MagicX has released the final specs for its upcoming DS-centric handheld, the Zero 40.
Late last year, MagicX announced that it was working on a device specifically tuned for Nintendo DS emulation. It features an elongated 480 x 800 screen that should allow for 1.8x scaling on both DS screens when stacked on top of each other.
Most retro handhelds that feature one screen are able to emulate DS to various different degrees. Older mainstays in retro handhelds like the Miyoo Mini Plus or newer devices like the RG35XX SP can manage to get DS emulation running, but it relies almost squarely on how intensive the game may be on the CPU or if the game is 2D or 3D. Due to this, a lot of the budget consoles struggle to reach DS emulation in any sort of reliable manner.
One of the stronger, smaller devices, the TrimUI Brick, features the same CPU as the 16:9 Smart Pro made by the same company. That handheld can get DS emulation playing well on its screen, but since it features only one screen and has no touch capability, the emulation of DS titles is mostly restricted to games that don’t rely on any touch controls.
MagicX Zero 40 in Use
MagicX is aiming to make a single console that features a long enough screen to allow for emulation of the DS library with little sacrifice in sight.
The design of the device harkens to memories of the original Nintendo 2DS and its wedge-like form factor. With it, Nintendo opted to utilize one single screen, but have it produce both screen views in different areas, giving the appearance of two screens like on all of the DSes that came before it.
MagicX is utilizing a similar design methodology with the Zero 40. One single screen will show both the top and bottom screens, but since the top screen has no touch-based usage, only the bottom portion will be used for the obvious touch controls gamers may find in games from the DS library.
Specs Built for DS Emulation
The company has shared specs for the device as well. As mentioned earlier, the A133P that we see in the TrimUI Smart Pro and Brick can handle DS emulation relatively well, and MagicX is relying on the same chip with the Zero 40.
MagicX Zero 40 Specs
DS emulation is often times tricky on retro handhelds solely due to its dual screen setup. Retro handhelds primarily focus on being able to emulate multiple consoles, so a dual screen display is usually not necessary. However, in the past few months, a desire for a DS inspired handheld has grown exponentially, partially due to the influx of devices we see inspired by other classic handhelds like the Miyoo Flip, Anbernic RG35XX SP, and RG34XX.
Hopefully, MagicX manages to perfect and build the Zero 40 into another one of its many options for budget-friendly emulation handhelds. As it stands now, it’s poised to be a top option when it comes to easily and reliably emulating titles from the DS library.
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