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The Anbernic RG DS Plus is a 4.3 x2 inch 4:3 Linux handheld that plays everything up to Dreamcast well. It came out in September 2026 at $95. Inside is the RockChip RK3568 with 1 GB of RAM.
Who it's for
Buy it if
- You want to play everything up to Dreamcast, plus some PSP.
- You want a 4.3 x2 inch screen and carry it in a bag or a jacket.
Skip it if
- You want PSP games: it scores 70 out of 100, so many games struggle.
- You want N64 and 3D PS1 games on two sticks: it has one.
Anbernic RG DS Plus videos
What it plays
Plays up to: Dreamcast. Chip: RockChip RK3568.
Scores out of 100. 100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues on this device. 80 or more plays well (green), 50 to 79 plays partly (yellow).
What the specs mean
4:3 screen
NES to PS2 era home consoles were 4:3, so they fill it. GBA and PSP games show bars above and below.
Based on: Display math: native screen shapes of each system
Same chip as 1 other handheld
The RockChip RK3568 also powers the Anbernic RG DS. The same chip means similar speed, though memory and cooling can differ.
Based on: Our handheld database (chip field)
Big battery for its class
Only 16 of 117 Linux and other handhelds in our database have a bigger battery than this 4,000 mAh (the middle one has 3,000 mAh).
Based on: Our handheld database: battery of 117 Linux and other handhelds
Shoulder buttons in a row
L1 and L2 sit side by side along the top edge instead of stacked. PS2 games that need L1 and L2 together mean sliding one finger between them.
Based on: Layout data (shoulder button layout)
Rating
How we score: what it plays 30%, how many players own and recommend it 20%, screen 15%, price compared with handhelds that play as much 10%, controls 10%, size and weight 10%, battery size for its chip 5%.
Good
- Plays everything up to Dreamcast well
- Hall effect sticks, so no stick drift
- Low price
Not so good
- Not built for PS2 games
- No video out
Screen fit
Screen: 4.3 x2 inch, IPS, 4:3, 1024 x 768.
Size
166.5 x 95.5 x 23.5 mm, 345 g. Too big for a jeans pocket
- Anbernic RG DS Plus (166.5 x 95.5 mm)
- iPhone 15 (71.6 x 147.6 mm)
True scale, front view. Jeans pocket = front no bigger than an iPhone 15 Pro Max in a case (160 x 82 mm).
Specs
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Chip | RockChip RK3568 |
| CPU | Cortex-A55 |
| Cores | 4 |
| Clock speed | 2.0 GHz |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Cooling | No |
| Screen | |
| Size | 4.3 x2" |
| Type | IPS |
| Resolution | 1024 x 768 |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| Pixel density | 297 ppi |
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Dual screen | Yes |
| Controls | |
| D-pad | Cross, Upper placement |
| Analog sticks | Yes |
| Stick layout | Single, bottom |
| Hall effect sticks | Yes |
| L3 / R3 | Yes |
| Shoulder buttons | Side By Side |
| Rumble | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes |
| Connectivity | |
| Storage | Dual External MicroSD |
| SD card | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (5) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (4.2) |
| USB-C | Yes |
| Video out | No |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Build | |
| Form factor | Clamshell |
| Dimensions | 166.5 x 95.5 x 23.5 mm |
| Weight | 345 g |
| Battery | 4000 mAh |
| Shell | Plastic |
| Speakers | Front |
| Software | |
| Operating system | Linux |
Questions
Can the Anbernic RG DS Plus play PS2 games?
Not well. PS2 scores 10 out of 100. It plays everything up to Dreamcast well.
Can it play GameCube games?
Partly. GameCube scores 20 out of 100.
Does it have a headphone jack?
Yes.
How big is the battery?
4,000 mAh. The middle Linux and other handheld in our database has 3,000 mAh.
Can it connect to a TV?
No, it has no video out.
How much does the Anbernic RG DS Plus cost?
It launched at about $95 in Sep 2026. Prices on the used market change, so check current listings.
Price and newer models
$95 at launch $60 to $120
The newest in its line in our database, out since Sep 2026.
Compared with
Similar handhelds
Specs and emulation scores from the retrocatalog.com handheld database. The score out of 10 is our own.