Ayaneo Pocket DMG, a Classic GameBoy-Inspired Handheld, Launches Crowdfunding at $339 Starting Price

Ayaneo has just entered the scene with its new handheld device, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG, now available for backing on IndieGogo. This GameBoy-inspired gadget brings modern flair with its Qualcomm Snapdragon G3X Gen 2 engine and OLED display. If you’re quick, you can snag the entry-level version for just $339 USD, which offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. For those seeking a little more muscle, there’s a $499 model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while a Limited Edition “Retro Color” variant is priced at $589 for early adopters.

At these price points, you get a device that’s more than capable of handling high-end mobile gaming. The Snapdragon chip effortlessly runs games like Genshin Impact at a steady 60 FPS, and if emulation is your thing, you’ll find it can manage up to GameCube and PlayStation 2 titles without a hitch. Of course, if your gaming plan leans heavily into Steam titles, the Steam Deck might offer better value unless you’re enhancing an existing PC handheld setup.

A true blend of nostalgia and tech advancements, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG boasts some impressive features for its size and cost. Besides its throwback design, it includes invisible trigger buttons, motion controls, and a right-hand touchpad, providing all necessary inputs for streaming games from your PC. The small analog stick is hall-effect too, helping prevent drifting issues seen in some rivals.

While an OLED might seem extravagant on such a compact display, it’s in good company. High-end competitors like the Analogue Pocket pack a punch with ultra-sharp 1440p LCD panels. Ayaneo opted for a 3.92-inch OLED screen, pushing out 1,240 x 1,080 resolution and covering 104% of the NTSC color gamut with brightness reaching up to 450 nits. With OLED’s low input latency, this setup is perfect for some retro gaming fun, though it won’t rival the bigger players for full-scale AAA titles.

Even with its form factor, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG doesn’t lag in the emulation and Android gaming department, featuring a premium feel. The beefier 12GB and 16GB RAM models may seem unnecessary for a non-PC device, but they do help tackle the challenging demands of modern mobile games and emulators. For the most bang for your buck, the base model is your best bet—adding an SD card when needed.

Connectivity is decent with USB 3.2 Gen 2 through a Type-C port, supporting up to 10 Gigabits throughput, alongside Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. Wired options may not impress, but Wi-Fi 7’s capability for 30 Gigabits per second is perfect for tasks like Steam Remote Play.

It’s important to remember that crowdfunding doesn’t guarantee a final product. Supporting a project is more like an investment; you’re showing faith in its potential success. It’s not the same as shopping for a ready-to-ship item.