The Analogue Pocket - a retro handheld gaming device for classic Nintendo titles - sold out almost instantly when pre-orders launched this week, but a second batch is coming later. Handheld gaming, while still a popular choice for many, doesn’t receive the focus it did in the 1990s and early 2000s, when there were several major handhelds on the market. From the Gameboy series to the modern Switch, Nintendo has worn the handheld gaming crown for decades, succeeding where its competitors have struggled to gain a foothold.
Despite Nintendo’s dominance in the niche, other companies continue to take stabs at portable gaming. Sony’s PSP and PS Vita, and Alienware’s Concept UFO are all at least partially inspired by Nintendo’s handheld success. As Nintendo continues to keep handheld gaming relevant, nostalgia has begun sweeping through the industry, sparking the resurgence of more old-school systems, some with modern twists.
The latest throwback to old-school handheld systems comes in the form of the Analogue Pocket, which sold out within 15 minutes of becoming available for pre-order, according to Nintendo Life. Analogue plans to produce a second batch, however, and fans can sign up for notifications that will inform them when the device becomes available again. Fans will also be able to pre-order accessories for the portable system, including adapters for Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket, and Atari Lynx games.
The Analogue Pocket is designed to be compatible with thousands of titles developed for Gameboy, Gameboy Color, and Gameboy Advance. It features an LCD screen created to improve the image quality of the older games. However, unlike the original systems that inspired Analogue’s new handheld, the Analogue Pocket possesses a rechargeable battery with a USB-C slot, meaning fans won’t have to go through the hassle of replacing batteries like they did with the Gameboy and Gameboy Color.
Veteran gamers should be enthused about the Analogue Pocket. For collectors who went through the trouble of acquiring or maintaining their archaic games from decades past, being able to relive those memories will spark waves of nostalgia. Every adult has at least one moment in their life when they wish they could feel like a kid again, and retro devices such as the Analogue Pocket give gamers the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Even if the Analogue Pocket isn’t an uproarious financial success – which is unlikely given the speed with which its first batch sold out – it will still offer the benefit of helping old titles survive. If nothing else, retro games and systems serve as a reminder for how far technology and the gaming industry has come. Not everything has to be a game changer, but when a company can be innovative with the past, it’s sure to bring it a wealth of attention, in this case especially from fans of the Nintendo Gameboy systems.
Source: Nintendo Life