Anbernic RG ARC-S
Reference Price
€67.17
$78 USD
Best Price Now
—
Currently unavailable
Historical Lowest
·
Historical Lowest
—
No history yet
Anbernic RG ARC-S is a horizontal retro gaming handheld launched in 2023. Powered by RK3566 (4-core, 1.8 GHz), 1GB LPDDR4 RAM and Mali-G52 2EE GPU. Features a 4" IPS LCD display (640 x 480, 4:3). 3500 mAh battery and WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2. Runs Linux.
Color
Preloaded Content Notice
This device may ship with preloaded ROMs or sample game files. Under U.S. copyright law (DMCA Section 1201 and 17 U.S.C. § 117), creating or distributing ROMs of copyrighted games without authorization is generally prohibited. Personal backup copies of games you legally own may fall under fair use exceptions — consult an attorney for specifics.
No active listings
We haven't tracked any in-stock prices for this console yet. Check back soon or browse similar consoles.
Similar Consoles
Based on category & score
Anbernic RG ARC-S is a horizontal retro gaming handheld launched in 2023. Powered by RK3566 (4-core, 1.8 GHz), 1GB LPDDR4 RAM and Mali-G52 2EE GPU. Features a 4" IPS LCD display (640 x 480, 4:3). 3500 mAh battery and WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2. Runs Linux.
Under the hood sits the Rockchip RK3566, a quad-core Cortex-A55 chip clocked at 1.8 GHz, paired with a Mali-G52 2EE GPU at 850 MHz and 1 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. This combination handles the classic library with ease, from NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive to Neo Geo, Capcom Play System 1 and 2, MAME and PlayStation. Nintendo 64, PSP and Dreamcast are mostly playable, though not every title runs at full speed, and Sega Saturn is too demanding for this hardware.
The 4-inch IPS display runs at 640 x 480 with a native 4:3 aspect ratio, around 200 ppi and a 60 Hz refresh rate. It is protected by OCA-laminated tempered glass, and the 4:3 format lets retro games fill the screen without stretching or distortion.
Controls are tuned for precision in fighting games, platformers and shoot 'em ups. The disc D-pad sits in the upper position, joined by six face buttons, vertically oriented L1, R1, L2 and R2 shoulder buttons, rumble, dedicated volume buttons plus Function and Reset keys. With no analog sticks, 3D titles built around stick input are less suited to the device. It measures 191 x 80 x 22 mm and weighs 240 g in a plastic shell.
A 3500 mAh battery delivers up to 6–8 hours of play depending on the emulated platform and settings. There are two top-facing USB-C ports, a Mini HDMI video output, a bottom-facing 3.5mm headphone jack and dual front-facing stereo speakers. Wireless connectivity covers WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2, and dual microSD slots keep the OS and game library flexible.
The console runs Linux and modding is permitted, so alternative firmware can be installed via microSD, though JELOS is not supported on this model.
Ideal for: retro enthusiasts who love 2D, arcade and Sega-era classics, players who want a Genesis-style six-button layout and a true 4:3 screen, and anyone looking for a budget-friendly handheld that can also connect to a TV.
- Manufacturer
- Rockchip
- SoC
- Rockchip RK3566
- Model
- RK3566
- Architecture
- Cortex-A55
- Cores
- 4
- Threads
- 4
- Frequency
- 1.8 GHz
- Instruction Set
- ARM
- Chipset
- Mali-G52 2EE
- GPU Cores
- 2
- GPU Frequency
- 850 MHz
- Capacity
- 1 GB
- Technology
- LPDDR4
- Size
- 4.0
- Technology
- IPS
- Resolution
- 640 x 480
- Quality
- SD
- Refresh Rate
- 60 Hz
- Pixel Density (PPI)
- 200.00
- Aspect Ratio
- 4:3
- Lens
- Tempered Glass (OCA Laminated)
- Capacity
- 3500 mAh
- Analog Sticks
- None
- D-Pad
- Disc
- D-Pad Placement
- Upper
- Shoulder Buttons
- L1, R1, L2, R2
- Shoulder Orientation
- Vertical
- Extra Buttons
- Power, Function, Reset, Volume +-
- Additional Features
- Rumble
- Speaker Type
- Dual Stereo
- Speaker Position
- Front facing
- Wi-Fi
- WiFi 5
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 4.2
- Charge Port
- USB-C x2
- Charge Port Placement
- Top facing
- Video Output
- Mini HDMI
- Video Output Placement
- Top facing
- Audio Output
- 3.5mm Headphone
- Audio Output Placement
- Bottom facing
- Card Support
- Dual microSD
- Operating System
- Linux
- Dimensions
- 191 mm x 80 mm x 22 mm
- Weight
- 240 g
- Body Material
- Plastic
Modding officially supported
The manufacturer officially permits or encourages modding (custom firmware, OS replacement, hardware modifications). Warranty remains valid under normal use.
