2026-05-11

Anbernic's Rotating Display Device "RG Rotate" Released, Atari Acquires Emulator Development Company

The retro gaming scene is seeing a series of announcements for new devices with unique form factors. Anbernic has officially launched the "RG Rotate" with a rotating screen, and Evercade has opened pre-orders for clamshell-style handhelds modeled after classic machines. Additionally, a major move in the emulation industry has been confirmed with Atari's acquisition of a development studio.

Anbernic releases the "RG Rotate" with a 1:1 ratio rotating display on May 11

Anbernic is releasing the "RG Rotate," a new Android gaming device featuring a unique rotating display. Its most notable feature is a swing-out mechanism reminiscent of mobile phones from the past. When the 3.5-inch (720x720 resolution) 1:1 square IPS display is rotated, a D-pad and four face buttons are revealed underneath.

Basic specifications include a Unisoc Tiger T618 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 2000mAh battery. The device runs on Android 12. While the square display is ideal for the aspect ratios of systems like the Game Boy, users should note that widescreen games, such as those for the PSP, will have black bars at the top and bottom.

Prices are set at $88 for the black model with an ABS plastic back, and $108 for the silver model with a full CNC aluminum body. Early bird discounts are available for the first few days after launch, allowing purchases for $83 and $100, respectively. While some in the community and among reviewers have expressed concerns regarding hinge durability, the device is attracting significant attention as an ambitious project that challenges the increasingly stagnant form factors of recent years.

Classic machines revived as handhelds: "THEC64 Handheld" and "The Spectrum Handheld" announced

Blaze, the company behind Evercade, in partnership with Retro Games Ltd, has announced the "THEC64 Handheld" and "The Spectrum Handheld," clamshell-style portable gaming devices modeled after the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. Pre-orders are already open for an October 2026 release.

Both devices feature a 4.3-inch IPS display and come pre-installed with 25 officially licensed games each. To compensate for the limitations of a handheld without a keyboard, the control schemes have been optimized for simplicity, though external keyboards can be connected via a USB-A port. They also include a feature that allows users to add their own games using a MicroSD card.

Each device is priced at $129.99. As official hardware that allows for easy portable play of retro PC games, they are generating anticipation, particularly among fans of that era. In a retro gaming market where prices are soaring, having more options to legally enjoy classic titles at an affordable price is highly significant for users.

Atari acquires "Implicit Conversions," a development studio strong in PS1 emulation

In emulator-related news, it has been revealed that Atari has acquired "Implicit Conversions," an emulation development studio based in Delaware, USA. The studio possesses its own "Syrup Engine" and specializes in porting and emulation for the 32-bit generation, particularly the original PlayStation (PS1).

Atari has previously acquired "Digital Eclipse," which is strong in the 8-bit and 16-bit generations, and "Nightdive Studios," which specializes in remasters of early 3D titles. This acquisition of Implicit Conversions is seen as a strategic move to fill the "32-bit generation" gap between the two.

The studio is already working with Digital Eclipse on porting PS1 titles, and they are reportedly looking into emulation development for PS2 and PS3 (codenamed: Benedict) in the future. It is expected that the official preservation and revival of retro games will proceed with a more robust framework.