The original PlayStation Vita was a brilliant machine that never got the support it deserved. The Anbernic RG Vita wears that silhouette openly, and for anyone who mourned Sony’s handheld, the resemblance alone is enough to make you pick it up.
The design
This is the headline. The wide horizontal layout, the dual sticks, the screen-forward face — it evokes the Vita immediately. In the hand it feels like the alternate-timeline successor we never got.
Under the hood
Reports point to a continuation of the T618-class chipset platform from previous Anbernic generations, with the exterior doing most of the heavy lifting in terms of newness. That’s not a knock — that platform is capable — but don’t expect a generational leap in power just because the shell changed.
In use
The bigger horizontal form is comfortable for long sessions and well-suited to the systems where dual sticks matter. As an Android-class device it offers flexibility, with the usual setup overhead.
RG Vita vs R38S
Different leagues. The R38S is a cheap, simple, Linux pocket machine; the RG Vita is a larger, pricier, more powerful homage. Choose based on form factor and budget more than raw capability.
You’re partly paying for the feelings the shape evokes — and honestly, that’s a fair thing to pay for.
Verdict
A charming, capable handheld that knows exactly which nostalgia it’s selling. If the Vita’s shape makes your heart ache a little, the RG Vita will scratch an itch nothing else can.