The retro gaming community is buzzing with fresh details about Anbernic's ambitious next project. Just over a week after the company stunned fans with the first official gameplay footage of its dual-screen handheld, new images have surfaced that give us our clearest look yet at the device's physical form factor, directly comparing it to its Nintendo-made inspirations.
The new Anbernic RG DS is being positioned as the ultimate emulation solution for the beloved Nintendo DS and 3DS libraries. While the previous footage confirmed its capability to handle games from both platforms—even teasing stylus support—key details about its size and design remained a mystery. Until now.
A Glimpse from the Shadows: New Teasers Hit the Web
If you’ve been anxiously refreshing Anbernic’s global social media channels, you might have missed this latest reveal. The company has been quietly previewing the device on its QQ channel (a popular Chinese social platform), where sharp-eyed members of the Reddit community, specifically on the r/SBCGaming subreddit, managed to capture and share the new images.
re than just beauty shots; they are a direct size comparison, placing the Anbernic RG DS side-by-side with the iconic Nintendo DSi and the larger Nintendo DSi XL. This gives us our first true sense of the handheld's footprint and confirms several speculations.
Sizing Up the Competition: RG DS vs. Nintendo's Best
So, how big is the Anbernic RG DS? The official word from Anbernic confirms a width of 161 mm. To put that in perspective, that makes the RG DS significantly wider than the standard Nintendo DSi, which measures a compact 137 mm across.
The real story, however, is in its comparison to the DSi XL. The new photos suggest that the Anbernic RG DS is virtually identical in both width and height to the Nintendo DSi XL, a device celebrated for its large, comfortable screens. When unfolded, both devices appear to be in the 210-212 mm tall range.
But there's a twist. Despite matching the DSi XL's overall chassis size, Anbernic has opted for slightly smaller displays. Where the DSi XL boasts dual 4.3-inch screens, the RG DS is shown to feature dual 4.1-inch panels. This 0.2-inch deficit per screen is a curious design choice, potentially allowing for thicker bezels or a different internal component layout.
For a deeper dive into the initial screenshots and emulation performance, the team at Steam Deck HQ has a great breakdown.
The Waiting Game: Price, Release, and Speculation
The burning questions on everyone's mind remain: When can we buy it, and for how much? Anbernic is still holding its cards close to its chest regarding a firm release date. However, if we look at the company's recent launch patterns with devices like the RG476H and RG477M (which you can find on Amazon), it’s highly plausible that pre-orders for the RG DS could open before the end of the month.
The most tantalizing detail, and perhaps its biggest selling point, is the price. Anbernic has previously hinted that the RG DS will launch for under $100. If the company can deliver robust Nintendo DS and 3DS emulation, dual screens, and stylus support at that price point, it could be a watershed moment for the retro handheld market.
While we wait for an official announcement, all signs point to the Anbernic RG DS being a formidable and surprisingly affordable tribute to Nintendo's dual-screen era. For the latest official news, keep an eye on Anbernic's homepage.
*What do you think about the size of the Anbernic RG DS? Are you willing to trade a little screen space for a potential sub-$100 price tag? Let us know in the comments section below.*
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