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The Anbernic RG DS Plus Is The Best DS Handheld Yet (gardinerbryant.com)
submitted 1 day ago by [M] to c/games@lemmy.world
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I’ve just published my time with the Anbernic RG DS Plus, the bulk of this is the usual review things, but of some note was that I got to chat directly with Anbernic about the device and their take on it: why they revisited the original RG DS, the new NNDDSS emulator and some of the design decisions behind the Plus.

The RG DS Plus itself is Anbernic's second iteration of making a NDS-focused retro handheld. I love this one so much.

I also spoke with the devs behind Cocoon, who are working on bringing Cocoon (a super 3DS-ish front-end/launcher for dual screen handhelds) to the RG DS Plus very soon. Just a bit of a chance to look a little beyond the hardware itself and at what this could mean for dual-screen Linux handhelds going forward, Cocoon for the DS Plus isn't far off now (they're moving from being Android-only to both Android and Linux!)

If you’re interested in the RG DS Plus, DS emulation or where these weird little dual-screen handhelds are heading, you might like this one!

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[–] 5 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Can somebody tell me personally if handheld consoles like this worth the buck for someone who mainly plays on PC? I have some portable consoles but they are too fucking big to move around, even the Nintendo Switch OLED doesn't fit in your pocket, but I remember that the Nintendo DS/3DS was a beast, should I buy it?

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  • [–] [S] 3 points 18 hours ago

    This is a deceptively 'easy' one to answer.

    I spent a few years exclusively covering the Steam Deck. It was my travel handheld until I got into retro handhelds (and then since then...reviewing them!). Carrying something like this around is a breeze. While it is bigger than the original RG DS, it is inherently portable (and protects its own screens by design, too!)

    The question is what kind of systems you want to emulate? DS & 3DS? PS2/Game Cube and below? Switch?

    I really, really love this DS Plus, it feels 'right' to me, it really is like if Nintendo took another swing at these. I'm testing some custom firmware for it now, called GammaOS (he just released it a day or so back, and has updated it thrice since then!), so you've got options. If you want to ask me anything about any retro handheld though, I'm on Discord with a username of perfecteddark if you need any advice!

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  • [–] 5 points 21 hours ago (1 child)

    I can't speak to this model specifically, haven't tried it, but my impression is that if you are specifically looking to play DS/3DS games, original hardware is still the best way to go, especially since they're so easily moddable.

    If you're looking to emulate other platforms though, there are quite a lot of great pocketable devices on the market. I bought a Miyoo Mini Plus three years ago and joked that I liked it so much I wish I'd bought a more expensive model with analog sticks.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 18 hours ago

    The problem with original hardware (I collect it obsessively!) is that the age is starting to work against it. Screens yellow and condition gets worse. The cost of original units is skyrocketing too (esp the 'New' Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL line, the price on those is obscene!)

    The benefits of save states, upscaling (upscaling something like Zelda on my AYN Thor by 5x is crazy), it is just hard to argue against. That said though, emulation of 3DS specifically isn't 100% there yet, it has a long way to go. DS emulation though is perfect!

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  • [–] 1 point 17 hours ago

    I love my DSi XL and it is actually pocketable and the dual IPS screen looks nice. I have a 3DS too but I use my DSi to play DS games, since it looks blurry on the 3DS.

    I like stylus heavy games like The World Ends with You, Elite Beat Agent, Under the Knife, so I'm going to need the stylus to at least match the quality of the apple pencil or spen and have a pointy end before I consider replacing the original hardware for an emulation device.

    Open source flash carts like the dspico are available too now, but not necessary with sd card all that is being needed to play on the DS after jailbreaking it.

    DS isn't too expensive with it being around the price of a new triple A title, but the 3DS has shot up in price. I haven't touched my switch in over a year but play with my ds or 3ds on a weekly basis.

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