This is a news post that I didn't think I'd be writing this week, only because retro emulation is a grey area, seeing as it incentivises the use and downloading of game files that many do not own.
That said, we are all for handheld emulators, they're incredible gaming devices that allow us to take retro games with us wherever we please in comfortable form factors and hardware that pushes even PS2 Emulation to silky smooth frame rates.
ANBERNIC has typically sold their devices on their website, AliExpress and sometimes dodgy retailers on Amazon with inflated prices.
But now, our American and Canadian readers will be glad to know that you can now buy these devices through Best Buy according to Wario64 on X. Each country has a different selection to choose from.
For example, Best Buy's American store shows the RG556, the RG406H and the RG406V available to buy in-store (very specific stores) and online with a quick two day delivery or a store pick-up in 4 - 5 days. These handhelds have a big mark up, almost $100+ in comparison to ANBERNIC's official website and are all Android based handhelds.
It's worth noting that these will likely not come pre-loaded with ROMs, as that is 100% illegal and Best Buy will not want any part of that. Second hand stores here in the UK that sell these devices pre-owned actually remove the SD-cards with ROMs on them to stop and legal fees coming their way. Best Buy will do the same.
Canada's Best Buy store has a more affordable selection, none of them being Android based but Linux only. Each with a smaller markup of around $20 - $60. I found the RG40XXV and the RG34XX available to buy online only.
Now, these devices sometimes come with pre-loaded games from ANBERNIC, as I have experienced before, and is likely why you see the "open box" in the product listing title.
My bet is that Best Buy have to legally open the box to take out the SD-Card that comes with pre-loaded ROMs, or remove the SD card entirely that features its OS, but only time will tell if that is in fact what is going on with the "open box".
It's a big step for ANBERNIC to make their devices more main stream, and it's likely that other manufacturers such as GoRetroid will follow. Even Analogue have yet to put their products into retail stores. ModRetro teamed up with GameStop, and AYANEO has their devices in Best Buy too, so perhaps this is the beginning of these niche devices becoming "main stream"?
This could be due to Best Buy's upcoming Marketplace that allows sellers to partner with trusted brands, but that's not "released", so this makes me believe that Best Buy are indeed stocking ANBERNIC products officially.
