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Analogue Pocket

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Analogue Pocket
ManufacturerAnalogue
TypeHandheld game console
Release dateDecember 13, 2021 (December 13, 2021)
Introductory priceUS$219.99
Media
Operating systemAnalogue OS[1]
CPU
  • Altera Cyclone V
  • Altera Cyclone 10
Display3.5" backlit 1600x1440 LTPS LCD display
Connectivity3.5 mm headphone jack, Game Boy link cable, MicroSD, USB-C (power and dock interface)
Websiteanalogue.co/pocket

The Analogue Pocket is a handheld game console designed and manufactured by Analogue. Announced in October 2019 and released on December 13, 2021, it uses field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chips to play games from various handheld consoles up to the sixth generation.

Design

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The Analogue Pocket is designed around an Altera Cyclone V FPGA chip, which can be reprogrammed to mimic the hardware of various game consoles. Unlike an emulator, an FPGA can function nearly identically to the original hardware. Out of the box, the Analogue Pocket is designed to replicate the hardware of Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance consoles.[2] The Pocket has a physical cartridge slot at the rear of the console which accepts all Game Boy Game Pak types.[3]

This FPGA can also be reprogrammed to replicate the Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket/Pocket Color, Atari Lynx, TurboGrafx-16 and adapters (sold separately) allow their game cartridges to be plugged into the cartridge slot.[4] Due to the near identical hardware of the Sega Master System and Game Gear, Sega Master System cartridges can also be run from the cartridge slot via a third-party adapter in addition to the Analogue Game Gear adapter.[5] An additional Altera Cyclone 10 FPGA handles system management within the Analogue Pocket.[6]

For expanded connectivity, the Analogue Pocket offers a microSD card slot. A USB-C port is included for charging the built-in lithium-ion battery and to connect to a proprietary docking station, Analogue Dock, which enables wireless controller support and HDMI output.[7]

Release

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The Analogue Pocket was announced on October 16, 2019.[8][9] but its release was delayed several times due to global chip shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally launched on December 13, 2021 in black and white colors.[10] Since then, Analogue has expanded the Pocket's lineup with a glow-in-the-dark version in September 2023, [11][12] transparent colors in October 2023[13] and models in classic Game Boy colors in November 2023.[14] Analogue released all-aluminium models of the Pocket in white, black, gray and indigo colors on July 15, 2024.[15]

Post-release software updates

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The Pocket's software updates have also seen some delays. Initially planned for January 2022, the 1.1 update arrived in July. This update introduced openFPGA, a framework which allows third party developers to develop FPGA simulation cores using Pocket's hardware.[16] It introduced emulation for the PDP-1 computer with the classic game Spacewar!, along with save states ("Memories") and informative "info cards" ("Library") for inserted cartridges.[17]

In December 2023, Analogue released firmware updates 1.2 and 2.0. Version 1.2 addressed sleep/wake and save state issues, improved compatibility between adapters and FPGAs, and allowed cores to detect the docked state.[18] Version 2.0 brought custom color palettes for Game Boy games, allowed FPGA cores to switch aspect ratios when docked and resolved a video issue with certain openFPGA cores in docked mode.[18] Firmware update version 2.2 brought support for the Lynx, TurboGrafx-16 and Neo Geo Pocket Color cartridge adapters.[19]

Hardware

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The Analogue Pocket has the following hardware specifications:[20][21]

Height 5.86 in (149 mm)
Width 3.4 in (86 mm)
Depth 0.86 in (22 mm)
Weight 275 g (9.7 oz)
Display 3.5-inch (diagonal) backlit LTPS color liquid-crystal display (LCD), variable refresh (30–62 Hz)
Resolution 1600 (w) × 1440 (h) pixels (10:9 aspect ratio)[b]
Power
Battery life 6–10 hours
CPU
Memory
Sound Stereo speakers, 3.5 mm headphone jack
I/O
Controls
  • D-pad
  • Eight action buttons
  • Menu button
  • Volume buttons
  • Power button

Reception

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In a 2021 review, Sam Machkovech of Ars Technica praised the Pocket's screen, accuracy in simulating Nintendo hardware, audio quality, controls and other features, but criticized its uneven weight distribution and lack of clarity on how the add-on functionality would work. His verdict reads, "What, did you miss all the glowing praise? Buy it—if you can."[22]

