Announced last year, Analogue Pocket finally got a release date. Analogue’s FPGA-based handheld is capable of playing games from various libraries, including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. The handheld begins shipping in May 2021, while preorders will be available August 3 at 8 am PT / 11 am ET. The Analogue Pocket costs $ 200 and comes in black and white, while the Analogue Dock costs $ 99.
A number of new details were also revealed. The Analogue Pocket features a 4300 mAh battery that allows 6 to 10 hours of play time (or more than 10 hours of sleep time). It can be put into sleep mode and wake up by pressing the power button. This allows you to pause your games whenever you want and resume them as such; GBA sleep mode support is not required.
Pre-orders open August 3 at 8AM PT / 11AM ET.
The Analogue Pocket also features “Original Screen Modes” that make the Pocket’s screen look like original handheld computers. This makes it possible to play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games as if you were playing on original hardware, with the aspect ratio and green glow intact.
The Analogue Pocket can also be connected to a separate device that allows you to play your portable games on a television. The Dock supports up to four controllers via Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless connection, and USB. The Pocket is also capable of link cable multiplayer, similar to the original handhelds, although you will need a cable which is sold separately.
Analogue also revealed some new accessories, including a transparent hard case, a tempered glass screen protector, a USB-C power supply, and cartridge adapters for Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket Color, and Atari Lynx. While you can buy a screen protector, the Analogue Pocket screen is made from Gorilla Glass, which produces a screen that’s about three times thicker than most smartphones.
Since its unveiling, both the Analogue Pocket and the Dock have received a small design change. In the pocket, the start, select, and start buttons have been moved to the bottom center of the handheld. The Dock’s USB-C connection port has also been recessed to increase the stability of the Pocket.
Analogue Pocket is just the latest system to make playing games from our past easy: check out our retro game guide for the best consoles and accessories for playing classic games.
