Anbernic RG SP Review: The Ultimate Modern GBA SP

Refining the Clamshell Formula

Anbernic has revisited the flip-top handheld once again, but with the RG SP, the manufacturer appears to have finally delivered the exact device it set out to build from the start. Previous attempts, such as the RG35XX SP with its 4:3 screen and chunkier chassis, followed by the RG34XX SP with its dual analog sticks, were capable handhelds but missed the sleek, uncluttered appeal of Nintendo's iconic flip-top console.

Rather than adding more features or upgrading the internal processor, the RG SP scales things back to focus on execution. By removing the analog sticks, slimming down the housing, reducing bezel size, and sticking strictly to a dedicated retro layout, Anbernic has created a handheld that feels far closer to a genuine modern Game Boy Advance SP.

Slimmer Build and Dedicated Display

The physical refinements are obvious as soon as you pick up the device. The RG SP weighs 168 g and measures 2.39 cm thick when closed. That makes it noticeably lighter and thinner than the 178 g RG34XX SP (2.5 cm) and the older 192 g RG35XX SP (2.7 cm).

The focal point of the device is its 3.4-inch IPS display, which features a 720x480 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio. Because the original Game Boy Advance renders natively at 240x160, this panel provides an exact 3x integer scaling factor, delivering crisp pixel graphics without distortion. Below the display, the D-pad and face buttons maintain the tactile feel of the RG34XX SP, benefiting immensely from the extra thumb space gained by ditching the analog sticks.

Specifications and Features

Internally, the RG SP relies on familiar hardware. It is driven by the trusty Allwinner H700 chip paired with 1 GB of RAM—the same underlying specification found in Anbernic's recent retro handhelds.

Ports and connectivity options are well represented, including dual micro SD card slots, USB-C for charging, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, mini HDMI video output, dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.2. Power is supplied by a 3,300 mAh battery rated for roughly six hours of playback, and an integrated Hall effect sensor in the hinge automatically triggers sleep mode when the lid is closed.

Software Experience

Out of the box, the stock firmware offers two choices when booting games: Game Rooms and RA Game. Game Rooms provides a simplified menu overlay via the menu button, designed for quick access without complex settings. However, certain titles suffer from reduced performance when launched through this interface.

Selecting RA Game opens RetroArch, offering complete control over emulator settings and significantly smoother frame rates. Given the rough edges of the default software, installing open-source community operating systems is recommended for those wanting a cleaner user interface.

Emulation Performance

As a Game Boy Advance machine, the RG SP is outstanding, filling the screen with sharp detail and fluid speed. Super Nintendo emulation is equally flawless, and the H700 chipset can even handle lighter 3D systems.

When testing PSP titles, the processor handles rendering quite well, but control limitations quickly surface. Out of the box, analog controls are not bound to the D-pad, rendering character movement non-functional without manual remapping. Ultimately, without physical thumbsticks, the device is explicitly intended for 2D, D-pad-driven game libraries.

Value and Verdict

Starting at just $65, the RG SP offers exceptional value. Anbernic offers bundles that include a pre-filled micro SD card for around $15 extra, but buyers are better off purchasing the base unit and supplying their own reliable brand-name card.

The RG SP does not try to emulate every system ever made. Instead, it offers an authentic, high-quality Game Boy Advance experience at roughly a third of the price of an original GBA SP on the second-hand market. For retro gaming fans wanting nostalgia combined with modern display clarity, this is Anbernic's finest clamshell handheld yet.