In 2022, Brendan Nystedt of Wired gave the Pocket a score of 8/10, praising its screen, controls, compatibility with Nintendo cartridges and potential with OpenFPGA, but criticizing its volume and power buttons as "annoying", the lack of protection for the cartridge slot and the inferior layout for Game Boy Advance games. He wrote, "If you don't care about the nostalgia brought on by using an actual Nintendo Game Boy, the Analogue Pocket might be the ultimate upgrade for your retro games collection."[23]

Awards

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The Analogue Pocket won a Red Dot Design Award in 2022[24] It was nominated for Wallpaper's 2019 Design Awards.[25] The Pocket was also awarded two Fast Company awards for Best Product Design of 2020[26] and Best Design Innovations of 2020 in the North America region.[27]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Adapter required
  2. ^ Same aspect ratio and 10x resolution of the Game Boy/Game Boy Color

References

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  1. ^ Doolan, Liam (19 October 2021). "Analogue Pocket Is Getting Its Own OS – Allowing Users To Explore, Discover And Preserve Video Game History". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  2. ^ Souppouris, Aaron (16 October 2019). "Analogue's $200 Pocket could be the ultimate retro gaming portable". Engadget. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  3. ^ Nero, Dom (17 December 2021). "I'm Falling In Love With the Game Boy All Over Again". Esquire. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  4. ^ Extension, Time (9 March 2024). "Review: Analogue Pocket Adapters - Lynx, PC Engine And NGPC Support Is Finally Here". Time Extension. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  5. ^ Blips 'n Pips (8 February 2022). The Master System Convertor on the Analogue Pocket!. Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ Jones, Darran (February 2022). "Analogue Pocket: A Monster in Your Pocket". Retro Gamer (229). Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Analogue Pocket FAQ". Analogue. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  8. ^ Kuchera, Ben (16 October 2019). "This $199 handheld will be the most decadent way to play Game Boy games". Polygon. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  9. ^ Stein, Scott. "The $200 Analogue Pocket looks like the best Game Boy ever made". CNET. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  10. ^ Zhang, Jenny (22 November 2021). "The Analogue Pocket Will Begin Shipping In December". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  11. ^ Moon, Mariella (28 August 2023). "A glow-in-the-dark Analogue Pocket will be available in September". Engadget. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  12. ^ Cunningham, Andrew (28 August 2023). "Analogue's supercharged modern-day Game Boy now glows in the dark". Ars Technica. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  13. ^ Webster, Andrew (25 September 2023). "The Analogue Pocket is getting a delightful limited-edition transparent version". The Verge.
  14. ^ Parrish, Ash (15 November 2023). "The Analogue Pocket now comes in a rainbow of classic Game Boy colors". The Verge. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  15. ^ Cunningham, Andrew (12 July 2024). "$500 aluminum version of the Analogue Pocket looks like the Game Boy's final form". Ars Technica. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  16. ^ "openFPGA". www.analogue.co. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  17. ^ Machkovech, Sam (29 July 2022). "Analogue comes out swinging with Pocket 1.1 update: "We're not f-ing around"". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  18. ^ a b Cunningham, Andrew (5 January 2024). "Flurry of firmware updates makes Analogue Pocket an even better retro handheld". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Firmware 2.2 - Pocket". www.analogue.co. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Pocket FAQ". www.analogue.co. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Developer FAQ". www.analogue.co. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  22. ^ Machkovech, Sam (13 December 2021). "Analogue Pocket review: The greatest Game Boy ever made". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  23. ^ Nystedt, Brendan (20 December 2022). "The Best Way to Play Old Game Boy Cartridges". Wired. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Analogue Pocket Red Dot Design Award". Red Dot. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  25. ^ Cleary, Mary (6 January 2020). "'Save' separation toilet by Laufen wins Wallpaper Design Award for Life-Enhancer of the Year". Wallpaper. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  26. ^ "The best product design of 2020". Fast Company. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  27. ^ "The best design innovations of 2020 in the North America region". Fast Company. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
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