Let’s be real—emulating the Nintendo DS on a standard single-screen device has always been a compromise. You are usually stuck dealing with tiny, squished windows or constantly toggling between displays, which completely kills the immersion of games designed for that unique clamshell experience. We have seen high-end attempts to fix this, like the AYANEO Flip DS, but dropping hundreds of dollars on a retro handheld just to play Nintendogs or Mario Kart isn’t in the cards for most of us. That is exactly why the new Anbernic RG DS is such a big deal.
The price is easily the most attractive part of this package. You can currently snag the RG DS on AliExpress for roughly $130 to $170, depending on current sales and bundle options. For that entry fee, you are getting a device that feels like a modern spiritual successor to Nintendo’s best-selling handheld, complete with necessary upgrades like dual analog sticks and Android 14. I have spent the last few days putting it through its paces to see if it is just a nostalgia trip or a legitimate daily driver for retro fans. Here is everything you need to know about the Anbernic RG DS.
Design & Build Quality
Picking this device up for the first time immediately triggers some serious muscle memory. Anbernic clearly studied the DSi XL blueprint closely because the RG DS feels like a direct homage to that era, perhaps with a little DNA from the DS Lite mixed in. It has that substantial, premium weight to it, sitting comfortably in the hands without feeling like a hollow plastic toy.
I’m looking at the Black and Crimson Red model, and the finish is genuinely impressive. The top shell sports a deep, metallic red with a nice beveled edge that catches the light, giving it a sleek, modern look. If red isn’t your style, they also released a Turquoise version that screams retro Nintendo, along with a clean White option. The dimensions are almost identical to the old DSi XL, meaning it’s pocketable but large enough to not cramp your hands during long sessions.
Opening the clamshell reveals the main attraction: two 4-inch IPS displays. I really appreciate that Anbernic used the exact same panel for both the top and bottom. We’ve seen other manufacturers mix and match screen sizes or resolutions, which always looks a bit off, but the uniformity here is satisfying. Both are fully laminated touchscreens with a 640×480 resolution, ensuring the visuals are sharp and the brightness is consistent across the board.
The hinge is usually where these third-party handhelds fail, but Anbernic developed a new “industrial” hinge mechanism specifically for this device. It feels incredibly sturdy. You can open it to your preferred angle, and it stays locked in place without any wobble or flop. I tried shaking it around a bit, and it didn’t budge, which gives me a lot of confidence in its long-term durability.
For controls, you get the standard D-pad and face buttons, but they’ve added dual analog sticks that sit flush with the surface, very similar to the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. Around the back, the shoulder buttons use a chiclet-style design. They are clicky, digital buttons rather than analog triggers, which makes sense given the retro systems you’ll be playing on this. The I/O is mostly tucked away on the top edge, featuring two USB-C ports and a MicroSD card slot, while the volume rocker and power button sit on the right side. They even included a capacitive stylus, though it is a bit thin for my taste.
The Dual-Screen Experience
The main reason you buy a device like this is for the screens, and Anbernic made the right call by keeping things symmetrical. You get two identical 4-inch IPS panels here, both sporting a 640×480 resolution. This might sound low if you are used to modern smartphones, but for a 4-inch display, it is plenty sharp, and more importantly, it is the perfect aspect ratio for retro content.
I have tested other handhelds that try to emulate this form factor, and they almost always mess up the balance. Usually, you get a decent screen up top and a smaller, dimmer, or lower-quality screen at the bottom. It can be incredibly distracting when the colors shift or the brightness doesn’t match as your eyes move between the two. With the RG DS, the experience is completely unified. The color temperature and maximum brightness are exactly the same on both panels, making it feel like one cohesive piece of hardware rather than two spare parts glued together.
Another modern twist is that both displays are fully touch-enabled. Original hardware enthusiasts know that the top screen on a DS was never touch-sensitive, but having touch on both panels here is a massive quality-of-life upgrade. Since this device runs on Android, being able to swipe down the notification shade or tap an icon on the top screen feels natural. It also gives you more flexibility in how you configure your emulators, allowing you to map virtual buttons or menus wherever you want them.
Software & User Interface
Running the show is Android 14, which gives you a massive library of apps and emulators right out of the box. Navigating Android on a dual-screen device is surprisingly intuitive, but the real challenge with a setup like this is usually controller mapping. Since Android typically only recognizes one “active” app or screen for controller input, you might worry about how the system knows which screen you are trying to control.
Anbernic solved this with a dedicated “RG” button located on the right side. This is easily the most important button on the device. A single tap instantly toggles the built-in controller focus between the top and bottom screens. You get a little on-screen notification telling you exactly where your inputs are going, which makes swapping between two different active apps seamless. You don’t have to dive into settings menus or mess with Bluetooth configs; you just tap and play.
