The Anbernic RG 55G1 is a $150 device resembling the Switch Lite, designed specifically for retro gaming.

      Nintendo’s Switch Lite has inspired numerous handheld devices, but Anbernic’s newest model closely resembles it while incorporating enough of its own hardware to make the comparison intriguing.

      The Anbernic RG 55G1 will be available for purchase on August 31, starting at $150. The company promises a compact design, a 5.5-inch display, and Android 14 software geared primarily toward retro gaming and emulation. Anbernic announced the handheld and its specifications back in June, but has now confirmed its launch date and pricing.

      At first glance, the RG 55G1 appears strikingly similar to the Switch Lite. Its horizontal layout and built-in controls instantly evoke Nintendo’s design, although Anbernic is targeting a quite different demographic.

      A familiar aesthetic with significantly greater retro-gaming aspirations

      The RG 55G1 boasts a 5.5-inch 1,920 x 1,080 display, offering a higher resolution than the Switch Lite. It is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G1 Gen 2, marking its debut in Anbernic’s handheld lineup.

      The device features two symmetrical Hall-effect joysticks, which should help mitigate the common stick-drift issues found with traditional potentiometer-based controls. Anbernic claims the battery can last up to eight hours, although actual performance will vary based on the games being emulated.

      Running on Android 14, the RG 55G1 is tailored for retro-game emulation instead of natively playing modern console titles. This gives users considerably more adaptability than a standard dedicated console but also places the onus of configuring emulators and acquiring games on them.

      Storage and memory options include a 4GB/64GB setup as well as an 8GB/128GB variant. Customers can select from black, indigo, or retro gray finishes. The top version can reach $225 and comes with an additional 256GB microSD card.

      At $150, Anbernic hopes to capitalize on nostalgia over Nintendo

      Pricing is perhaps the most notable aspect of the RG 55G1. Its starting price of $150 makes it significantly less expensive than the Nintendo Switch Lite at its launch while providing retro fans with hardware specifically designed for emulation.

      Anbernic is offering a $10 launch discount for the first three days of sales. The company is not trying to replace Nintendo’s ecosystem but instead is effectively adopting a similar formula—comfortable controls, a portable screen, and a straightforward handheld shape—coupled with the versatility of Android.

      This may make the RG 55G1 attractive to gamers seeking an affordable option for older titles without purchasing another mainstream console. However, there is an apparent issue regarding the design, which is so similar to Nintendo’s Switch Lite that even commenters on reports have playfully speculated about potential legal action from Nintendo.

      Whether this will become a real concern is yet to be determined. For now, the RG 55G1 stands as yet another example of how popular the Switch-era handheld concept has become, and how aggressively smaller manufacturers are attempting to stake their claim in this market.