Device comparison

Anbernic RG557 vs. Retroid Pocket Nova

Compare specs, emulation support, community reviews, ownership, and play history.

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RG557
Retroid Pocket Nova

Shown to scale from each device’s real-world dimensions.

Quick verdict

Best value
RG557
Better screen
Retroid Pocket Nova
More portable
Retroid Pocket Nova
Newer model
Retroid Pocket Nova

Main differences

  • Retroid Pocket Nova has similar emulation coverage to Anbernic RG557.
  • Anbernic RG557 is about $3 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • Retroid Pocket Nova is roughly 28% smaller and 27% lighter.
  • Retroid Pocket Nova has a 120 Hz AMOLED screen, versus 60 Hz AMOLED on Anbernic RG557.
  • Retroid Pocket Nova runs Android 13; Anbernic RG557 runs Android 14.
  • Retroid Pocket Nova is highlighted for PS2, GameCube, Dreamcast, Saturn, N64, PS1; Anbernic RG557 is highlighted for PS2, Wii, GameCube, PSP.

Retroid

Retroid Pocket Nova

Details
Price
$252
OS
Android 13
Released
Jul 2026
Up to
Switch
Screen
4.5 inch AMOLED
Weight
255 grams

No reviews yet

1 collector

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecRG557Retroid Pocket Nova
Price$249$252
OSAndroid 14Android 13
Screen5.48 inch4.5 inch
Aspect ratio16:94:3
Resolution1920 x 10801280 x 960
Refresh rate60 Hz120 Hz
ChipsetMediaTek Dimensity 8300Qualcomm QCS8550 (Dragonwing, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-class)
CPUCortex-A715 / Cortex-A510Cortex-X3 / Cortex-A715 / Cortex-A710 / Cortex-A510
GPUMali-G615 MC6Qualcomm Adreno 740
StorageInternal 128 GB / 256 GB UFS 4.0, External MicroSDInternal 128 GB UFS 3.1, External MicroSD
Battery5500 mAh5000 mAh
Weight347 grams255 grams
Dimensions223 mm x 89 mm x 15-25 mm169.9 mm x 84.1 mm x 15.6 - 26.3 mm
Hall effect sticksNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemRG557Retroid Pocket Nova
Classic systems
Game Boy
NES
Genesis
GBA
SNES
PS1
Mid-generation systems
DS
N64
Dreamcast
PSP
Saturn
Sixth-generation systems
GameCube
Wii
PS2
Modern systems
3DS
Switch
Wii U
PS3

Emulation source notes

  • RG557 DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip This device does not have a touchscreen, so you won't be able to play DS games that rely heavily on the touchscreen
  • Retroid Pocket Nova DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 N64: Nintendo 64: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova N64: Nintendo 64: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 PS1: Sony Playstation: All games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova PS1: Sony Playstation: All games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Retroid Pocket Nova PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • RG557 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova Wii: Nintendo Wii: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable Extreme rendering problems due to Mali GPU
  • Retroid Pocket Nova Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • RG557 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova Saturn: Sega Saturn: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Retroid Pocket Nova Switch: Nintendo Switch: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG557 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Retroid Pocket Nova Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the Anbernic RG557 and the Retroid Pocket Nova?
Retroid Pocket Nova has similar emulation coverage to Anbernic RG557. Anbernic RG557 is about $3 cheaper based on catalog pricing. Retroid Pocket Nova is roughly 28% smaller and 27% lighter. Retroid Pocket Nova has a 120 Hz AMOLED screen, versus 60 Hz AMOLED on Anbernic RG557. Retroid Pocket Nova runs Android 13; Anbernic RG557 runs Android 14. Retroid Pocket Nova is highlighted for PS2, GameCube, Dreamcast, Saturn, N64, PS1; Anbernic RG557 is highlighted for PS2, Wii, GameCube, PSP.
Which is cheaper, the Anbernic RG557 or the Retroid Pocket Nova?
The Anbernic RG557 is the cheaper of the two at around $249, roughly $3 less than the Retroid Pocket Nova based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the Anbernic RG557 or the Retroid Pocket Nova?
The Retroid Pocket Nova is the newer model, released in 2026.
Which is more popular on retroshelf, the Anbernic RG557 or the Retroid Pocket Nova?
The Retroid Pocket Nova is in more collections on retroshelf right now, with 1 collector tracking it.

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