Retro gaming hardware specialist Anbernic has revealed the RG SP, an upcoming clamshell handheld designed to mirror the form factor and aesthetic of the iconic Game Boy Advance SP. Built with an overhauled chassis and a simplified control layout, the new device prioritizes authentic retro ergonomics over feature bloat.<\/p>\n
The announcement follows last year’s RG 34XXSP and the 2024 release of the RG 35XXSP. Unlike its immediate predecessor, which incorporated dual analog thumbsticks, the RG SP intentionally removes thumbsticks altogether. The decision stems from customer feedback favoring a decluttered, traditional control pad that closer mirrors early 2000s hardware released by Nintendo<\/a>.<\/p>\n Under the hood, the handheld is driven by an H700 processor paired with Anbernic’s custom Linux-based operating system, engineered specifically for lightweight emulation. Visually, the device centers around a 3.4-inch IPS panel outputting at a resolution of 720 x 480 pixels. This exact 3:2 aspect ratio delivers three-times integer scaling relative to the original Game Boy Advance hardware resolution of 240 x 160 pixels, preventing visual distortion or blurred pixels during gameplay.<\/p>\n Anbernic claims that roughly 90 percent of the RG SP’s physical components utilize new custom-molded parts. The updated shell features a top bezel that is 25 percent slimmer and a body profile reduced in thickness by 10 percent compared to earlier revisions. Dual hinges on the rear housing allow users to adjust the display across multiple viewing angles, while standard expandability remains via an integrated microSD card slot alongside a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.<\/p>\n When the device goes on sale, it will offer a selection of metallic colorways, including silver, black, pink, and teal\u2014drawing heavy inspiration from the original palette options introduced during the 16-bit and 32-bit handheld era. When Nintendo<\/a> launched the Game Boy Advance SP in 2003, its folding mechanism and built-in front lighting revolutionized portable hardware, setting a benchmark for pocketable gaming that modern manufacturers continue to emulate.<\/p>\n Anbernic has not yet disclosed official pricing or a precise retail date for the RG SP, though a release is expected later this year. Previous entries in the company’s SP series launched at budget-friendly price points of $65 and $67. Despite ongoing hardware supply constraints and fluctuating memory prices across the broader electronics sector, industry expectations lean toward the RG SP landing under the $100 mark.<\/p>\n