Nintendo DS got a Chinese copy! It runs on Android, has two displays, and is extra cheap

Chinese manufacturer Anbernic officially confirmed the existence of RG DS – a dual-screen handheld gaming console inspired by the Nintendo DS. After a month of speculation, during which some YouTubers called the leaked video a fake, the company released an official announcement.

First they denied, then they confirmed

The story of RG DS began a month ago when a video showing a new dual-screen handheld appeared online. Anbernic denied the video – or at least that’s how it sounded. The person who published the footage shortly after claimed it was a fake. Discussions on Reddit and YouTube flared up, with some experts claiming it was an AI-generated render.

Now it’s clear that the video was real – Anbernic apparently pressured the author to claim otherwise until the company released an official announcement. A typical strategy to maintain control over marketing, but it resulted in a month of confusion and speculation.

What we know about RG DS

The official video from Anbernic shows the device in four color variants: black with red, cyan blue (reminiscent of the original Nintendo DS Lite), white, and partially transparent. The design is classic – two displays, two analog sticks, a D-pad, and action buttons. The console has a folding design, so it fits in a pocket without the risk of scratching the screen.

Anbernic has not yet released exact specifications, but the Reddit community has already started estimating details. According to an analysis of the USB-C port size, the screens should have a diagonal of around 4 inches, which is slightly larger than the original DS Lite (3.25 inches). The resolution is estimated at 1024 × 768 pixels.

What chip will be inside?

The biggest question remains the processor. For less than $100, miracles cannot be expected, so several options are being speculated. The most likely candidate is the Allwinner H728 – a successor to the popular H700, which Anbernic used in dozens of models. According to benchmarks, it should be several times more powerful than the H700 and approach the performance of the Snapdragon 662.

Other options include the Rockchip RK3566 or a cheap Mediatek chip. In any case, this is a hardware class that can handle Nintendo DS emulation without problems, but it’s not enough for 3DS. The MelonDS emulator, which supports higher resolution and RetroAchievements, might work, but not always with smooth fps.

Cheaper than the original, but…

The original Nintendo DS cost $149.99 when it launched in 2004. The RG DS will cost less than $100 (about 2,100 Czech crowns), which is a very aggressive price for a dual-screen handheld console.

But there’s a catch with the price. Anbernic suspended direct shipments from China to the USA in April this year due to customs tariffs. The situation then calmed down, but Donald Trump recently announced another round of tariffs on Chinese goods. For American customers, the RG DS could therefore end up costing $150 to $200, which is no longer as appealing.

For European customers, the situation is more favorable for now – Anbernic has warehouses in Europe, so import fees should not be a problem. If the company keeps its word and the price truly remains below the $100 mark, it will be one of the cheapest dual-screen handhelds on the market.

Does a foldable make sense at this price?

The question remains, who is the RG DS intended for. If you want to play Nintendo DS games, you have several options. You can buy an original DS Lite or DSi on the used market. You can also buy a cheaper single-screen handheld and play with a hybrid screen layout. Or you can get the RG DS.

The advantage of the RG DS is an authentic gaming experience – two side-by-side displays, a folding design, compact dimensions. The disadvantage is that for a similar price, you can get a more powerful device that can emulate more systems. For example, the Retroid Pocket Classic with a Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 chip costs around $120 and can even handle lighter GameCube or PlayStation 2 games.

The RG DS makes sense primarily for people who are looking for a specialized device for DS games and do not want to experiment with a hybrid screen layout on a regular handheld. If you are a fan of classic games like The World Ends With You, Pokémon, or Professor Layton, the RG DS will offer the closest experience to the original.

When will it be released and where can I get it?

Anbernic usually starts selling new models shortly after the official announcement. Given that the video was released at the beginning of October, a market launch is expected this month, possibly even during 11.11 – a Chinese sales holiday similar to Black Friday.

Are you interested in a dual-screen handheld, or are you content with a single screen and a hybrid layout?

Source: Notebookcheck, Engadget, Reddit