Anbernic RG Rotate handheld game console with flip-out display coming soon for $88 and up

Handheld devices with square displays that flip upward to reveal a keypad or gamepad are having a moment… again. Last month a company called FROG Technologies introduced a phone that gives strong Motorola Flipout vibes, while handheld game console maker Anbernic has been sharing teasers for an upcoming model called the Anbernic RG Rotate. Now Anbernic has revealed more details about its new handheld, and despite the unusual design, it looks like it'll be a fairly cheap device, with prices starting at around $88.

The Anbernic RG Rotate is expected to go on sale May 11 with a basic model featuring a black plastic body with a metal front selling for $88 and a silver model with an all-metal design going for $108. Specs for both models are identical. Both have a 3.5 inch, 720 x 720 pixel IPS LCD display, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and a Unisoc T618 processor featuring two Arm Cortex-A75 CPU cores, six Cortex-A55 cores, and Mali-G52 graphics.

The handheld has a 2,000 mAh battery, stereo speakers, and a microSD card reader with support for cards up to 2TB, a USB Type-C port for charging, and support for WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. It ships with Android 12 pre-installed.

While the Anbernic RG Rotate isn't exactly a speed demon, Anbernic says it should be powerful enough for PS2 and Nintendo Wii emulation. The Unisoc T618 processor, while not flagship-level, provides enough processing power for these older console systems. The 720p resolution display, while not high by modern standards, is actually quite good for the pixel art and lower-resolution textures of games from these eras.

For developers targeting this device, the Android 12 foundation means standard Android development practices apply. The device supports the Google Play Store, making app distribution straightforward. However, the unusual control layout presents both challenges and opportunities for game developers.

The RG Rotate lacks the analog sticks used by many newer consoles. Instead the game controllers include a D-Pad, four action buttons, four flush-mounted folder buttons, and a 6-axis gyroscopic sensor and vibration motor. It also comes with a set of "high-profile" shoulder buttons that you can swap out if you prefer something a little more tactile.

This control scheme makes the device better suited for:

• 2D platformers and fighting games that work well with D-pads
• RPGs with menu-driven combat
• Puzzle games and strategy titles
• Retro-style games designed with digital controls in mind

For developers planning to release games on the RG Rotate, the lack of analog sticks means designing games that work well with digital controls is essential. The gyroscopic sensor does offer some additional input possibilities for motion-controlled games, though its utility may be limited without analog sticks for more complex motion controls.

The microSD card support up to 2TB is particularly noteworthy for a device in this price range. This gives users ample storage space for game ROMs, emulators, and other applications. For developers, this means larger game files or extensive downloadable content could be feasible, though the 3GB of RAM might be a limiting factor for more complex applications.

The device's 2000mAh battery is modest by current standards, but given the relatively low-power Unisoc processor and smaller display, it should provide reasonable battery life for gaming sessions. Developers should optimize their games for power efficiency to maximize the user experience on this hardware.

The Anbernic RG Rotate represents an interesting entry in the budget handheld gaming market. Its unique flip-out design sets it apart from competitors, and its affordable price point makes it accessible to retro gaming enthusiasts on a budget. For users primarily interested in classic games from PlayStation 2 and Wii eras, as well as retro-style indie games, the RG Rotate offers an attractive option.

The device will be available for purchase starting May 11, with the black plastic model priced at $88 and the silver all-metal model at $108. Given the specifications and price point, the RG Rotate appears positioned as a niche device rather than a general-purpose gaming handheld, but for its target audience, it could offer an appealing combination of retro aesthetics and functionality.

For developers interested in targeting this device, the Android 12 foundation provides a familiar development environment. The key considerations will be optimizing for the specific control scheme and leveraging the gyroscopic sensor where appropriate. The device's modest specifications mean that games should be optimized for performance rather than pushing graphical boundaries.