Anbernic’s original retro console has been removed from AliExpress in the European Union.
Lately, there’s been a surge in popularity for retro viral consoles. Emulation is thriving, and gamers are increasingly looking for Game Boy-style consoles that can run various platforms.
When it comes to retro consoles, one name stands out: Anbernic. This Chinese company has played a significant role in fueling the excitement for these devices, leading to a wave of similar consoles imitating their products.
Now, AliExpress is warning potential buyers that the original console may be toxic and has recalled the console from its store. The European Union has even gone a step further and banned sales of the device.
The affected console: Anbernic RG353VS. The Anbernic RG353VS is a retro device that closely resembles the original Game Boy. It runs on a Linux system and is capable of running various popular Open Source emulators.
These types of consoles have always operated in a legal grey area. Although emulators aren’t prohibited, the issue arises from the fact that these consoles often come pre-loaded with thousands of ROMs obtained from illegal sources. In fact, the operating system itself indicates the origin of the ROM files. All this makes the situation even more legally ambiguous.
Harmful to the environment. However, the withdrawal of the console wasn’t due to the number of ROMs it contains, but rather the high levels of lead used in manufacturing the console, the EU warned in a press release this summer. Specifically, the soldering process used to make the console results in an excessive concentration of lead.
It’s important to note that while there are no direct health risks associated with using this console, the main concern lies in its environmental impact due to the elevated levels of lead.
AliExpress’s reply. AliExpress has promptly taken action to remove the Anbernic RG353VS from its platform and has advised users to stop using it immediately. In particular, the e-commerce giant has sent the following statement to buyers:
“We have learnt that the following product you purchased is or may be illegal.”
As such, AliExpress has recalled the product. Additionally, the Chinese company has confirmed that users who purchased the console can request a refund, which will be processed within 15 days from the date of the request.
What happens with the R36s? In recent weeks, AliExpress has heavily promoted the R36s, Anbernic RG353VS’s most well-known copy, with discount codes. Although the R36s is an almost identical but lower-quality version of the Anbernic, we don’t have specific information about its lead volume.
What will happen with its support and community? China’s Anbernic is the original manufacturer and its software has a large community support. While the halt in RG353VS sales may impact its popularity, it’s unlikely that the company will stop selling consoles and that the community will stop supporting it.
For now, Anbernic hasn’t issued any statement on this issue. We’ve reached out and will update this article when/if we get a response.
Image | Xataka | Focal Foto (via Flickr)
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