I’m in an odd position in that I only really fell into reviewing handhelds. Early on when I’d writing gaming articles and interviews, some of the companies started to reach out to me, which in turn led to others doing so. I only mention this because I had the unique intro to it all by actually befriending some people at each company. And now I’ve ended up in the odd spot of knowing what each company is working on, and has planned for around the next 18 months or so.

I only say this to give some context as to why I can’t tell you who it is exactly, but I do know one company looked into the stereoscopic 3D screens, and replicating them. I don’t know how far along they are, whether it is viable, or whether they’ll continue, but I do know at least one company is interested and had started work that way.

As it stands though, there’s nothing at all like that on the market!

I’m really glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you :)

Here’s my interview with OpenSauce and PabloMK7, the two developers behind Azahar, and as far as I can establish, this is the first and only interview the pair have done together about the project.

We talk about their very different routes into programming and 3DS development, their time working with Citra, how Lime3DS and PabloMK7’s fork eventually came together as Azahar, and some of the difficult problems involved in emulating the 3DS hardware accurately. We also get into what makes the original 3DS systems so interesting to emulate, and the new wave of dual-screen Android handhelds like the AYN Thor and Retroid Pocket Duo/Duo Lite that are bringing fresh attention to 3DS emulation.

There’s also plenty here about open source, preservation, the homebrew scene, and where they see 3DS emulation going next. It was a really interesting conversation, especially getting both sides of Azahar’s story in one place.

Hope some here enjoy it!

Warning, it is a bit of a long read, probably best for those who like articles instead of short form!

You can check the size comparison with the DSi / DSi XL with this website here:

https://retrocatalog.com/compare/anbernic-rg-ds-plus/dsi-xl

But systems like Genesis and SNES are a breeze for this one. It is a bit bigger, so I suppose that depends on your pocket size! Jacket pocket? Yes! Jeans pocket? Probably not!

This isn’t build for the 3DS. It is marketing specifically as a DS handheld, and with good reason. The screens matching in size give it away (both the same size = DS! Large top, small bottom = 3DS!). While it runs some, they’re not ideal on here.

You’d be better looking at AYN’s Thor or Retroid’s Duo (coming up soon)

You’re super welcome! If you’ve ever any specific concerns or questions when it comes to handhelds, I’m always here!

I can test it for you! Let me get back to you on that (just making a coffee right now!)

They had it already on the pre-loaded ROM list with the micro SD card, so I’ll take a pic or two (if that translates well), and let you know.

Quick Edit:

Works perfectly. All the bullets coming from the bottom rise through both screens on the proper angles, there’s no slowdown that I can see. It matches perfectly. This really isn’t something I can photograph since it all moves so quick, but I’ll try my best and update this again with some pictures. That said, not one issue. Perfection!

I can’t wait to hear what you think!

I’m not entirely sure if it is the exactly same gap size, but the screens do match with the action. The best example is Sonic (Rush, I think it is called?). The action matches sync on both screens, there’s no Hz misalignment as we saw on the RG DS back last year before release (and the patch which fixed it!)

They’re super different handhelds, despite being ostensibly the same thing!

I have two of the Thors from AYN. One is the Thor Pro they sent me back before release to review, the other is the low-end entry model, the Thor Lite. And to me they perfectly nail the 3DS requirements. Obviously you can run DS games to your heart’s content as well, even the Lite model has more than enough power to run them.

The DS Plus has the advantage of two screens matching size (the original DS had the same size top and bottom screen), and the resolution is exactly 4x that original size. So (this isn’t upscaling), what you get is 4x ‘integer scaling’. It will present the pixels perfectly!

The Thor Pro will run anything from Switch to the WiiU, PS3, PC game emulation, 3DS upscaled like you wouldn’t believe. But it is designed to be wonderful at everything, and has a price to match that. The DS Plus is super affordable and perfect with DS games. The included stylus you store in the body is the icing on the cake to me!

Power? Upscaling? Emulating any and all systems? AYN’s Thor. DS? Older low performance systems like PSX, GBA, SNES and so on? DS Plus.

