A dual-screen clamshell device is the holy grail for retro handheld enthusiasts chasing authentic Nintendo DS emulation, but budget shoppers should tap the brakes before buying the new Anbernic RG DS. Despite immense anticipation, initial units are rolling out with critical flaws that make the device feel rushed, unpolished, and fundamentally incomplete.
While Anbernic has built a strong reputation in the budget emulation market, executing dual displays and reliable clamshell mechanics requires sophisticated software and hardware integration. Instead of a seamless plug-and-play portable, early impressions show a device plagued by deep software instability and poor optimization, leaving it far from ready for everyday gaming.
- Unfinished software: The operating system and dual-screen management lack the refinement needed for smooth navigation, making the interface clunky and unintuitive.
- Frustrating emulation experience: Rather than providing effortless DS gameplay, the system struggles with core functionality that prevents games from running as intended out of the box.
- Severe launch-window issues: The device feels rushed to market in an unreviewable state, signaling that early buyers are essentially paying to be beta testers.
- Wait for firmware fixes: Hardware revisions or major community-driven software overhauls will be necessary before this device offers real value.
Bottom line: Hold off on the Anbernic RG DS for now—budget-conscious gamers should keep their wallets closed until the software is completely overhauled, or invest in a proven single-screen handheld instead.
