Anbernic finally delivers the Game Boy Advance SP that nostalgia always imagined.

After spending time with Anbernic’s new retro handheld, their RGSP, my hands-on review is now posted. Mine got super delayed because I have a ton of other things I’ve been working on, so I’m sure not much in here will be a surprise to anyone. But if you’re a fan of written articles, then this might (at least) tick that nostalgia box for you.

Alongside the usual and typical review content in here (controls, ergonomics, stock OS, games) I spoke with Frysee, the lead developer of NextUI, and pvaibhav, who has been leading much of the H700/RG SP implementation, about what it takes to bring NextUI’s firmware experience to Anbernic’s latest clamshell effort. Frysee’s dev unit arrived a good few days ago, so by the time you all have these in your hands, whatever tiny quirks will have been well ironed out.

Their takes on topics like boot times, display calibration, lid detection, feature parity with stock firmware, and the philosophy behind creating a true “pick up and play” experience was nice, and add a perspective.

I hope at least some of you here enjoy it :)

  • __Lost__@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    1·
    5 hours ago

    Great review, very thorough. Good timing too since I need a new emulator. I had an rg40xxv that i really like, but i dropped it a little while ago and the screen is broken now. Would you recommend this one, or the rotate? The prices are close enough that either is fine, and I’m not going to play anything newer than psx. These both look like really nice form factors for me, since i usually use this on trips.

    The rgsp has the same soc as the rg40xxv, so i know how that performs. The rotate looks like it should be more powerful, but does it matter? Is it powerful enough to use better crt shaders?

  • kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    1 day ago

    Great review as always!

    Might have to get one as a dedicated romhack machine, despite already having two perfectly functional SP’s. I think the display and speed up should be well worth the price of admission over either the PSP or 3DS that I keep alternating between.

    But I am one of those people that find clicky buttons annoying. But seems like the tape mod is supposed to work pretty well?

    • PerfectDark@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
      3·
      24 hours ago

      I’ve had so many SP’s, but I think while I adore the form factor so much, the modern conveniences of things like save states, fast-forwarding, the display and all the other bits make this the logical choice…for me.

      Physical it feels exactly the same in my hands, a perfect little boxy box :)

      But seems like the tape mod is supposed to work pretty well?

      I wouldn’t even call these the most clicky-clicky. They are a bit, but they’re really fine. Two layers will dampen that totally though, and you’ll have zero issues at all. I really can’t recommend this one enough, if you’re after GBA games as good as they can be!

      • PerfectDark@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
        5·
        24 hours ago

        This one solves that! Close the lid and it will suspend right there until you open it :)

        And being Linux means that the battery life will be much better with that closed-lid suspension over what Android would manage!!!

        • Xilence@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          1·
          9 hours ago

          Ooh, PD, that one I have to fight you on. My RGSP hemorrhages battery in sleep. It’s fine for like, 10-15 minutes, but anything over an hour and you’re seeing a 20% or more loss of battery. I’ve taken to saving and shutting down. That way, it lasts for days, instead of an afternoon.

  • zeograd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 day ago

    Thanks for the review. I ordered one after finishing reading it. It sounds like the kind of device I was missing in my life :)