📰 New article from Retro Handhelds
Anbernic RG Vita Review: 2023 Called
https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg-vita-review/
A nostalgic throwback that feels more like a reminder than a breakthrough
If you’ve been chasing the handheld holy grail since 2023, Anbernic’s new RG Vita will stir some memories—just not in the way you’d hope. Housed in a solid‑feeling beige shell with a glass front that mimics the original Vita, it looks the part. The ergonomics are decent, and the 5.46‑inch 720p screen is big enough to be usable, but the display falls flat next to rivals like the Mangmi Air X or TrimUI Smart Pro S, suffering from oversharpening and occasional ghost touches.
Powered by a Unisoc T618 (Mali‑G52 MP2) and 3 GB of RAM, the Vita can breeze through PSP, Dreamcast and N64 titles, but it stumbles on anything beyond—GameCube, PS2 or Switch emulation feels more like a gimmick than a genuine option. Benchmarks are middling; you won’t see any real advantage over other sub‑$100 handsets.
Bottom line: If the RG Vita lands under $100 and you’re chasing a retro‑look with solid build quality, it’s an okay stopgap. For anyone who wants smoother screens, tighter shoulder buttons, or serious next‑gen emulation, stick with the Mangmi Air X, a used Retroid Pocket 3+, or wait for the RG Vita Pro. Nostalgia alone isn’t enough to justify the purchase.