This is directly on the market to emulate original Nintendo DS games. You can tell by the matching 4x integer screens (that's the biggest giveaway - big screen smaller bottom? 3DS! Matching size? NDS!)

While some 3DS games are emulateable, the second thumbstick is quite useless on this one when it comes to Nintendo handhelds. I love that they took it out, and haven't missed it once!

I'm pretty sure this thing isn't even powerful enough to emulate systems with dual sticks so I doubt it'll be missed.

Interesting concern, I hadn't considered that! A lot of games expected you to use the stylus, can't imagine pressing tiny buttons without it

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?

• If you want to relive the 3DS and DS libraries, you'll need a far more expensive AYN Thor.
• Or even Retroid's newly launching Pocket Duo handhelds - which will be on the way to me to review shortly!
• But if you just want to enjoy literally thousands of Nintendo DS games, some 3DS, PlayStation, GB, GBC, GBA and more...then the RG DS Plus is for you!

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!

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.

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.

It works fine for me!

The original RG DS had a double ended stylus, with a cap over the flat circular...thing for the more detailed games which might requite it. But that's the nature of modern screens: capacitive VS resistive.

The new DS Plus' stylus is a thinner point on it, it is actually far better. Smaller and 'pointier' than others you might be used to, but naturally this is just the nature of the screen and the tech, it might be a huge dealbreaker for some, but no game I've played with it has left me wanting so far.

Nintendo DS I think have more stylus heavy games than the 3DS, and the DSi is still pretty reasonable in price. So I think getting a DSi is worth it. And seems to go around the price of a new triple A title and is easy to mod. There's open source flash carts like the DSpico available, and a DS Pico with IR and PicoWalker said to be coming out too so you don't have to get the official pokewalker and Pokemon cartridge. Those Pokemon cartridges are insane in value so it'll be nice when the DSPico IR version is available for those wanting to utilize pokewalker with it.

If you are just playing Pokemon than stylus responsiveness doesn't matter much, but if you are planning to play stylus heavy games then I think the actual DS is the route to go. DSi XL has the best screen among the DS line with it being dual IPS.

3DS can play 3DS and DS games, but those are like double to triple the price.

Someone should test the stylus with Pokémon Ranger.

those rubber tip styluses usually have a lot of friction