I’m an emulator obsessive. I love tiny handhelds that let me play endless Nintendo, Sega, and arcade games with reckless abandon, and I love to purchase said emulators over and over in hopes of finding one that scratches all of my itches. The $139 Anbernic RG Rotate may be just the thing.
The RG Rotate is the latest addition to Anbernic’s wide line-up of handheld emulation devices. Many of them are simple emulators without a full operating system like the $52 Anbernic RG35XX Pro, but the RG Rotate is essentially an Android 12 handheld full of emulator software and a few other goodies.
The Anbernic RG Rotate is built around an unusual swivel-screen design. Its 3.5-inch fully laminated IPS display has a square 720 by 720 resolution and can rotate to suit different games, apps, and viewing angles. When closed, the device can also work as a small desktop clock, giving it a second life beyond portable gaming.
Inside, the RG Rotate uses a Unisoc Tiger T618 processor with Mali-G52 graphics, 3GB of memory, and 32GB of built-in storage. It runs Android 12 and supports Android games along with more than 30 emulator formats. A microSD card slot allows storage expansion up to 2TB, while Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 support online play, streaming, wireless audio, and multiplayer features. Basically, it’s an Android phone without the phone.
The handheld also includes stereo speakers, a six-axis gyroscope, vibration, wireless screen projection, and swappable high-profile L2 and R2 shoulder buttons. Its 2,000mAh battery is rated for up to five hours of use. You can choose between the Aurora Silver version, which has a full aluminium-alloy body, and the lighter Polar Black model, which combines aluminium alloy with ABS plastic.
I’d say the RG Rotate is Anbernic’s most unique handheld to date. Its rotating display, square screen, metal construction, and built-in clock mode give it a distinct identity, while Android support makes it flexible enough for emulation, game streaming, media playback, and lighter mobile games.
Is the Anbernic RG Rotate a good emulator?
First, this device is decidedly unlike Anbernic’s cheaper models. First, there are no games included on the device, which I suspect is due to the Android 12 support. Google probably doesn’t want its Play Store-authorized handhelds full of pirated games.
This means you have to add games onto an SD card or simply download them using Chrome. Further, Android MTP may not work for your macOS device, so I’d recommend a file transfer app like WiFi File Transfer or the like.
The RG Rotate isn’t built for chasing high-end emulation, and that’s probably for the best. It runs on the familiar Unisoc T618 with 3GB of RAM, the same combination found in plenty of other retro handhelds. Yes, it’ll boot some GameCube and PlayStation 2 games, but the lack of analogue sticks makes them a bit frustrating. Instead, you should focus on games with simpler controls.
In fact, that’s where this little machine really shines. Game Boy and Game Boy Color games look incredible on the square display. The colors pop, the pixels are crisp, and the screen feels almost purpose-built for Nintendo’s original handhelds. Interestingly, this is where my Gen X sensibilities lie anyway, so having a pixel-perfect rendition of Contra is right up my alley.
The SNES, PSP, and PlayStation also work well, even though they’re aimed at wider screens. You give up a little screen space compared to a wider display, but the trade-off is worth it because everything remains sharp and balanced. Not that you’ll have to unpack .7z compressed ROMs before uploading them to the emulator.
One pleasant surprise is Android itself. The RG Rotate ships with Android 12 and includes the Play Store out of the box. Because of the rotating screen and compact design, it feels just as comfortable running casual Android games as it does emulators. Unlike dedicated emulators, this Android device is essentially a little phone without the cellular radio, making it an interesting alternative to a regular mobile.
How does the digital audio player work?
The RG Rotate supports headphone dongles like Apple’s own USB-C audio adapter. The resulting sound through earbuds is just fine, and the device can play back nearly any file type.
I’m not going to say that this is an audiophile device, but because of the size, shape, and touchscreen, you’re basically getting what amounts to a small DAP that plays games as well. It’s a fun add-on to an already interesting device.
Should you buy the RG Rotate?
If you’re looking for an ultra-lightweight, ultra-compact Android handheld with a touchscreen, the RG Rotate is an easy recommendation. There are plenty of larger devices on the market, the Retroid Pocket 5 immediately comes to mind, that offer more power and can emulate more demanding systems. They also cost considerably more and include features like dual analogue sticks, larger displays, and more ergonomic controls. If you’re serious about PlayStation 2, GameCube, or modern Android gaming, those extra features are worth paying for.
The RG Rotate takes a different approach. Instead of trying to be everything, it focuses on portability. It is small enough to slip into a pocket, sturdy enough to take with you every day, and versatile enough to serve several purposes. The rotating display is more than a novelty. It transforms the device from a retro handheld into a compact Android tablet, a digital audio player, an ebook reader, or even a small desktop clock when you’re not gaming.
For retro gaming, it hits a sweet spot. Game Boy, Game Boy Color, NES, SNES, PlayStation, and PSP all feel right at home on the square display, and Android support adds a layer of flexibility that most handhelds in this size simply don’t have.
The only real caveat is knowing what you’re buying. If you’re expecting one device that can comfortably play every console from the Atari through the PlayStation 2, you’ll probably come away disappointed. The controls and display simply aren’t designed for that. But if your goal is a beautifully made, highly portable handheld for classic games and everyday Android use, the RG Rotate is one of Anbernic’s most interesting and enjoyable devices to date.