Anbernic's RG SP Ditches Thumbsticks for Pure GBA SP Nostalgia
Anbernic is doubling down on the Game Boy Advance SP — and this time, it’s subtracting rather than adding. The newly teased RG SP marks the company’s third clamshell homage, and its most striking feature is what’s missing: the analog sticks that cluttered its predecessors. The resulting slimmer profile prioritizes pocketability over modern control flexibility. For handheld purists who prioritize pocketability and authentic retro feel over modern control flexibility, this is the right call. The RG SP shaves off 25% of the top screen bezel and achieves a 10% thinner profile, pushing the design closer to the original Nintendo hardware that inspired it.
What Gets Better When Sticks Disappear
Removing thumbsticks isn’t cosmetic — it fundamentally changes how the RG SP carries. Analog sticks on clamshell designs create awkward bulges, making the device harder to slide into a jacket pocket or small bag. By going stickless, Anbernic eliminates those protrusions, allowing the hinge to close flat and the silhouette to match the smooth, rounded edges of the original GBA SP. The control layout now mirrors the classic d-pad and face buttons, with a central brightness toggle that feels immediately familiar. It’s a decision that prioritizes tactile satisfaction for 2D platformers and RPGs over the need to map dual analogs for PS1 or Dreamcast titles — though those systems remain playable via the H700 chipset.
Same Silicon, Slimmer Shell
Under the hood, the RG SP is a known quantity. Anbernic sticks with the quad-core H700 processor, the same chip powering the RG35XXSP and RG34XXSP, meaning performance targets are unchanged: smooth emulation up to PS1 and Dreamcast on a 3.4-inch 720x480 IPS screen. RAM is expected at 1GB, consistent with previous releases. What’s new is the physical refinement — the thinner top bezel and slimmer profile eliminate bulk without compromising screen size or button travel. Color options (metallic silver, pink, blue, black) mirror Nintendo’s original lineup. No price has been announced, but expectations place it near the $68 mark of the RG34XXSP, placing it in line with this week’s retro handheld roundup. Given ongoing component shortages in 2026, reusing a proven chipset keeps costs down and focus squarely on what matters: a faithful, portable homage that fits in your palm.