The Analogue Pocket is a handheld game console created and made by Analogue. It was announced in October 2019 and released on December 13, 2021. The console uses field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chips to play games from different handheld consoles made up to the sixth generation.
Design
The Analogue Pocket uses an Altera Cyclone V FPGA chip, which can be reprogrammed to copy the hardware of different game consoles. Unlike an emulator, an FPGA works almost exactly like the original hardware. When first used, the Analogue Pocket is set up to copy the hardware of Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance consoles. The Pocket has a physical cartridge slot at the back of the console that fits all Game Boy Game Pak types.
This FPGA can also be reprogrammed to copy the Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket / Pocket Color, Atari Lynx, and TurboGrafx-16. Adapters (sold separately) allow game cartridges from these systems to be used in the cartridge slot. Because the Sega Master System and Game Gear have similar hardware, Master System cartridges can also be used in the cartridge slot with a third-party adapter or the Analogue Game Gear adapter. Another Altera Cyclone 10 FPGA manages system functions inside the Analogue Pocket.
For more features, the Analogue Pocket includes a microSD card slot. A USB-C port is included to charge the built-in lithium-ion battery and to connect to a proprietary docking station called the Analogue Dock. This docking station allows wireless controller support and HDMI output.
Release
The Analogue Pocket was announced on October 16, 2019. However, its release was delayed because of a shortage of computer chips caused by the pandemic. It finally launched on December 13, 2021, in black and white colors. Since then, Analogue has added new versions of the Pocket. A glow-in-the-dark model was released in September 2023. Transparent colors were added in October 2023, and models with classic Game Boy colors were introduced in November 2023. In July 2024, Analogue released all-aluminum models in white, black, gray, and indigo colors.
The 1.1 software update was originally planned for January 2022 but arrived in July of that year. This update introduced openFPGA, a system that lets outside developers create special software tools using the Pocket’s hardware. It also added the ability to play the PDP-1 computer game Spacewar!, introduced save states called "Memories," and added "info cards" called "Library" for game cartridges.
In December 2023, Analogue released firmware updates 1.2 and 2.0. Version 1.2 fixed problems with sleep/wake functions, improved compatibility between adapters and FPGAs, and allowed software to detect when the device was connected to a dock. Version 2.0 added custom color options for Game Boy games, let FPGAs change screen sizes when docked, and fixed a video issue with some openFPGA tools when docked. Firmware update 2.2 added support for adapters for the Lynx, TurboGrafx-16, and Neo Geo Pocket Color systems.
Reception
In a 2021 review, Sam Machkovech of Ars Technica said the Pocket has a good screen, accurate simulation of Nintendo hardware, good audio, and strong controls. However, he noted problems with uneven weight and unclear instructions about how extra features would work. He wrote, "What, did you miss all the glowing praise? Buy it—if you can."
In 2022, Brendan Nystedt of Wired gave the Pocket an 8/10 score. He praised its screen, controls, ability to work with Nintendo cartridges, and potential with OpenFPGA. He also mentioned issues with the volume and power buttons being "annoying," no protection for the cartridge slot, and a less-than-ideal layout for Game Boy Advance games. He wrote, "If you don't care about the nostalgia of using a real Nintendo Game Boy, the Analogue Pocket might be the best upgrade for your retro games collection."
The Analogue Pocket won a Red Dot Design Award in 2022. It was nominated for Wallpaper’s 2019 Design Awards. The Pocket also received two Fast Company awards in 2020: Best Product Design and Best Design Innovations in North America.