Upon taking the Anbernic RG28XX out of its cardboard prison, I couldn’t help but laugh at how small this handheld is. Don’t get me wrong, I expected something compact since it takes design queues from the Game Boy Micro, but seeing it in the flesh hits completely differently. Thankfully, its tiny footprint doesn’t come at a cost to either comfort or power, and the itty-bitty device actually provides an excellent emulation punch.
Coming in at around $54, the Anbernic RG28XX is easily one of the most affordable gaming handhelds I’ve tested this year. It sits proudly at the budget table alongside other favorites like the Super Pocket and its Anbernic RG35XX Plus sibling, offering up a pretty inexpensive way to emulate retro consoles and revisit classic capers. Plus, it’s a complete space saver for players looking to carry around a tiny time capsule, particularly if you’re into 16-bit adventures.
Can the Anbernic RG28XX keep up with your expensive gaming phone? Nah, probably not, but pitting two devices like that against each other defeats the point. We’re talking about a budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket, which can’t be said for most modern “portable” devices. As someone who frequently lugs the Steam Deck OLED around with a power bank for life support, this cheap device makes for a nice low-spec break away from the weight of modern tech.