Handheld Gaming

ANBERNIC RG DS Plus Price Set at $94.99, Launching September 15

The dual-screen handheld will debut in Coral Pink, Matte Black, and Metallic Blue, with an early pre-order price of $84.99.

ANBERNIC RG DS Plus Price Set at $94.99, Launching September 15

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ANBERNIC has confirmed the price and release date for its upcoming RG DS Plus, bringing a notably accessible price point to the growing field of dual-screen gaming handhelds. The device will carry a standard retail price of $94.99 and is scheduled to officially go on sale on September 15 at 03:00 AM PDT.

For early buyers, the initial pre-order period will offer an additional discount. Customers who place an order during the first few days of availability through ANBERNIC's official website will be able to purchase the RG DS Plus for $84.99. That puts the launch promotion below $85, while the normal price remains just under the $100 mark.

The announcement provides the clearest picture yet of where the RG DS Plus sits in ANBERNIC's portable hardware range. Its dual-screen format naturally makes it an unusual entry compared with the company's many conventional horizontal and vertical handhelds, but the confirmed pricing suggests the company is aiming for a broad audience rather than treating the device as a costly enthusiast-only model.

Anbernic RG DS Plus release time around the world

The RG DS Plus is set to go on sale simultaneously across regions on September 15, with the local date and time varying by location. ANBERNIC has listed the following launch times:

For useful background on this topic, read Nintendo Plans UK Restock for Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 After Reseller Rush.

  • Los Angeles: 03:00 AM PDT
  • Mexico City: 04:00 AM CST
  • New York: 06:00 AM EDT
  • São Paulo: 07:00 AM BRT
  • London: 11:00 AM BST
  • Paris: 12:00 PM CEST
  • Berlin: 12:00 PM CEST
  • Johannesburg: 12:00 PM SAST
  • Dubai: 02:00 PM GST
  • Mumbai: 03:30 PM IST
  • Singapore: 06:00 PM SGT
  • Tokyo: 07:00 PM JST

Anyone interested in the $84.99 introductory offer will likely want to be ready close to the listed launch time. The promotional price is described as being available only for the first few days of pre-orders, rather than as a permanent reduction. No further details have been given on precisely how long that discount window will last.

Three color options at the same price

ANBERNIC will offer the RG DS Plus in three finishes: Coral Pink, Matte Black, and Metallic Blue. Each colorway is priced identically, so buyers will not need to pay extra for a particular finish.

The color selection gives the handheld a mixture of understated and more expressive choices. Matte Black is the most traditional option of the three, while Coral Pink offers a brighter alternative. Metallic Blue rounds out the lineup with a more reflective-looking color option. Beyond the announced names and shared pricing, no distinction between the models has been indicated.

Buyers will also be able to select either China or USA as the shipping origin for their device. For customers in the United States, choosing the domestic shipping option may help shorten delivery times, although exact fulfillment schedules, stock allocations, and shipping costs have not been detailed.

A budget-minded dual-screen proposition

The most important part of this announcement is arguably not the date, but the number attached to it. Dual-screen hardware is inherently more complicated than a typical single-display handheld: it has to accommodate two panels, a hinge or equivalent folding design, and software that can make practical use of that display arrangement. A $94.99 MSRP places the RG DS Plus at a level that may appeal to players who have been curious about the form factor but reluctant to make a major purchase.

That does not automatically tell buyers everything they need to know. Price alone cannot answer questions about display quality, controls, battery performance, operating software, build quality, ergonomics, emulation behavior, or long-term support. Those factors will determine how compelling the RG DS Plus is once it reaches customers. Still, the sub-$100 positioning gives ANBERNIC a straightforward message: this is intended to be a comparatively low-cost path into a two-screen handheld setup.

The category has become increasingly active. Several companies have been showing interest in handhelds with two displays, a design direction that evokes systems and games built around split-screen interfaces, touchscreen maps, inventory panels, and separate gameplay views. The renewed attention is significant because modern handheld gaming has largely centered on devices with one large screen, whether they are pocket-sized retro machines or considerably more powerful PC-oriented portables.

A dual-screen layout changes the physical experience. It can potentially make games designed with two displays feel more natural than they would on a single panel, where players often need to swap screens, shrink one view, or rely on alternate layouts. At the same time, the extra screen creates new usability questions. Screen proportions, hinge angle, brightness, touch input if included, control placement, and software configuration all matter greatly. ANBERNIC has not used this pricing announcement to fully answer those hardware and software questions.

What has and has not been confirmed

At present, the confirmed RG DS Plus details are focused on purchase information. The handheld has a retail price of $94.99, an early pre-order price of $84.99, a September 15 on-sale date, three color options, and a choice of Chinese or US shipping origins. Those are useful details for anyone considering an order, particularly because launch promotions for portable gaming hardware can be brief.

However, prospective buyers should keep a close eye on the full specification list and hands-on testing before drawing conclusions about performance or compatibility. The price announcement does not establish the device's chipset, memory configuration, display resolution, storage, battery capacity, operating system, connectivity options, included accessories, or supported game libraries. It also does not confirm delivery timing once an order has been placed.

That distinction is particularly important in the retro handheld scene, where a familiar exterior design does not always lead to identical real-world results. Two devices can look broadly similar on a product page while differing substantially in buttons, screen tuning, firmware maturity, sleep behavior, heat management, and ease of setup. The RG DS Plus may prove attractive on value alone, but its final standing will depend on how well its complete package works in daily use.

Why the launch price could matter

ANBERNIC has built a substantial presence in affordable portable gaming hardware, with products ranging from compact retro-focused devices to larger handhelds. The RG DS Plus stands out because its two-screen concept could address a specific area that has not been served as consistently by the usual single-screen designs.

For players who enjoy older games and systems that benefit from having two displays visible at once, the format is easy to understand. Rather than treating the second screen as an afterthought, a purpose-built clamshell-style device can make it central to the experience. That potential is why dual-screen handhelds are attracting renewed interest, even as manufacturers continue to release more conventional models.

The $84.99 launch offer may be especially relevant for buyers who prefer to experiment without paying premium-device pricing. A lower entry cost does not remove the need for research, but it could make the RG DS Plus more approachable than alternatives that position their dual-screen designs at higher prices. It may also encourage greater competition in a segment that is still developing.

There is also a practical side to ANBERNIC's decision to offer US shipping alongside China-based fulfillment. Shipping origin can be an important consideration for handheld buyers, particularly when they are weighing delivery speed and the convenience of ordering directly at launch. The company has not provided detailed delivery estimates in this announcement, so customers should check the available options at checkout.

What to watch for after September 15

With the launch date now established, attention will turn toward full technical information and independent hands-on impressions. The key question is whether the RG DS Plus can pair its aggressive price with a polished enough experience to make its dual-screen format more than a novelty.

Buyers will want to learn how the device feels in longer sessions, how effectively its software handles two-screen content, and whether the design offers the quality expected from an ANBERNIC handheld. Details such as display visibility, hinge durability, control comfort, performance consistency, and setup simplicity will likely shape the conversation far more than the color choices, even though Coral Pink, Matte Black, and Metallic Blue give the device some welcome personality at launch.

For now, the essentials are clear. The ANBERNIC RG DS Plus arrives September 15, costs $94.99 at standard retail, and will be available for $84.99 during its limited early pre-order promotion. With dual-screen handhelds becoming a more visible part of the portable gaming market, ANBERNIC's budget-conscious approach could make the RG DS Plus one of the more closely watched releases in the category.

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