The clamshell handheld I tell the GBA SP not to worry about is under $60, but not at Amazon

Anbernic RG35XXSP on woodgrain surface with Marvel vs Capcom 2 title on screen and Super Pocket and RG35XX Plus handhelds in backdrop. — (Image credit: Future)

I'm forever having to reassure my GBA SP that I won't ditch it for the Anbernic RG35XXSP. I can see why it's worried, as that latter portable emulator looks almost identical to the original clamshell while boasting the ability to emulate plenty of classic consoles, but you can't beat the real deal, right? Well, don't tell the lil guy, but the flip screen gadget is trying to flirt with me via an early Black Friday offer.

I normally expect gadgets like the RG35XXSP to show up at Amazon at their lowest, especially when you factor in free delivery. Yet, Anbernic's flippy Game Boy Advance SP clone is actually down to $52.17 from around $70, thanks to a Black Friday Retro deal and coupon combo at AliExpress.

Look, I like to usually stick with Amazon purely because delivery feels like a safer bet, but not when the price gap is this wide. While many of the best retro handheld options on my hit list for Black Friday do end up being around the same price, the retail giant is only dropping the RG35XXSP to $68.99 ahead of the main event.

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Anbernic RG35XXSP with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time on screen and two Super Pocket consoles at top corners and two Anbernic handhelds at bottom — (Image credit: Future / Wesley Copeland)

For under $60, the RG35XXSP is one hell of a handheld for emulating most retro consoles from the '90s and early 2000s. NES, SNES, Genesis, and, of course, Game Boy Advance are an absolute given, but PS1 isn't a stretch for the compact clamshell. Even some PSP outings will work on this portable, but you should expect some frame rate blips with beefier releases like the God of War games.

But hey, the fact that the RG35XXSP looks almost like a GBA SP while providing access to way more games is enough of a selling point. Normally, there's at least something uncanny with clone consoles that cramps the original style, but Anbernic has created a clamshell that, at a glance, looks nearly identical to Ninty's 2000s Pokemon machine.

Plus, unlike the original GBA SP model (AGS-001), you're getting a proper blacklit 3.5-inch IPS display with a crispier 640 x 480 resolution. Yes, my younger eyes were mesmerized by the jump from the Game Boy Color's unilluminated display to something with a front light, but the OG SP's screen tech looks pretty washed out compared to modern displays.

Anbernic RG35XXSP with Star Wars: Episode 3 gameplay on screen — (Image credit: Future / Wesley Copeland)

Things have been pretty sketchy for the handheld emulation scene lately, thanks to global economic turmoil. I can actively see device makers like Anbernic trying to keep prices down, but evolving tariffs mean that new stock is creeping up in price. So, it's nice to see Black Friday actually facilitate some fresh offers, and it might be worth grabbing devices like the RG35XXSP before something else drives pricing up.

See more retro handhelds at Amazon
See more retro consoles at Amazon

Looking for more offers? Swing by Black Friday Steam Deck deals for accessories and more. You'll also want to check out the Black Friday gaming monitor deals if you have a desktop setup.

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Phil is the Hardware Editor at GamesRadar+ who specializes in retro console setups, choosing the latest gaming handhelds, and navigating the choppy seas of using modern-day PC hardware. In the past, they have covered everything from retro gaming history to the latest gaming news, in-depth features, and tech advice for publications like TechRadar, The Daily Star, the BBC, PCGamesN, and Den of Geek. In their spare time, they pour hours into fixing old consoles, modding Game Boys, exploring ways to get the most out of the Steam Deck, and blasting old CRT TV visuals into their eye sockets.

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