Anbernic’s next dual-screen handheld could replace your aging Nintendo 3DS
Anbernic’s forthcoming RG DDS is a dual-screen handheld designed to run emulated games, including Nintendo 3DS titles, and could offer an alternative to ageing 3DS hardware. Its new promotional video also shows Xbox and PS3 games, though the company has not yet provided full performance details or claimed it can reproduce the 3DS’s glasses-free 3D effect.
The RG DDS has a 4.7-inch, 1,200-by-720 top screen and a 4-inch, 960-by-720 touchscreen, with aspect ratios matching the 3DS and three times the resolution of its screens. It uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 chip and a 6,000mAh battery, and includes vibration, a built-in stylus and an extra analogue stick. Price and release details remain unknown; Anbernic’s existing RG DS models start below $100, while the Ayaneo Pocket DS starts at $579.
- Anbernic’s RG DDS is built for dual-screen game emulation.
- Its two displays have three times the 3DS’s resolution.
- Price and release details have not been announced.
New here? Start with this
The Nintendo 3DS is a portable games console with two screens: the lower one is a touchscreen, and the upper one can show some games in glasses-free 3D. Nintendo stopped making the system in 2020, so older devices may be harder to replace or keep in good condition.
Anbernic makes handheld devices that run games through emulation, software that imitates other consoles. Its new model is designed with two screens and controls for games made for systems such as the 3DS. How well it runs those games, and whether it can reproduce the 3DS’s 3D effect, are not yet clear.
The device could offer another way to play games designed for the 3DS, alongside original consoles and other specialist handhelds. Its price and release date have not been announced, making it difficult to compare its cost with alternatives.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The RG DDS could give people who enjoy 3DS games a more capable modern device, with larger, sharper screens, updated controls and a substantial battery. If it performs well and is priced accessibly, it may be a practical alternative for players whose original hardware is ageing or inconvenient to use.
The case against
A new handheld may not reproduce what makes the 3DS distinctive, especially its glasses-free 3D, and the promotional footage does not establish how well demanding games will run. With price, release date and performance still unknown, buyers may be better served by keeping or repairing a 3DS rather than assuming this device is a reliable replacement.