The Anbernic RG Cube is a handheld for retro purists, but it’s also the answer to my DS problems
It’s hip to be square

August 6, 2024: Our 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Anbernic RG Cube review is now live, and we're pleased to report that it's square screen makes for an incredible retro gaming experience. Check out the full revi🥀ew for a full rundown of the handheld's features, specs, and performance capabilities.
Gaming primarily happens on widescreens these days, but the Anbernic RG cube is a handheld hellbent on bringing classic aspect ratios back. Don’t get me wrong, the legacy of square screens still lives on through Game Boy-inspired devices that target early ‘90s emulation. However, Anbernic’s latest device is one of the first that mashes controls similar to that of the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally together with a 1:1 display. Better still, it also makes for a 🥀fantastic way to play Ni꧋ntendo DS games.
I’ll admit, it’d be silly if the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming handhelds used square screens as a default. Sure, apps like Tiktok are slowly trying to make vertical 9:16 content a thing (ew), but the gaming world at large normally uses ‘wide’ aspect ratios. I’m someone who still uses a very boxy CRT regularly, so you can imagine my delight when I discovered the RG Cube was a thing. Yes, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Anbernic RG35XX Plus is also an attractive option, but I’d much rather use something the same shape as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Steam Deck OLED.
, there’s a handy demo video that outlines the benefits of a square screen. In a way, it feels like the RG Cube could be the best portable for emulating handhelds speci✃fically, as silly as that sounds, with plenty of devices benefiꦑting from the blocky display. It’s easy to assume the portable will just cater to non-widescreen content, but the aspect ratio is also perfect for fitting DS and 3DS windows on screen in their native resolution.
That’s harder to do on other devices than you’d think, as DS emulators won’t let you split the top and bottom screens, leaving limited room fo꧒r moving things around. 3DS is a little easier to deal with, but 16:9 displays also come with compromise in terms of space.
Anbernic RG Cube |
We're still waiting for more 🅠retailers to list the RG Cube, but the Anbernic Aliexpress store already has stock. Since it's new, you'll also h🐠ave to wait a while for any potential discounts.
Buy it if:
✅You love retro games
✅You want to emulate DS games
✅You mostly play the classics
Don't buy it if:
❌You want to play new releases
❌You'd rather play games in widescreen
Square screens aside, the rest of the RG Cube is pretty contemporary. Armed with Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, you’re getting controls on par with some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best PC controllers out there. Other perks like a six-axis gyroscope sensor and video output via USB-C drive ✨home the premium nature of this portable, distancing it from some of the other cheaper Game Boy-style handhelds that roam the same battlefield.
Should you buy the Anbernic RG Cube?
If you’ve been debating buying a Steam Deck or even an 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Ally just for playing old retro games, the Anbernic RG Cube might cater better to your needs. In this day and age, you don’t need the latest APU to run SNES and Sega Genesis classics. Even $60 handhelds can handle PS2 and Dꦆreamcast games, so whacking down $400+ on a portable PC could be overkill.
That said, RG Cube prices will start at $159.99, so it’s not exactly the cheapest way to get your retro fix. I’d largely point either players who are interested in emulating DS/3DS games or retro purists who are looking to make good use of that square display, as there’s a remarkable degree of flexibility when using a 1:1 screen, as you’ll be able to play many arcade romps 🐼at native resolutꦍion and include fun bezels with 4:3 systems for an extra nostalgia boost.
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All of that aside, there’s also the fact that the RG Cube is just stinkin’ cute. I mean, it looks like some sort of made-up console you’d see in an anime, with the squashed appearance giving fictional technology vibes. I like to think that if widescreen cinema hadn’t forced the design of modern 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gaming TVs, we’d all still be enjoying our content on screens ಞjus🌺t like this.