Super understandable!

At least it occupies the lower end of the retro handheld price bracket. Some of the handhelds I’ve reviewed have been worth a stunning amount, I just love how the lower end with a niche laser focused specific purpose like this one can be a more approachable price. You could wait for the 11/11 sales coming up soonish on Aliexpress, they’re famously pretty good for discounted prices :)

I’ve just published my time with the Anbernic RG DS Plus, the bulk of this is the usual review things, but of some note was that I got to chat directly with Anbernic about the device and their take on it: why they revisited the original RG DS, the new NNDDSS emulator and some of the design decisions behind the Plus.

The RG DS Plus itself is Anbernic’s second iteration of making a NDS-focused retro handheld, a modern take on being able to emulate all of the original DS games. I love this one so much.

I also spoke with the devs behind Cocoon, who are working on bringing Cocoon (a super 3DS-ish front-end/launcher for dual screen handhelds) to the RG DS Plus very soon. Just a bit of a chance to look a little beyond the hardware itself and at what this could mean for dual-screen Linux handhelds going forward, Cocoon for the DS Plus isn’t far off now (they’re moving from being Android-only to both Android and Linux!)

If you’re interested in the RG DS Plus, DS emulation or where these weird little dual-screen handhelds are heading, you might like this one!___

Really interesting that you’ve got issues! I’ve got…far more than I care to admit (since I review them though, that’s a handy excuse!) and I haven’t had any issues with the batteries or any system failures. I’m sorry to hear you do!

It works fine for me!

The original RG DS had a double ended stylus, with a cap over the flat circular…thing for the more detailed games which might requite it. But that’s the nature of modern screens: capacitive VS resistive.

The new DS Plus’ stylus is a thinner point on it, it is actually far better. Smaller and ‘pointier’ than others you might be used to, but naturally this is just the nature of the screen and the tech, it might be a huge dealbreaker for some, but no game I’ve played with it has left me wanting so far.

The problem with original hardware (I collect it obsessively!) is that the age is starting to work against it. Screens yellow and condition gets worse. The cost of original units is skyrocketing too (esp the ‘New’ Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL line, the price on those is obscene!)

The benefits of save states, upscaling (upscaling something like Zelda on my AYN Thor by 5x is crazy), it is just hard to argue against. That said though, emulation of 3DS specifically isn’t 100% there yet, it has a long way to go. DS emulation though is perfect!

This is a deceptively ‘easy’ one to answer.

I spent a few years exclusively covering the Steam Deck. It was my travel handheld until I got into retro handhelds (and then since then…reviewing them!). Carrying something like this around is a breeze. While it is bigger than the original RG DS, it is inherently portable (and protects its own screens by design, too!)

The question is what kind of systems you want to emulate? DS & 3DS? PS2/Game Cube and below? Switch?

• If you want to relive the 3DS and DS libraries, you’ll need a far more expensive AYN Thor.
• Or even Retroid’s newly launching Pocket Duo handhelds - which will be on the way to me to review shortly!
• But if you just want to enjoy literally thousands of Nintendo DS games, some 3DS, PlayStation, GB, GBC, GBA and more…then the RG DS Plus is for you!

I really, really love this DS Plus, it feels ‘right’ to me, it really is like if Nintendo took another swing at these. I’m testing some custom firmware for it now, called GammaOS (he just released it a day or so back, and has updated it thrice since then!), so you’ve got options. If you want to ask me anything about any retro handheld though, I’m on Discord with a username of perfecteddark if you need any advice!

This is directly on the market to emulate original Nintendo DS games. You can tell by the matching 4x integer screens (that’s the biggest giveaway - big screen smaller bottom? 3DS! Matching size? NDS!)

While some 3DS games are emulateable, the second thumbstick is quite useless on this one when it comes to Nintendo handhelds. I love that they took it out, and haven’t missed it once!

You’re so welcome!

You can even play it in your browser if you’d like!

Enjoy! Just wait until you hear that iconic theme music in the menu…reimagined :P

So nice to see you enjoying the Brick Hammer, too. Such a classy handheld :)