Anbernic’s Game Boy Advance Arrives With The RG34XX
Anbernic’s new GBA-inspired device is sure to be a nostalgia hit.
As 2024 draws to a close and the retro handheld community marvels at Anbernic’s astounding 12 devices released over the last 12 months, the Chinese handheld manufacturer just dropped a bombshell proving that they aren’t done just yet.
The company has dropped a 4-minute announcement trailer for the RG34XX, a device inspired by Nintendo’s iconic Game Boy Advance — the 32-bit system first released back in 2001. The device features the beloved form factor with the GBA’s 3:2 aspect ratio, but of course with a modern IPS screen and the ability to emulate much more than flawless Game Boy Advance.
Take a look at the trailer, and then we’ll get into it:
The reveal trailer showcases the RG34XX playing games from the GBA on its 720×480 display — perfect for an exact 3x integer upscale. (The GBA’s 2.9-inch display is 240×160 pixels.) You can also see game play from PSP, PS1, DS, Dreamcast, DOS, NES and Mega Drive, CPS1 through CPS3, Saturn and Naomi, and more.
The Linux-based system comes with Bluetooth 4.2 plus 5G wi-fi and HDMI video out, supporting both wired and wireless multi-player (also seen in the video). It will also support video and audio playback, ebooks, and streaming higher-end systems from a PC with Moonlight. Anbernic also states that the RG34XX will support ported games.
This is the tenth entry in Anbernic’s hit “XX” line, which is oriented toward budget-friendly buyers — with launch prices typically in the range of $50 to 70. It’s the first with a 3.4-inch screen (that’s the “34” part of the product name), following several 3.5-inch devices, a 2.8-inch micro handheld in the RG28XX, and recently both horizontal and vertical devices with a larger 4.0-inch display.
While we don’t know what chip is powering the 34XX yet, it’s probably the Allwinner H700 — which powers the rest of the XX series of devices, and matches the emulation performance showcased here.
Anbernic says that the new device will be sold in indigo, black, transparent green, and transparent red models (all of which are visible in the trailer). Based on their track record we anticipate pre-orders to open within the next week or two.
