurora Silver, which both have different body builds. One has an aluminum body frame, while the other has an ABS plastic body.

There is no word yet about the pricing or the availability of the rotating screen handheld. Also, there is no confirmation whether the two different body frame options will be released together or at different times.

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Anbernic RG G01 gaming controller monitors your heart rate while you play

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Anbernic is known for its retro gaming handheld devices has a respectable lineup of controllers as well. Looking to take the challenge to market leaders like GameSir and 8BitDo, the Chinese gaming accessories maker has revealed the RG G01 wireless controller for smartphones, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The gamepad does all the stuff that you’d expect from a gaming accessory, but has features you normally don’t see in gaming accessories.

The controller has a heart rate sensor embedded in the grip where your palms rest to identify when you are pumping too much adrenaline in action and should cool down a bit. These sensors measure your pulse in real time, displaying it on the controller’s screen and even triggering an alarm when your rate spikes. Anbernic calls it their first pro-level gamepad, and stamping the internal with a heart rate sensor may not help you detect any terminal signs, but it will let you keep an eye on how intensely you are engulfed in action.

Designer: Anbernic

Another standout feature with the RG G01 (RG for Retro Gaming) is the inclusion of Purple Kirin inductive joysticks that use capacitive sensing for accurate movement. This is done by measuring the small electric currents and turning them into digital signals to control movement. Unlike the Hall effect or TMR joysticks, which employ magnetic fields, already a technology used in high-end gamepads, this is a level higher. Complementing this are dual-mode triggers that let you switch between linear feel for nuanced control and microswitch mode for crisp actuation in shooters or racing games.

Anbernic’s RG G01 builds on that foundation with a suite of upgrades aimed at gamers who want more control and customization right in their hands. At the heart of its innovation is a built-in 2.5-inch HD smart screen that lets players adjust button mappings, create and manage macros, and fine-tune settings without opening an app on a phone or PC. This on-device control makes configuration intuitive and keeps you in the flow of your session.  The RG G01 offers Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired USB-C modes, all with a 1000 Hz polling rate that helps ensure ultra-low latency whether you’re playing locally or in a competitive environment. This high polling rate, typically found in premium gamepads, means inputs are registered quickly and consistently across platforms like PC, SteamOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.

The controller doesn’t skimp on motion or tactile feedback either. A six-axis gyroscope enables motion controls in compatible games, while dual asymmetric pendulum motors deliver immersive vibration feedback that responds to in-game action. Programmable macro buttons on the rear add another layer of control, letting you assign complex input sequences to simple presses—handy for fighting games or intensive multiplayer titles.

Anbernic hasn’t confirmed pricing or exact availability yet, but the RG G01 is positioned above its previous budget-oriented controllers, like the RG P01 and RG DS, suggesting a more premium price point. As a versatile, fully featured controller with distinct hardware upgrades and cross-platform support, the RG G01 offers a compelling option for gamers who want deeper control and unique features beyond what conventional gamepads provide.

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