Anbernic RG Vita and RG Vita Pro Breathes New Life Into a Classic Sony Handheld

Sony’s PS Vita is still regarded by many as one of the best handheld gaming devices, thanks to its brilliant screen, comfy design, and extensive game catalog. Anbernic has already released two new handhelds that clearly take design inspirations from the original classic: the RG Vita and the RG Vita Pro.

Both of these devices appear to be Android-powered handhelds, with a primary focus on retro gaming and emulators. They’re designed to resemble the original PS Vita, with a 16:9 screen, robust shoulder buttons, and a sleek glass front. Even the corners bend gently in the palm of your hand, and the back features some elegant circular pads that do nothing.

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The control scheme is familiar, with dual analog sticks, a directional pad, face buttons in a Nintendo-style design, and real analog triggers rather than touch-sensitive surfaces. They have the regular RG Vita in black or retro grey, with a 5.46-inch IPS touchscreen and 720p resolution. A Unisoc T618 processor powers the device, which also has 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage that can be expanded via a microSD card slot. A 5,000mah battery allows for extended playtime, and connectivity options include Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, as well as a USB-C port on top and a 3.5mm socket on the bottom. The underlying OS is Android 12, which allows you to run emulation programs for a wide range of platforms, including Game Boy Advance, PSP, Nintendo DS, and even some PS2 or Wii games, depending on how well the game and settings are supported.

The RG Vita Pro is the higher-end model, although specifics are still scarce, as the company hasn’t yet released all of the hardware info yet. Everything indicates that we might expect enhancements like more RAM, a higher-resolution screen, or possibly a switch from an IPS to an OLED panel for improved contrast and colors. Perhaps they’ll even manage a 1080p screen and 4GB or more RAM, which should help speed up PS2 and GameCube emulators, as well as early 3DS models. The Pro appears to have a glossy glass front, which may add to its high-end vibe.

Anbernic has not announced the prices or when they will be available, but it appears that the regular model will be reasonably priced, similar to other mid-range emulation handhelds ($149 – $199) they have released. Because of all the extra features, the Pro will most likely cost more. As soon as they become available, you should be able to purchase them via Anbernic’s website as well as other shops.