Anbernic RG FC520

The Anbernic RG FC520 is a vertical retro handheld released in 2020 and built for one job: playing classic 8-bit games from the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Nintendo Family Computer. It does not run a software emulator. Instead it uses a dedicated NES-on-a-chip SoC based on the Ricoh 2A03, with MOS Technology 6502 architecture and a single core at around 1.8 MHz, paired with the Ricoh 2C02 graphics chip and 2 KB of RAM. You get instant response and behaviour close to the original console, but its reach stops firmly at NES titles.

The 3-inch TFT display runs at 320 x 240 (QVGA) with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 60 Hz refresh rate, at roughly 133 ppi. Because 4:3 matches the original NES output, games fill the screen without awkward stretching or black bars. A plastic lens keeps the unit light and suited to everyday use.

The controls follow the classic NES layout: a cross-shaped D-pad in the upper position, four face buttons including Turbo A and Turbo B, plus Start and Select. There are no analog sticks or shoulder buttons, and NES games never needed them. A rumble motor adds vibration, which is rare on NES-style handhelds. A volume wheel and a physical power switch keep things simple. The plastic body measures 83 x 98.5 x 17 mm and weighs 200 g.

Power comes from a 600 mAh rechargeable battery, charged through a top-facing USB-C port. Sound plays through a single rear-facing mono speaker, and a top-mounted 3.5mm headphone jack is there for private play. An AV Out connection lets you send the picture to a TV, and the device also offers USB-C OTG connectivity.

There is no operating system to configure. Games are stored in internal flash memory, so the console is ready to play as soon as it is switched on. The modding policy is permissive, but the fixed-function hardware is designed around plug-and-play simplicity rather than tinkering. It sits in the $0–50 price bracket, which makes it one of the most affordable ways into authentic 8-bit gaming.

Ideal for: NES nostalgics, collectors and families who want a cheap, uncomplicated handheld that plays 8-bit classics on dedicated hardware, with the option to hook it up to a TV.