this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2026
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Can somebody tell me personally if handheld consoles like this worth the buck for someone who mainly plays on PC? I have some portable consoles but they are too fucking big to move around, even the Nintendo Switch OLED doesn't fit in your pocket, but I remember that the Nintendo DS/3DS was a beast, should I buy it?
I can't speak to this model specifically, haven't tried it, but my impression is that if you are specifically looking to play DS/3DS games, original hardware is still the best way to go, especially since they're so easily moddable.
If you're looking to emulate other platforms though, there are quite a lot of great pocketable devices on the market. I bought a Miyoo Mini Plus three years ago and joked that I liked it so much I wish I'd bought a more expensive model with analog sticks.
The problem with original hardware (I collect it obsessively!) is that the age is starting to work against it. Screens yellow and condition gets worse. The cost of original units is skyrocketing too (esp the 'New' Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL line, the price on those is obscene!)
The benefits of save states, upscaling (upscaling something like Zelda on my AYN Thor by 5x is crazy), it is just hard to argue against. That said though, emulation of 3DS specifically isn't 100% there yet, it has a long way to go. DS emulation though is perfect!
This is a deceptively 'easy' one to answer.
I spent a few years exclusively covering the Steam Deck. It was my travel handheld until I got into retro handhelds (and then since then...reviewing them!). Carrying something like this around is a breeze. While it is bigger than the original RG DS, it is inherently portable (and protects its own screens by design, too!)
The question is what kind of systems you want to emulate? DS & 3DS? PS2/Game Cube and below? Switch?
I really, really love this DS Plus, it feels 'right' to me, it really is like if Nintendo took another swing at these. I'm testing some custom firmware for it now, called GammaOS (he just released it a day or so back, and has updated it thrice since then!), so you've got options. If you want to ask me anything about any retro handheld though, I'm on Discord with a username of perfecteddark if you need any advice!
I'm really interested especially because I really loved the Nintendo DS era, I'm fine emulating from DS backwards (some Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo would be nice too), does it fit in your pocket like your phone? I think that's basically my main goal, to be able to walk somewhere and start playing like the ol' DSi, because you can't do that with current mainstream portable consoles nowadays :(
You can check the size comparison with the DSi / DSi XL with this website here:
https://retrocatalog.com/compare/anbernic-rg-ds-plus/dsi-xl
But systems like Genesis and SNES are a breeze for this one. It is a bit bigger, so I suppose that depends on your pocket size! Jacket pocket? Yes! Jeans pocket? Probably not!
I love my DSi XL and it is actually pocketable and the dual IPS screen looks nice. I have a 3DS too but I use my DSi to play DS games, since it looks blurry on the 3DS.
I like stylus heavy games like The World Ends with You, Elite Beat Agent, Under the Knife, so I'm going to need the stylus to at least match the quality of the apple pencil or spen and have a pointy end before I consider replacing the original hardware for an emulation device.
Open source flash carts like the dspico are available too now, but not necessary with sd card all that is being needed to play on the DS after jailbreaking it.
DS isn't too expensive with it being around the price of a new triple A title, but the 3DS has shot up in price. I haven't touched my switch in over a year but play with my ds or 3ds on a weekly basis.