OVERAnbernic's RG DS gets Linux V1.1: faster DS emulation, Vulkan for PSP and a screen-off mode for single-screen games
Anbernic's RG DS is a budget dual-screen clamshell styled after the Nintendo DS Lite, running Anbernic's own Linux system rather than Android. Notebookcheck lists it at $129 on Amazon and notes it was widely criticised for software problems at launch. Anbernic has been patching it since, and on October 19 it published Linux V1.1 (build RG DS-en-16G-V1.1-261008), one of the device's bigger updates so far.
What's new in V1.1
- NNDDSS 1.0.2: Anbernic's built-in DS emulator is updated for better performance and efficiency, which should also help battery life.
- Vulkan for PSP: the PSP emulator gets a Vulkan backend, which Anbernic says improves performance and frame-rate stability.
- Single-screen display option: a new display setting turns off the screen you aren't using when a game only needs one, such as PSP or Game Boy Advance titles.
Anbernic's download site has a separate changelog for NNDDSS 1.0.2, listed under its RG DS Plus entry. It mentions a dynamic 2x internal resolution option that drops back to 1x when the load gets too high, smoother emulation, new shaders, more menu languages, and loading a save state now goes straight back into the game. We haven't confirmed that every one of those changes is in the RG DS build, so treat that list as a guide.
How to install it
The update isn't delivered over the air. Anbernic distributes a full system image, and you flash it to the system microSD card from a computer with a card reader. Only the image for 16GB system cards is public. If your RG DS runs its system from a 64GB card, Anbernic says to contact its customer support for the matching image. Flashing rewrites the system card, so back up your saves first, and download only from Anbernic's official post.
Why it matters for handheld players
Turning off the second panel is the most practical change here. On a dual-screen handheld, a lit bottom screen during a GBA or PSP game wastes battery and is a distraction. Faster DS emulation and Vulkan for PSP also go straight at the RG DS's main jobs. If you bought one at launch and shelved it because of the software, V1.1 is a good reason to try it again. Spending more for 3DS-class performance? Anbernic's Android-based RG DDS, which is up for pre-order, is the step up.