Anbernic is beating Sony to the chase with its RG Vita handheld, but I don't think it's enough like a PS Vita

It was only a matter of time before Anbernic made a PS Vita homage, and the company just dropped a "first look" at its PlayStation-inspired handheld. As you'd perhaps expect, it mimics the aesthetics of Sony's 2010s PSP successor, but I actually don't think it goes far enough.

In a freshly posted YouTube clip, the best gaming handheld maker reveals glamour shots of both the Anbernic RG Vita and RG Vita "Pro". At a glance, the former looks pretty similar to the Trimu Smart Pro currently on my testbench, but bubble accents around the face buttons and raised transparent shoulders help signal that it's supposed to be a specific clone.

The teaser also reveals that the vanilla version has oval concave grips at each side, just like the PS Vita, but avoids showing off the Pro version's rear end. Side by side, the models are pretty similar, and I suspect we might be looking at an Anbernic RG Cube vs the cheaper Cubexx scenario, where you're getting toned-down features and specs.

First Look: ANBERNIC RG VITA & RG VITA Pro Make Their Debut! - YouTube

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Anbernic hasn't shared any RG Vita details beyond the teaser trailer yet, so I can't comment on how punchy the portable. What I am keen to know is whether the retro handheld brand has gone the extra mile in including a touchpad with the Pro version, as that could be why it hasn't revealed the back yet. That would make it more like an actual PS Vita alternative in terms of functionality.

Before we get to ambitious features, though, I want to point out some design differences that are, perhaps unreasonably, getting on my nerves. The first is that Anbernic has left out the landyard holes on each side, which are one of the handheld's most distinctive visual elements in my book.

As a knock-on effect, it also feels like the thumbsticks are slightly higher up compared to an actual PS Vita. Perhaps this is something that will result in a nicer feel when using either RG Vita handheld, thus prompting me to eat my words, but it does still result in a different vibe. I can't help but feel like Anbernic has also skipped on some fun branding opportunities when it comes to replicating the oval PlayStation button on the left of the OG portable and bezel text, as the new clones are missing both.

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Don't get me wrong, I'm still glad to see the PS Vita making some sort of comeback, as Sony is dragging its heels with creating a successor. That said, the RG Vita line-up feels like more of a nod to the original handheld than a proper homage, and that's surprising given how much the Anbernic RG35XXSP looks like a Game Boy Advance SP.

But hey, if Sony ends up just sticking with its PlayStation Portal design with its future PS6 handheld, Anbernic's latest portable might be the last Vita-shaped device we get.

• PlayStation Portal | $199.99 at Amazon
• More gaming handhelds at Amazon

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