Anbernic’s unique retro handheld console, the RG Rotate, will be available to order from May 11. The portable machine features a 1:1 swivel screen that reminds me of an old-school T-Mobile Sidekick.
The specs are decent, so this machine should be powerful enough to run the PS1, Nintendo 64, and maybe even some GameCube games, in addition to titles from older consoles. It has an octa-core Unisoc Tiger T618 processor, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage.
It runs Android 12 and also has a fairly large battery and a USB-C port for charging and data transfers. There is a gamepad, four traditional buttons and interchangeable shoulder buttons. The swivel screen ensures that it can handle games with different aspect ratios.
The price is where this thing shines, especially in today’s market. There are two versions of the RG Rotate. The black model features a plastic shell with a metal front and starts at just $88. The silver model features an all-metal body and starts at $108. Anbernic will save a few dollars as an early bird discount during the first few days of availability, bringing prices down to $83 and $100.