Amstrad · 1 platform
Arcade · 4 platforms
Atari · 6 platforms
Bandai · 2 platforms
Coleco · 1 platform
Commodore · 2 platforms
Epoch · 1 platform
Fairchild · 1 platform
GCE · 1 platform
Lexaloffle · 1 platform
Magnavox · 1 platform
Mattel · 1 platform
Microsoft · 2 platforms
Microsoft/ASCII · 1 platform
NEC · 4 platforms
Nintendo · 13 platforms
Other · 6 platforms
SNK · 3 platforms
Sega · 9 platforms
Sharp · 1 platform
Sinclair · 2 platforms
Sony · 3 platforms
Watara · 1 platform
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 6 buttons
- fairly ergonomical
Cons
- no JELOS support
- too weak for Saturn emulation
No compatible accessories found
Check back later — we're adding new accessories regularly.
Videos · 5
The Phawx
youtube
Retro Game Corps
youtube
ETA Prime
youtube
Retro Handhelds
youtube
Wicked Gamer & Collector
youtube
/
Compliance & Safety
Anbernic RG ARC-S — 7 marks declared by manufacturer
Regulatory
· 1-
CE Marking
EUConformité Européenne — certifies that the product meets essential EU requirements for safety, health and environmental protection. The mark indicates the manufacturer has assessed the product and confirmed compliance with applicable European legislation (EMC, RoHS, RED directives, etc.). Mandatory for all electronic products sold in the European Economic Area since 1985.
Official source
Environmental
· 2-
RoHS
GlobalRestriction of Hazardous Substances — EU directive limiting 10 hazardous substances in electronics (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, phthalates, etc.). Limit: 0.1% per substance (0.01% for cadmium). RoHS compliance is part of the CE declaration and mandatory for all electronics sold in the EU.
Official source -
WEEE
EUWaste Electrical and Electronic Equipment — the crossed-out wheeled bin pictogram indicates the obligation to separate electronic waste from household trash. Manufacturers must register with a national collection scheme and cover recycling costs. Consumers can return used devices free of charge at stores or collection centers.
Official source
Safety
· 2-
Not for children under 3
EUSafety warning per Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC — product not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts presenting choking hazard. Applicable to consoles with small detachable accessories (joycons, batteries, short cables). Manufacturer sets the age limit based on safety testing.
Official source -
Electric Hazard
GlobalElectric hazard warning per ISO 7010 — the pictogram indicates the presence of high-voltage components inside. Disassembling without qualified personnel can cause severe electric shock, even after disconnecting from mains (capacitors may retain charge for a long time). DO NOT disassemble unless you are an authorized technician.
Official source
Wireless
· 2-
Bluetooth SIG
GlobalBluetooth Special Interest Group — non-profit organization owning the Bluetooth trademark. All products using Bluetooth technology must be qualified through SIG (specification conformance testing). Using the Bluetooth name or logo without qualification is a trademark violation.
Official source -
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED
GlobalIndustry consortium certifying Wi-Fi interoperability between devices. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED mark guarantees that the product has been tested for compliance with IEEE 802.11 standards and works correctly with other certified Wi-Fi devices. Also covers security (WPA2/WPA3).
Official source
Markings displayed are based on data declared by the manufacturer. Actual product markings may vary by region and revision.
