Sony seems to have moved on from the PlayStation Vita, but its influence clearly hasn’t gone anywhere.
Anbernic has just unveiled the new RG Vita and RG Vite Pro, which are two handheld gaming consoles that feature a design inspired by the PS Vita. From the wide layout to the button placement and overall aesthetic, these pay homage to Sony’s last true portable console.
But these aren’t a one-on-one copy, and rather serve as a modern take on the Vita idea.
Everything you need to know about the Vitas
The lineup consists of two variants, namely the RG Vita and RG Vita Pro.
The standard Vita is a more affordable option that featurse a 5.46-inch IPS display with 720p resolution, powered by a Unisoc T618 chipset, paired with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. On the other hand, the RG Vita Pro steps things with a slightly taller 1080p IPS display, a more capable Rockchip RK3576 processor, 4GB RAM, and the same expandable storage support via microSD.
Both models are powered by a 5,000mAh batteries that promise to offer several hours of gameplay.
Built for retro, but doesn’t stick to the past
Anbernic’s new RG Vita series is a throwback to a great age in game, but it isn’t just about nostalgia.
The consoles supports Android (and Linux on the Pro), which allows it to run Android games and the emulators for consoles like PS2, PSP, GameCube, and more. So it is a lot more versatile than its original inspiration. Anbernic is even adding modern touches like WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C output, and even AI-based features like real-time translate and in-game assistance tools.
That said, this isn’t aiming to be a true successor to the PS Vita. Performane is aimed more at emulation and casual Android gaming rather than running modern AAA titles.
Anbernic has yet to confirm the official pricing, but the devices are expected to land in the budget to mid-range handheld category.
