According to Android Authority, ANBERNIC’s upcoming RG DS handheld, announced earlier this month as a budget-friendly alternative to premium dual-screen devices, will feature two 4-inch IPS screens with 640×480 resolution at under $100. A leaked AliExpress listing revealed the device’s specifications before being pulled, showing that the screens don’t support perfect integer scaling for Nintendo DS games, instead using 2.5x scaling that could cause visual artifacts in pixel art titles. This compromise comes as the RG DS aims to compete with premium alternatives like the AYANEO Pocket DS and AYN Thor while maintaining its sub-$100 price point. The revelation has tempered community excitement about the affordable dual-screen device.
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The Integer Scaling Dilemma
The 2.5x scaling issue represents a fundamental challenge in retro gaming hardware design. Integer scaling—where each original pixel maps to an exact multiple of pixels on the display—is crucial for preserving the visual integrity of classic games. When developers created pixel art for the original Nintendo DS, they worked within precise pixel grids that assume clean scaling. The RG DS’s non-integer approach means pixels won’t align perfectly, potentially creating blurry edges, moiré patterns, or inconsistent character sprites. This is particularly problematic for games that rely on precise visual clarity, such as platformers or RPGs with detailed sprite work.
Engineering Trade-Offs in Budget Hardware
ANBERNIC’s challenge illustrates the difficult balance between cost and performance in the handheld game console market. To hit the sub-$100 price point while implementing dual-screen technology, manufacturers must make calculated compromises. The choice of 4-inch displays at 640×480 resolution suggests cost-saving in both panel quality and processing power, as higher-resolution screens would require more powerful—and expensive—graphics processing. This isn’t ANBERNIC’s first rodeo in budget retro gaming, but the dual-screen form factor presents unique engineering challenges that single-screen devices avoid entirely.
Competitive Landscape Implications
The RG DS enters a market where companies like AYANEO have established premium positioning with higher-priced, fully-featured alternatives. The scaling limitation effectively creates a two-tier market: premium devices that deliver authentic visual experiences, and budget options that make noticeable compromises. For casual gamers or those primarily interested in gameplay over visual perfection, the $100 price point might justify the scaling issues. However, for preservationists and enthusiasts who value authentic retro experiences, this compromise could be a deal-breaker, potentially limiting the RG DS’s appeal to a specific segment of the market.
The Future of Budget Retro Gaming
This situation highlights an ongoing tension in the retro gaming hardware space: how much compromise is acceptable for affordability? As display technology continues to advance and manufacturing costs decrease, we may see future iterations that solve these scaling issues while maintaining budget pricing. The community reaction to the RG DS’s specifications will be telling—if sales remain strong despite the scaling limitations, it could encourage more manufacturers to enter the budget dual-screen market. However, if visual quality proves to be a deciding factor for consumers, ANBERNIC and competitors may need to reconsider their engineering priorities for future models.
