So this retro handheld review might have been my favorite so far. I have such an obsession with design language (be it gaming or all the way to architecture), and seeing something as unique and different as this rotating touch screen on a retro handheld? It won me over without a second’s hesitation
This handheld is a nicely squished cube with rounded corners, has a touch screen, obviously flips up to be a gaming handheld you can (comfortably) play PlayStation/PSP and even some few GameCube/PS2 games. Although you’d have to be crazy to buy this for GCN/PS2. They’re just a happy bonus (really, this is NOT a PS2 machine)
Playing music or streaming music is a blast, as are audiobooks. I’ve had the most fun playing GBA and PS games on here, but if you’re interested in my review, you can check it out here:
https://gardinerbryant.com/hands-on-with-the-anbernic-rg-rotate/
Or, you can just ask me what you’d like to know if you’d prefer to not! I love this damn thing. If I could wear it on a belt loop, I promise you I would be doing that like it is the olden days of phones!
Yeah, Retro Game Corps has a great, in-depth video on this if anyone is interested. Good quality, good controls, good screen, good gimmick.
The dealbreaker for me is the legendarily awful combination of shitty, delayed bluetooth, a back-facing speaker, and no headphone jack. The most reasonable way to actually hear your games is by adding an awkward and easily losable dongle, which is not acceptable imo, especially because then you have no way to charge while you play.
Other than the unforgivable audio choices here, it looks like a really great and sleek little device.
If the dongle you need is USB-C, I’ve got one for my phone that lets you charge at the same time, and it’s pretty low profile. Not ideal, but an option.
So Bluetooth headphones are a no-go?
You can use them, but there is a distracting delay in the audio.
Well that’s disappointing. Maybe I’ll wait for a rev A.
A GameBoy Advance SP is still worthy of being a daily carry. Rock solid hardware with a huge library of timeless games.
That this thing is effectively the exact same dimensions using current tech makes it the first dedicated handheld I’ve considered getting since the DS Lite.
still use mine almost daily. thing is built like a damn brick house too, rock solid. Metroid and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance are my go tos.
If you’re looking for something akin to the GBA-SP but modern, check out the Anbernic RG34XX-SP.
It looks almost the same as the GBA-SP, but with better everything and can emulate other systems. Same aspect ratio too which makes it perfect for GBA emulation, and it comes in fun colors.
Very strange this doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack. That’s one of the main reasons I daily carry a handheld (psp) these days. It’s as valuable to me as a mp3 player as it is a gaming device.
I would love to have one as a Pico-8 playing device !
A bummer that it doesn’t have a jack, the speaker is on the back and there is a sharp thing over the shoulder button. Also, delayed bluetooth…
I saw one reviewer was annoyed by a shoulder button feel. But I have tried my hardest and I haven’t been able to feel that sharp point/edge. I do have smaller hands, so that could be a factor as I play (where it might be a issue with larger hands)
I checked in with other reviewers, and I didn’t find anyone else who found that an annoying issue! But as with everything on retro handhelds, YMMV!
Thanks for the heads up !
“Or, you can just ask me what you’d like to know if you’d prefer to not! I love this damn thing. If I could wear it on a belt loop, I promise you I would be doing that like it is the olden days of phones!”
…just a heads-up, it is night here in Aus and I’m off to sleep. But, if there are any questions, I’ll reply in the morning! Damn timezone differences -____-
(bonus Gunsmith Cats picture, for the other 4 people alive who know what this is!)
Aww. It’s cute.
It is!!!
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The case is really nice, and there’s a screen protector to put on there, but I will be VERY interested in seeing everyone’s Rotate after 6 months or so!
I’m that weirdo who kinda loves wear and tear on metal devices though. It shows they’ve been well loved!
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Oh, you can text on your sidekick?
Cute. :: pulls out rotate and starts furiously going through games, finally succumbing to option paralysis, and boots up Stardew::
Am I missing something, or did you not include a photo of it fully open? A gif of it opening/closing would also be neat to see the mechanism. What a weird device.
Edit: Ope, found photos of it open in the linked thingy. I’d still love a gif/video, it looks kinda like the LG Wing to me, and that thing is so satisfying to fiddle with.
You’re 100% right! I mean to some time today, record a lil video of me sweeping it open then convert it to a GIF. I’ve just got a few things to get through first! Someone else reminded me I forgot to do that, which is…concerning since it is the BIG point on this handheld!
For now, check Anbernic’s own video on YT, it was a short one which shows the rotation well:
Is that slot on the back a speaker? Is that the only speaker?
Yes, and yes. Plus, the bluetooth has a really bad delay, and there’s no headphone jack.
Yikes! HARD pass.
Could Bluetooth issues be resolved via firmware or is it the radio itself?
Aw that’s unfortunate. It seems like a really fun device.
I love the form factor. It looks like a perfect little device to carry in my handbag.
Very evocative of the 2010 Motorola Flipout I still have in a drawer. Looks very fun.
The price is nice. I’d actually consider buying this since it is also just a straight up Android device so it can do more than just be an emulator.
Note that it only has 32GB of internal storage, which could be kinda limiting for general Android use.
Usually I am a little hesitant to recommend things to people, but not this one. It is really, really fun. I have so enjoyed using it, and the fact it has a nice presence on my desk for things like music, podcasts, old anime? As well as gaming? Truly enjoyable!
Does it support adoptable storage for its SD card?
This looks neat. But I already have an Analogue Pocket which seems to do everything this does, and a little bit more, except for being the same size when closed.
I do love the Analogue Pocket’s philosophy and design, but:
Analogue Pocket which seems to do everything this does, and a little bit more
The Rotate runs Android. Which is a bonus to some, and a caveat to others. But it is infinitely more powerful as a retro handheld than the AP! The 'Pocket can’t run systems from the 32-bit era or later, while this can emulate a whole lot (with varying degrees of success)
I just think wanted to address “…everything this does, and a little bit more…” for anyone coming across this in the future!
The Rotate runs Android. Which is a bonus to some, and a caveat to others.
Yeah, I’d rather have a Linux handheld, rather than an android one that will be abandoned as soon as it is sold, but then again, if it’s ARM then it needs a custom kernel which will be abandoned as well, so I’ll just avoid this whole kind of device completely.
It’s cool tho.
Is the market getting saturated? I have an Odroid Ultra and feel like there isn’t a real good upgrade out there.
I like to think of it as there’s a device for every single person’s needs!
Neat, but… i feel kind of weird asking this: What is the point of rotating a square display?
Underneath I’m assuming is the hand help controls. Like flipping open an GameBoy Advance SP or a DS/3DS. But instead of flipping it open like a clam shell the screen is rotated open
