I'm hyped about this Prime Day retro handheld deal, and not just because it looks like a Game Boy Advance SP
Jul. 17, 2024An easy, cheaper way to grab the Anbernic RG35XXSP.
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In case you weren’t aware, retro handhelds are kind of my thing. Naturally, that means I spend a chunk of Prime Day shopping for portable consoles, and I just stumbled across an Anbernic RG35XXSP discount I’m pretty pleased with. The Game Boy Advance SP homage is admittedly available at various retailers for different prices, but honestly? I reckon most of you will want to stick with Amazon this time around.
Okay, here’s thedeal -If you mosey over to Amazon right now, you can grab the Anbernic RG35XXSPfor $71.99(down from $89.99). You typically pay more at the retailer for this handheld than you will at Aliexpress, a symptom of the company’s seller fees and other related shenanigans. However, by taking advantage of thisPrime Day gaming deal, you’ll benefit from free delivery and an arguably better customer support system if your handheld ends up taking the long (wrong) route to your door.
For the sake of transparency, you can currently grab the Anbernic RG35XXSP for$57.99 at Alixpress, with the storefront basing its 42% discount on a $99.98 MSRP. That’s a cracking offer for a handheld of this calibre, but as someone who frequently picks up bits from the retailer, I can almost guarantee it’ll take a significant time to show up. Plus, you’ll have to pay $12 shipping, meaning it’s notas cheaponce in your cart.
Anbernic RG35XXSP |$89.99$71.99 at AmazonSave $18 -Now available for a chunk less at Amazon, this RG35XXSP means you’ll be able to still save compared to full price and purchase using your Prime account, meaning it should get to your door faster than it would with other retailers.
Buy it if:
✅ You miss the GBA SP✅ You need an emulation device✅ You play mostly retro games
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want to emulate newer systems❌ You have no love for flip screens
Price check:Aliexpress $70.61|Walmart $120.99
Ultimately, it’s down to you whether you fancy dealing with the slightly chaotic nature of Aliexpress or opting for the reliability of Amazon. Personally, I think it’s worth using your Prime account, as it’s a nice safety net to have in the instance that anything goes wrong with the handheld. That’s not to say you should anticipate any issues, but there’s always unlucky buyers no matter what the product is.
Should you buy the Anbernic RG35XXSP?
Do you miss the glory days flip phones and still having a Blockbuster Video in your town? If you, chances are you’re a big fan of theGame Boy AdvanceSP, and the brand newAnbernic RG35XXSPis designed to help you relive those hardware while being able to run all sorts of classic capers. Designed to use your own retro game backups, thisbest gaming handheldcontender can even handle Dreamcast adventures, so you won’t be left wanting for emulation performance.
Fluffy nostalgic selling points and emulation prowess aside, devices like the Anbernic RG35XXSP aren’t for everyone, as they’re not exactly plug and play. Unlike consoles with their own specific library, not every game is guaranteed to work on handhelds like this, as you’ll be at the mercy of emulation. Plus, you’ll also have to be savvy with how to back up your physical collection in the first place, which can require a bit of technical knowhow and some sort of PC.
I normally point anyone who can’t be bothered with all that faff towards theSuper Pocket- a $59 handheld that uses Evercade cartridges. Rather than using original releases, you can go out a pick up brand new physical compilations of games by specific publishers, which serve as both a nice collector shelf-filler and an instant way to play. Yes, you will have to spend additional money on said games, but if we’re being honest, I reckon most of you traded away your old-gen collections a while ago, so you’d still be forking out for stuff to play regardless.
Looking for more savings? Swing byPrime Day TV dealsandPrime Day monitor dealsfor display discounts. Alternatively, take a peek atPrime Day Asus ROG Ally dealsfor portable PC offers.
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I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
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