Device comparison

MagicX Zero 40 vs. Anbernic RG ARC-S

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

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With

Zero 40
RG ARC-S

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

Quick verdict

Best value
Zero 40
More portable
Zero 40
Newer model
Zero 40

Main differences

  • MagicX Zero 40 has similar emulation coverage to Anbernic RG ARC-S.
  • MagicX Zero 40 is about $3 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • MagicX Zero 40 is roughly 7% smaller and 24% lighter.
  • MagicX Zero 40 runs Android 10; Anbernic RG ARC-S runs Linux.
  • MagicX Zero 40 is highlighted for DS, GBA, Game Boy, NES; Anbernic RG ARC-S is highlighted for DS, PS1, Genesis, GBA.

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecZero 40RG ARC-S
Price$75$78
OSAndroid 10Linux
Aspect ratio3:54:3
Resolution480 x 800640 x 480
ChipsetAllwinner A133 PlusRockChip RK3566
CPUCortex-A53Cortex-A55
GPUPowerVR GE8300Mali-G52 2EE
RAM2 GB DDR41 GB LPDDR4
Battery4300 mAh3500 mAh
Weight182 grams240 grams
Dimensions136 mm x 105 mm x 17 mm191 mm x 80 mm x 22 mm
Video outNoYes
Hall effect sticksYesNo
Touch screenYesNo

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemZero 40RG ARC-S
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

  • Zero 40 DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip The aspect ratio of the Touch Zero screen's is ideal for DS, with each screen being 2.6"
  • RG ARC-S 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
  • Zero 40 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG ARC-S 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable 3DS will only work on Android, not Linux
  • Zero 40 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG ARC-S GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Zero 40 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • RG ARC-S N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Zero 40 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG ARC-S NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Zero 40 PS1: Sony Playstation: All games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG ARC-S PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Zero 40 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG ARC-S PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable PS2 will only work on Android, not Linux
  • Zero 40 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG ARC-S PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Zero 40 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • RG ARC-S PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • Zero 40 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG ARC-S Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Zero 40 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG ARC-S SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Zero 40 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG ARC-S Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Zero 40 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • RG ARC-S Saturn: Sega Saturn: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • Zero 40 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RG ARC-S Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • Zero 40 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG ARC-S Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Zero 40 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RG ARC-S Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • Zero 40 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • RG ARC-S GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • Zero 40 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • RG ARC-S Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the MagicX Zero 40 and the Anbernic RG ARC-S?
MagicX Zero 40 has similar emulation coverage to Anbernic RG ARC-S. MagicX Zero 40 is about $3 cheaper based on catalog pricing. MagicX Zero 40 is roughly 7% smaller and 24% lighter. MagicX Zero 40 runs Android 10; Anbernic RG ARC-S runs Linux. MagicX Zero 40 is highlighted for DS, GBA, Game Boy, NES; Anbernic RG ARC-S is highlighted for DS, PS1, Genesis, GBA.
Which is cheaper, the MagicX Zero 40 or the Anbernic RG ARC-S?
The MagicX Zero 40 is the cheaper of the two at around $75, roughly $3 less than the Anbernic RG ARC-S based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the MagicX Zero 40 or the Anbernic RG ARC-S?
The MagicX Zero 40 is the newer model, released in 2025.

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