The Anbernic RG40XX V is the vertical, 4-inch member of the RG40XX family — the one designed for people who grew up holding a Game Boy and never quite got comfortable with horizontal handhelds. After a few weeks with one, here's where the $89.99 price tag is fully justified and where it falls short.
Price: $89.99 at LitNXT. Buy the Anbernic RG40XX V at LitNXT →
Quick verdict
If you want a vertical Game Boy-shaped handheld with a bigger 4-inch screen and enough horsepower for everything through PS1, the RG40XX V is the best $90 option in 2026. Skip it if you want PSP, Dreamcast, or GameCube emulation — for that, jump to the Anbernic RG406V instead.
Key features and design
The RG40XX V's selling point is restraint — Anbernic took the proven H700 chip from the cheaper RG35XX line, scaled the screen up to 4 inches, and stretched the chassis vertically. The result feels in hand like a thicker, longer Game Boy Pocket with modern button additions.
The bigger-screen-on-the-same-chip strategy pays off where it should: GBA, GBC, NES, SNES, and PS1 all look noticeably better with the extra screen real estate. The bezels are slim, the panel is laminated, and the IPS color reproduction is respectable for the price.
Specifications at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | Allwinner H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Mali G31 MP2 |
| RAM | 1GB LPDDR4 |
| Screen | 4.0-inch IPS, 640×480, full lamination |
| Storage | Dual MicroSD (OS + Games) |
| Battery | 3,200mAh, ~5h gameplay |
| OS | Stock Linux + GarlicOS support |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, HDMI out |
| Dimensions | Vertical, ~190g |
| Price | $89.99 |
Performance by system
- GB / GBC: Perfect. The 4-inch panel and vertical layout make Pokémon Crystal and Link's Awakening DX look better than they did on the original hardware.
- NES / SNES / Genesis: Effortless 60fps across the board.
- GBA: Flawless. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Mario & Luigi, Pokémon Emerald — all run at full speed.
- PS1: Plays the full library at full speed via DuckStation. Final Fantasy VII, Crash, Symphony of the Night — all clean.
- N64: Mixed. Mario 64 is fine; anything 3D-heavy stutters.
- PSP / Dreamcast / GameCube: Not recommended.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 4-inch laminated IPS is the biggest screen at this price tier
- Authentic vertical Game Boy feel, modern build quality
- Dual SD slots make firmware experimentation easy
- 5-hour battery life realistic
- GarlicOS support is mature
Cons:
- 640×480 resolution is fine but not sharp — RGB30's 720×720 is crisper for pixel art
- Single-firing speaker is mediocre
- D-pad slightly mushy on diagonals
- Not powerful enough for anything past PS1
How it compares
| Model | Form | Screen | Best for | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG40XX V (this device) | Vertical | 4" 640×480 | Game Boy nostalgia, PS1-era | $89.99 | LitNXT → |
| RG34XX | Horizontal (GBA shape) | 3.4" 720×480 | GBA, sharper screen | $59.99 | Anbernic → |
| RG35XX Plus | Vertical (smaller) | 3.5" 640×480 | Same era, smaller pocket | $89.99 | LitNXT → |
| Powkiddy RGB30 | Square | 4" 720×720 | Pixel-art purists, GB/GBC/SNES | $69.99 | LitNXT → |
| RG406V | Vertical Android | 4" OLED | PSP, Dreamcast, GameCube | $219.99 | LitNXT → |
Should you buy the Anbernic RG40XX V?
Yes if:
- You want a vertical 4-inch handheld for everything up to PS1
- $90 is the sweet spot price-wise
- You're fine with GarlicOS / community firmware
Skip it if:
- You want PSP/Dreamcast/GameCube — go to the RG406V
- You want a sharper square screen — the RGB30 is better for pixel art
The RG40XX V is the device I keep recommending to people who want "a Game Boy but bigger and modern." It's not flashy, but $90 buys a genuinely good handheld.
Buy the Anbernic RG40XX V at LitNXT → — $89.99, free shipping with code NY2026 for 12% off.
Browse more handhelds in our Anbernic device guide or compare every device on the devices page.
