Anbernic RG DS Review: Flawed, Frustrating & Fun to Play. WHY?

👉If you’ve been eyeing the Anbernic RG DS as your next retro handheld, this deep dive will tell you everything you need to know before pulling the trigger. In this video, we break down the real DS performance, test a dozen games, compare it directly to Nintendo hardware, and talk honestly about the RK3568 chip, battery life, screen quality, hinge durability, and Drastic tweaks that unlock solid 2× DS upscaling. The RG DS is a beautiful replica with dual 4-inch IPS displays, touch input, and great ergonomics—but with a $99.99 MSRP and a few performance bottlenecks, it’s far from a guaranteed must-buy. We also break down the quirks Anbernic didn’t advertise: screen de-sync issues, the strange Drastic build that comes stock, loud shoulder buttons, and why 3DS emulation is basically a non-starter. But despite its flaws, the RG DS still delivers a genuinely fun DS experience with great image quality and impressive upscaling when configured correctly. If you love retro handhelds, the XX line, or DS gameplay in general, you’ll definitely want to see the full analysis. Is the RG DS worth the price today—or should you wait for a sale or a future “Plus” model? Watch to find out, and stick around for gameplay showcases, performance comparisons, and our final verdict. 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 Follow-up Game Showcase Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-xEgk_H4QM Stubbs' First Look: https://youtu.be/B-nbDi2M244 ✨Featured items: 🛍️Anbernic RG DS Direct: https://rh-go.link/Anbernic-RG-DS AliExpress: https://rh-go.link/Anbernic-RG-DS_AE 💵 Save money with our hand-picked gaming & handheld deals: https://handheld.deals 🔎Browse our curated weekly deals: https://rh-go.link/DILLS ✨Became a Member or Patron👇 🌐All Our Links: https://rh-go.link 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 🎵 Music by Jim Gray (https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com) and SoundStripe 🎞️Production & Editing by Gary. ⚠️ Disclaimer This description contains affiliate links. By purchasing something, RH may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This video is for education and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended for kids. All opinions are our own. #emulation #retrohandheld #retrogaming #AnbernicRGDS #RGDSReview #RetroHandhelds #Anbernic2025 #NintendoDSEmulation #RetroGaming2025 #HandheldEmulators #DrasticEmulator #BudgetHandhelds #retrogamingcommunity 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 ⌚Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 01:27 - Dual Screens and Specs 02:33 - Tweaks to Improve DS Performance 04:00 - Device Tour/Controls/Hinge 06:24 - Stylus and Case 07:06 - Comparisons 09:45 - Price 10:28 - Battery Issues 11:26 - DS Showcase (feat. screen de-sync) 20:34 - Higher-end Emulation (N64, Dreamcast, PSP) 21:27 - AnbernicAI Translation 22:35 - What Did We Learn? 25:23 - Thanks for watching!