You have two main ways to interact with the interface. By default, you are dropped into the standard stock Android launcher, which works exactly like a tablet. It gives you total freedom to install third-party front-ends, widgets, or streaming apps. However, if you prefer a more curated, console-like experience, a long press of that RG button launches Anbernic’s proprietary game front-end. It automatically scans your MicroSD card, pulls in artwork, and organizes your library by system. It is a great option if you just want to pick up the device and start gaming without distractions.
One of the coolest byproducts of having this much screen real estate and a modern OS is the multitasking potential. You can legitimately run dual apps simultaneously. I found myself running a YouTube walkthrough on the top screen while playing an RPG on the bottom, or even having two different emulators running at the same time. It turns the RG DS into a productivity multitasking tool, not just a game console.
Performance & Emulation
Under the hood, Anbernic went with the Rockchip RK3568 processor paired with 3GB of RAM. If you follow the handheld scene, you know this chipset well. It isn’t a bleeding-edge powerhouse, but it is a reliable workhorse that helps keep the price tag hovering around that $130 mark.
Since this is a dual-screen device, Nintendo DS emulation is the priority, and I am happy to report it runs beautifully. Using the Drastic emulator, games like Sonic Rush run at full speed with no hiccups. Because of the screen layout, you don’t have to mess with settings to get the windows aligned; you just boot the game, and it fills both screens exactly how you remember. You can use the stylus for touch-heavy games, or just stick to the physical controls for platformers and RPGs.
Beyond the DS library, this chip handles plenty of other retro systems without breaking a sweat. Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 1, Dreamcast, and N64 all run fantastic here. I even tested some PSP titles like Tekken, and the performance was solid, though you will be playing those on just the top screen.
However, you need to keep your expectations in check regarding newer systems. While the RK3568 can technically boot some GameCube or PlayStation 2 games, it is not going to be a playable experience for most titles. The same goes for the 3DS library. You might get away with some lighter 2D indie titles or turn-based strategy games, but don’t expect to play heavy 3D hitters like Metroid: Samus Returns at full speed. This device is firmly targeted at the DS, N64, and PS1 era.
Battery life is respectable for a device driving two screens. It packs a 4000mAh battery, and in my testing, I was getting around 6 hours of playtime. That will vary depending on screen brightness and how demanding the emulator is, but it is plenty for a long commute or a lazy afternoon on the couch.
Pros, Cons, & The Verdict
After spending some real quality time with the RG DS, it’s easy to see where this device shines and where it cuts a few corners to keep that price tag down.
Pros
- Authentic Design: Nails the “DSi XL” look and feel; the clamshell form factor is comfortable and premium.
- Sturdy Hinge: The new industrial hinge mechanism is solid, holds angles well, and doesn’t wobble.
- Matching Displays: Dual 4-inch IPS screens with identical resolution and brightness look fantastic and uniform.
- Touch Everywhere: Both screens are fully touch-enabled, making Android navigation and DS gameplay much smoother.
- The “RG” Button: Instantly toggles controls between screens, fixing the biggest headache of dual-screen emulation on Android.
- Great Value: At around $100, the build quality and feature set are hard to beat.
- Solid Battery: Expect about 6 hours of gameplay, which is respectable for driving two displays.
Cons
- Aging Chipset: The RK3568 is great for retro classics (DS, N64, PSP) but hits a hard wall with GameCube, PS2, and demanding 3DS titles.
- Tinny Audio: Front-firing speakers get loud but lose depth and sound sharp at high volumes.
- Cheap Stylus: The included capacitive pen is thin, flimsy, and doesn’t match the quality of the rest of the device.
- Digital Triggers: The shoulder buttons are clicky “chiclet” style rather than analog triggers, which feels fine for retro games but less premium.
Conclusion
Anbernic releases a dizzying amount of handhelds every year, but the RG DS feels like one of their most thoughtful products yet. Instead of just chasing higher specs or a slightly different horizontal shape, they identified a genuine gap in the market and filled it. They didn’t just slap two screens together; they built a device that understands what made the DS era special and translated it into a modern Android package.
It isn’t perfect—the audio could be better, and the chipset has a hard ceiling—but it nails the fundamentals where it counts. You get a fantastic build, a hinge that actually works, and a screen setup that makes retro gaming feel authentic again. For roughly $130, it is arguably the best way to experience that massive library of dual-screen games without dealing with the quirks of original, aging hardware.
If you have been holding off on a retro handheld because nothing felt quite right for your Pokemon Black or Zelda: Spirit Tracks replays, the wait is over. Anbernic has pulled off a serious win here. Now the only real question is: are you grabbing the clean White model, or is that metallic Crimson Red calling your name?
