BananaOS Takes a Lightweight Approach to the Anbernic RG DS and DS Plus

With ROCKNIX, GammaOS, and other custom firmware options already available for Anbernic’s dual-screen handhelds, do we really need another operating system? Developer JorreFog apparently thinks so, but BananaOS isn’t necessarily trying to offer more. Instead, it’s attempting to do more with less.

Most custom firmware includes a variety of services running behind the scenes. BananaOS takes a different approach by stripping away much of what you might expect from a traditional operating system.

Built using Buildroot, a tool for creating lightweight Linux systems, BananaOS skips the traditional desktop environment and many background services. Instead, it boots directly into the ROCKNIXDS Pixel interface, designed for the dual displays of the Anbernic RG DS and RG DS Plus.

When you launch a game, BananaOS gets the menu out of the way, allowing the emulator to access the hardware without unnecessary software running in between.

The idea is to spend fewer resources running the operating system and more running the actual games.

One of the appeals of a clamshell handheld is the ability to close the lid, toss it aside, and pick up exactly where you left off.

BananaOS puts an emphasis on making that experience as seamless as possible. Closing the lid puts the handheld to sleep, preserving your game until you’re ready to return. Open it again, and you can resume playing without restarting.

Startup speed is another priority. The developer reports that the RG DS Plus reaches the BananaOS menu approximately 7.1 seconds after the Linux kernel starts. That’s not the entire power-on process, but it’s an encouraging figure.

For me, this is just as important as squeezing a few extra frames out of an emulator. A handheld should be something you can pick up, play for a few minutes, and put away without making a production out of it.

BananaOS includes two DS emulators: SuperDrastic and BananaDS.

SuperDrastic builds on the popular DraStic emulator with enhancements developed for ROCKNIXDS. BananaDS takes a different approach, using a melonDS-based emulator with display handling designed for these dual-screen handhelds.

BananaOS 0.4.0 lets you choose which emulator to use for individual games. If one struggles with a particular title, you have another option without changing settings for your entire library.

BananaDS also supports RetroAchievements and online DS functionality through Kaeru, a community service that replaces Nintendo’s discontinued Wi-Fi Connection service.

According to the developer, Mario Kart DS has already been tested successfully online.

DS emulation is the major focus but BananaOS also supports other classic systems through RetroArch.

JorreFog openly acknowledges using Claude, Anthropic’s AI assistant, extensively during development, including help with code, testing, and documentation.

The developer mentions that they’re directing the project, reviewing the work, and testing the results on actual hardware.

This is key because this isn’t a simple application. BananaOS has to manage two displays, game controls, sleep and resume, multiple emulators, and system updates.

It’s an interesting example of how AI-assisted development can help an individual developer tackle a project that might otherwise require considerably more time and resources. This is a hot-button issue in gaming right now, and in many workplaces, to be honest. In fact, I’m required to use Claude at my job; it’s built into our performance review.

Generating code is one thing. Making sure it works reliably is the responsibility of the developer. The testing, maintenance, and the developer’s ability to identify and resolve problems are key.

BananaOS sounds promising. I want to be transparent that I have not yet installed it myself. Its lightweight approach, clamshell functionality, and DS emulation features certainly make for an interesting combination.

Development is moving quickly, too. Version 0.4.0, released October 18, 2026, brings support for both the original RG DS and RG DS Plus, along with improvements to game libraries, emulator compatibility, and overall usability.

BananaOS is still alpha software. Some features remain unfinished, and certain games may experience performance issues.

The developer’s reported improvements are encouraging but they don’t automatically mean BananaOS is faster or more reliable than ROCKNIXDS or GammaOS. I should set aside some time for proper hands-on comparisons.

What interests me most is how the project is evolving. BananaOS started with the idea of stripping away unnecessary components, but each release brings more of the features people expect from a modern gaming frontend.

Can it continue adding functionality without losing the lightweight approach that makes it different? I’ll be watching as development continues.

Before you go reaching for that spare microSD card, keep in mind that BananaOS is still very much a work in progress. Version 0.4.0 supports both the RG DS and RG DS Plus, but this is still alpha software, so expect a few bumps along the way. I’d recommend reviewing the documentation before diving in.

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