The latest from Anbernic is identical to a Nintendo DS

The copying industry in China is, as we have already seen, here in others occasionsa buoyant parallel economy that has no qualms about replicating, always under more economic coordinates, the successes of others in design, technology or fashion. A phenomenon that has one of its greatest strengths in the tireless console manufacturer Anbernic. And with their latest proposal they have once again knocked out video game fans.

Copying is fine. Before continuing, it is worth remembering that in China they see copies in a different way than in Europe or the West: in just 15 years, the term shanzai It has become common within the economy of the Asian country, although it continues to surprise outside its borders. And we’re not just talking about technology: wine, moisturizing creams, everyday clothes, best-selling books, television shows and movies…

There are different theories for the emergence of this culture, such as that China has had very little time, compared to other countries, to modernize; or the role that China is assuming in the new economic configuration of the world; or that is based on an update of the Confunctionist theses, which live a modernized existence. Having said all this…

In imitation of the DS. The new Anbernic RG DS console imitates the legendary Nintendo DS that turned portable gaming upside down since 2004. As always, with a price that will not reach one hundred euros, it stands up to other Chinese brands that have launched similar models, such as Ayaneo either Ayn. In fact, visually the RG DS is reminiscent of Ayn’s two-screen model, but in the case of Anbernic, the imitation of the Nintendo original is even more pronounced, since it respects the two screens of a much smaller size than the case (not to mention the name, displaying a “DS” without any complex).

Decisions like this are not just aesthetic: it is what allows them to keep the console at a price much lower than that of their competitors, which can reach 400 euros.

The news. The clearest aspect in which Anbernic leaves the Nintendo laptop behind is with the inclusion of two sticks in the device, something that the original console lacked. The screens, however, are behind the main 165 Hz Full HD OLED screen of the Ayaneo or the 120 Hz OLED panels of the Ayn. The processors, another element that drives up prices, are also more powerful in their competitors (Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 or Snapdragon 865, for example). Anbernic has not yet announced the potency of its casings, but it will surely fall short in terms of potency.

Imitating is one thing. Anbernic consoles have never had problems recognizing that they are products designed to tickle the player’s nostalgia: in terms of general design they are comparable to so many vertical and horizontal consoles on the market, but there are models that, by design and colors, are identical to previous models. For example, the Anbernic RG35XX Plus is undoubtedly reminiscent of the original Game Boy, and there is a model in the same shade of gray.

The Anbernic RG35XXSP is reminiscent of Nintendo’s lamented and perfect Game Boy Advance SP, with its opening clamshell format, and the Anbernic RG34XX, of the original Game Boy Advance, with a model that in fact recalls the purple and white tones of the Nintendo one. Although the one that seems really cute to us is the RG300X, in imitation of that memorable marvel that was the Game Boy Micro, and again, with models that clone the colors of the different original models.

A world on the margins. There are no official sales, but certain market behaviors allow us to verify that the Anbernic (like, in general, the entire retro console market) are moving in a way that many official models would already want for themselves. Leaving aside its continued presence on social networks and content creator channels, we have other data. For example on platforms like Alibaba can be seen that models such as the RG40XX V have reached 315 orders in medium sales cycles, with high reorder rates (more than 16%), which shows that distributors constantly replenish stock.

In general, in online stores outside of China is mentioned repeatedly that the different models “sold out” shortly after appearing in international versions, which indicates a high sales rate and a very active fan and buyer base in several global markets (especially Europe, Latin America and part of Asia). A “secret” success where imitation is just one more ingredient in its cocktail of proposals.

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