If you’ve ever looked at your handheld console and thought, “You know what this needs? A sliding screen,” then Anbernic has heard your prayers. Enter the RG Slide—a retro-inspired Android handheld that fuses modern power with nostalgic flair, straight out of the PSP Go era.
But this isn’t just a gimmicky throwback. The RG Slide is seriously stacked, and it might just be one of the most intriguing handhelds of 2025—though it's not without a few quirks.
🧲 A Unique Design That Clicks
Let’s start with the obvious: the RG Slide features a sliding screen. Slide it upward, and you’re greeted with a full set of gaming controls, including dual analogue sticks, a D-pad, and classic ABXY buttons. It’s a clever design move that gives the device a clean profile when not in use—and makes it feel like something truly different in a sea of lookalike handhelds.
The slide mechanism feels solid, and it's more than just a gimmick. Whether you’re navigating Android apps or diving into emulation, it’s a satisfying feature that adds personality to the device.
⚙️ Hardware That Means Business
Under the hood, the RG Slide runs on a Unisoc T820 octa-core processor, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. That’s enough horsepower to handle everything from NES classics to PlayStation 2 and GameCube emulation with confidence.
With Android 13, users get access to a massive ecosystem of emulators, streaming services, and customization options. If you like to tweak and personalize your setup, this is your playground.
📺 A Display Designed for the Classics
The RG Slide’s 4.7-inch LTPS touchscreen is another standout. The 1280x960 resolution and classic 4:3 aspect ratio are a perfect fit for retro games, avoiding the stretching and borders you get on wider screens. With a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits of brightness, the display is both sharp and responsive—even in bright environments.
🕹️ Controls That Deliver
Controls are make-or-break for handhelds, and thankfully the RG Slide nails it. The D-pad is crisp, the analogue sticks are smooth and accurate, and the ABXY buttons feel great under your fingers. There's even a six-axis gyroscope, adding support for motion-sensitive games and emulator input tricks.
Overall, the ergonomics hold up well—but here's where the first trade-off comes in...
⚖️ The Weight of Power
At around 380 grams, the RG Slide is about the same weight as a Nintendo Switch Lite. While the curved shape and compact sliding design make it easy to hold, that weight does start to show during long sessions. It's portable—but not exactly pocket-friendly—and some users may find it a bit hefty compared to lighter retro handhelds.
🔋 Features Galore, But Not Flawless
The RG Slide brings a lot to the table, including:
- 5,000mAh battery – around 6 hours of game time
- USB-C with DisplayPort out – dock to a bigger screen
- Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi
- Expandable microSD storage (up to 2TB)
- Dual stereo speakers and active cooling system
And then there’s the AI-powered real-time translation, which is one of its most ambitious features. It works reasonably well and is a great bonus for fans of Japanese-only games—but it’s not perfect. Some translations can be clunky or miss context, especially with stylized or fast-moving text. That said, it’s a promising feature that’s likely to improve over time with updates.
🧠 Emulation Powerhouse
With this kind of hardware, the RG Slide handles retro emulation like a champ. You can expect solid performance on:
- PS2
- GameCube / Wii
- Dreamcast
- PSP
- Nintendo 64
- SNES, Genesis, and more
Combine that power with its pixel-perfect screen and physical controls, and it’s one of the most satisfying handhelds available for retro gaming in its class.
💬 Final Thoughts
The Anbernic RG Slide is a bold mix of nostalgia, innovation, and real gaming power. The sliding design is more than a gimmick—it’s functional, fun, and gives the device a unique identity. Performance is excellent, the screen is beautiful, and it offers a ton of features at a fair price.
That said, it’s not without its trade-offs: it’s a bit on the heavy side, and the AI translation, while cool, still feels like a work in progress.
The RG Slide is a compelling pick for retro gamers who want something stylish, capable, and just plain fun to use. If you can handle the extra weight and don’t mind a few rough edges, this might be the most exciting handheld Anbernic has released yet.