Anbernic RG DS: Affordable Nintendo DS Clone Now Available for Pre-Order, Shipping December 2025

Anbernic RG DS: Affordable Nintendo DS Clone Now Available for Pre-Order, Shipping December 2025 As the retro handheld emulation market continues its rapid growth, Anbernic—a company known for its accessible and innovative gaming devices—has officially unveiled the RG DS, a new handheld designed to emulate the Nintendo DS platform.

Confirming earlier leaks and speculation, the RG DS is now available for pre-order on the Anbernic website, providing enthusiasts a chance to experience classic DS and 3DS titles in a modern, portable format.

The device starts at a competitive price of $93.99, with shipping expected to begin on December 15th, 2025. Positioned as a budget-friendly alternative for fans of Nintendo’s legendary dual-screen systems, the Anbernic RG DS sports several features reminiscent of the DS Lite and 3DS design, including metallic accents and familiar button layouts.

The RG DS sets itself apart from competitors with dual analogue sticks, dual USB-C ports, and a MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.

The handheld will be offered in three distinct colors: Black & Crimson Red, Turquoise Blue, and Polar White. Under the hood, the RG DS is powered by an RK3568 Quad-core 64-bit Cortex-A55 CPU, backed by an ARM G52 2EE GPU, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage.

The device runs on Android 14, offering both 5G WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, and is equipped with a 4000mAh battery for extended gaming sessions.

Despite these impressive specifications at its price point, there are widespread concerns regarding its ability to reliably emulate the full Nintendo DS and 3DS libraries. Retro gaming authority Retro Game Corps, after evaluating a device using the same chipset, reported that emulation performance for 3DS titles was inconsistent, while one of the leading DS emulators, MelonDS, faced significant challenges in maintaining stable frame rates.

These findings suggest that while the RG DS offers an affordable entry into handheld emulation, actual game compatibility and performance could fall short of expectations, especially with the DS and 3DS’s diverse library of titles. Anbernic’s product marketing highlights the device’s dual 640 x 480 resolution screens, which, although serviceable, are not ideal for upscaling DS and 3DS visuals.

The manufacturer’s promise of an affordable and nostalgic experience positions the RG DS as a compelling proposition, but experts advise some caution until independent reviews fully assess its real-world capabilities. The pre-order announcement follows months of speculation driven by leaks on social media and the appearance of product videos featuring different color schemes and impressive hardware features.

While an early promotional image appeared to include a Google Gemini watermark—indicative of AI-generated content—Anbernic has now confirmed the RG DS’s specifications and launch schedule through official channels. For those interested, pre-orders for the Anbernic RG DS are open on the company’s official website, with an early bird price of $93.99 (excluding shipping).

As the device prepares to ship out mid-December 2025, retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors will be eagerly awaiting hands-on impressions to see if this Android-powered DS clone lives up to the anticipation.

Nintendo Xbox Series X|S Anbernic Nintendo DS DS Xbox X|S RG DS Anbernic RG DS DS Lite 3DS Retro Game Corps MelonDS Android 14 Google Gemini Retro Handhelds