So this retro handheld review might have been my favorite so far. I have such an obsession with design language (be it gaming or all the way to architecture), and seeing something as unique and different as this rotating touch screen on a retro handheld? It won me over without a second's hesitation

This handheld is a nicely squished cube with rounded corners, has a touch screen, obviously flips up to be a gaming handheld you can (comfortably) play PlayStation/PSP and even some few GameCube/PS2 games. Although you'd have to be crazy to buy this for GCN/PS2. They're just a happy bonus (really, this is NOT a PS2 machine)

Playing music or streaming music is a blast, as are audiobooks. I've had the most fun playing GBA and PS games on here, but if you're interested in my review, you can check it out here:

https://gardinerbryant.com/hands-on-with-the-anbernic-rg-rotate/

Or, you can just ask me what you'd like to know if you'd prefer to not! I love this damn thing. If I could wear it on a belt loop, I promise you I would be doing that like it is the olden days of phones!

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[–] 38 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

Yeah, Retro Game Corps has a great, in-depth video on this if anyone is interested. Good quality, good controls, good screen, good gimmick.

The dealbreaker for me is the legendarily awful combination of shitty, delayed bluetooth, a back-facing speaker, and no headphone jack. The most reasonable way to actually hear your games is by adding an awkward and easily losable dongle, which is not acceptable imo, especially because then you have no way to charge while you play.

Other than the unforgivable audio choices here, it looks like a really great and sleek little device.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Who releases a product with busted AF bluetooth these days?! Hard pass until that, at least, is corrected. 🥹

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    So Bluetooth headphones are a no-go?

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  • [–] 27 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    A GameBoy Advance SP is still worthy of being a daily carry. Rock solid hardware with a huge library of timeless games.

    That this thing is effectively the exact same dimensions using current tech makes it the first dedicated handheld I’ve considered getting since the DS Lite.

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  • [–] 17 points 2 months ago

    Very strange this doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack. That’s one of the main reasons I daily carry a handheld (psp) these days. It’s as valuable to me as a mp3 player as it is a gaming device.

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  • [–] [S] 12 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 child)

    "Or, you can just ask me what you’d like to know if you’d prefer to not! I love this damn thing. If I could wear it on a belt loop, I promise you I would be doing that like it is the olden days of phones!"

    ...just a heads-up, it is night here in Aus and I'm off to sleep. But, if there are any questions, I'll reply in the morning! Damn timezone differences -____-

    (bonus Gunsmith Cats picture, for the other 4 people alive who know what this is!)

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  • [–] 12 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

    I would love to have one as a Pico-8 playing device !

    A bummer that it doesn't have a jack, the speaker is on the back and there is a sharp thing over the shoulder button. Also, delayed bluetooth...

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    [–] 8 points 2 months ago (1 child)
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    [–] 7 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Oh, you can text on your sidekick?

    Cute. :: pulls out rotate and starts furiously going through games, finally succumbing to option paralysis, and boots up Stardew::

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  • [+] 6 points 2 months ago (3 children)
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    [–] 6 points 2 months ago* (1 child)

    Am I missing something, or did you not include a photo of it fully open? A gif of it opening/closing would also be neat to see the mechanism. What a weird device.

    Edit: Ope, found photos of it open in the linked thingy. I'd still love a gif/video, it looks kinda like the LG Wing to me, and that thing is so satisfying to fiddle with.

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  • [–] [S] 6 points 2 months ago

    You're 100% right! I mean to some time today, record a lil video of me sweeping it open then convert it to a GIF. I've just got a few things to get through first! Someone else reminded me I forgot to do that, which is...concerning since it is the BIG point on this handheld!

    For now, check Anbernic's own video on YT, it was a short one which shows the rotation well:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYdxn8lDhQc

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  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Is that slot on the back a speaker? Is that the only speaker?

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  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago

    I love the form factor. It looks like a perfect little device to carry in my handbag.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago

    Very evocative of the 2010 Motorola Flipout I still have in a drawer. Looks very fun.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago (3 children)

    The price is nice. I'd actually consider buying this since it is also just a straight up Android device so it can do more than just be an emulator.

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    [–] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

    I can't make the "sign up" drop down thing go away when on your site (linked in your post). There's no "x" to close it. It just covers the top of the page while I scroll.

    That's a bit aggressive, and made me not want to read your article. Love your passion though :)

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    It's such a cool and unique device but it's hard to be interested in it with all its downsides.

    • No headphone jack
    • Terrible back-firing speaker (almost guaranteed to be muffled by your hand)
    • 2000mAh battery only

    Maybe if they ever make a version 2 I might pick it up, but for now I'll probably stick with my RG35XX-H for a looooong time.

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)
    • The headphone jack is totally valid for some. I'd not used a 3.5mm plug-in pair for sooooo many years (actually I bought my first pair of IEMs a few weeks ago for my new music journey, so there's that!), so bluetooth is just my default go-to these days. But for some who prefer wired this will 100% be a let down, or a deciding factor

    • The back-firing speaker is fine when you hold and play it. Not once have I covered it with my hands or fingers! The only time it is a factor that drove me nuts was when I'd lay it down on a surface, face-up. That is when it gets muffled

    • The battery is perfectly fine! 5-6 hours with pushing it on higher systems, and maybe 6-7 with basic GB? And it charges SO quick. I can't see anyone going out during the day and spending more than 6 hours gaming. But maybe that is just my take on it

    The best part is that you know exactly what you love, and what works for you. Lots of people make fun of how often devices get released, but the best part of that is that there really is a device for everyone!

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    This looks neat. But I already have an Analogue Pocket which seems to do everything this does, and a little bit more, except for being the same size when closed.

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    I do love the Analogue Pocket's philosophy and design, but:

    Analogue Pocket which seems to do everything this does, and a little bit more

    The Rotate runs Android. Which is a bonus to some, and a caveat to others. But it is infinitely more powerful as a retro handheld than the AP! The 'Pocket can't run systems from the 32-bit era or later, while this can emulate a whole lot (with varying degrees of success)

    I just think wanted to address "...everything this does, and a little bit more..." for anyone coming across this in the future!

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago

    That perspective makes it look like a TV, lol

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