In a handheld gaming market saturated with lookalike devices, the Magicx Zero 40 makes a bold entrance with a design that's not only visually unique but also purpose-built. This is not a device trying to be a jack-of-all-trades powerhouse. Instead, it's a focused tool crafted specifically for two experiences: Nintendo DS emulation and vertical (TATE) arcade gaming.
At first glance, the Magicx Zero 40 might look odd. The vertically oriented screen, flanked by controls above and below, is far from conventional. But the moment you start using it, you realize how well this design serves its purpose. The layout naturally mirrors the Nintendo DS's dual-screen setup, making the DS emulation experience feel intuitive and immersive.
Weighing around 182 grams, the device uses a matte plastic shell that feels solid and ergonomic. The vertical form factor offers ample space for your fingers to rest on the back, providing a surprisingly comfortable grip. It's not luxurious, but it’s practical and thoughtfully designed.
Under the hood, the Magicx Zero 40 runs on Android 10 with a custom Dawn launcher, powered by a modest Allwinner A133P chip and 2GB of RAM. While not a performance monster, this configuration handles Nintendo DS and arcade emulation with ease. It features a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen with an 800×480 resolution and a rare 5:3 aspect ratio—just wide enough for DS and vertical arcade games to display comfortably.
The display offers good color saturation and responsive touch control, which is essential for DS games. However, its brightness is on the lower side, making it less suitable for use in direct sunlight or brightly lit environments.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Magicx Zero 40 is its input experience. The D-pad and ABXY buttons use traditional rubber membranes, providing solid tactile feedback. The analog stick is a hall-sensor type with L3/R3 support, and it rivals the quality found on higher-end handhelds. The shoulder buttons are textured, quiet, and responsive. Altogether, the controls feel tight and reliable—a surprise for a device of this class.
Now, let’s talk about its main strength: Nintendo DS emulation. The Magicx Zero 40 splits the screen vertically into two sections, mimicking the top and bottom screens of a DS. A visual divider in the middle simulates the hinge. The Drastic emulator comes preconfigured, running games at 1.9x resolution—not a perfect integer scale, but close enough that most users won’t notice any artifacts.
The experience is highly enjoyable for most DS games. That said, some precision touchscreen titles—like Picross or Brain Age—may suffer due to the smaller screen size and lack of a resistive touch interface. You won’t be able to use the original DS stylus here; instead, you’ll need a capacitive stylus or finger input, which may reduce accuracy.
Vertical arcade games are another perfect match. Preloaded with over 500 TATE-compatible ROMs, the Magicx Zero 40 delivers a satisfying arcade experience. Whether it's 1942, DonDonPachi, or Street Fighter, the vertical aspect ratio lets these games shine. While the display is naturally smaller than what you'd find on an actual arcade cabinet or desktop setup, the experience still feels authentic and compelling for handheld play.
That said, this device isn't built for everything. Systems like NES, SNES, GBA, and other 4:3 horizontal consoles aren’t ideal here. The display size becomes an issue, and default orientation leaves you with tiny gameplay windows. You can rotate the system interface and remap the controls to simulate horizontal play, but the handheld becomes awkward to hold in this setup. It’s a workaround,not a solution.
Software-wise, the Dawn launcher is simple, intuitive, and user-friendly. It supports game cover art scraping, recent play tracking, favorites, auto-save, and more. Game ROMs can be added via OTG cable, and although Google Play isn’t included, APK sideloading is fully supported. You can also access standard Android settings and apps for expanded functionality.
Ultimately, the Magicx Zero 40 feels like a purpose-built gaming tool. It doesn’t try to do everything—it simply tries to do two things well: emulate Nintendo DS and vertical arcade games. And in both categories, it delivers an experience that’s clean, polished, and mostly satisfying.
For fans of DS-era titles or vertical arcade classics, this is a charming and competent handheld. It’s not a premium device, nor a high-performance emulator box. But it is an enthusiast-friendly machine with a niche focus and strong execution. If you're looking for a handheld that dares to be different and pulls it off, the Magicx Zero 40 may be just what you’ve been waiting for.
