Analogue Pocket Review: The Best Retro Handheld?

The popularity of retro handheld gaming seems to increase every year, with better and better mods becoming available for the likes of Game Boy consoles. But with an established reputation for creating amazing FPGA-based consoles, does the Analogue Pocket represent the pinnacle for the format?

While Analogue provided me with a Pocket and accessories at no charge for this review, no money changed hands and the opinions expressed here are purely my own. I have a strict policy against paid reviews or sponsored videos as my viewers' trust is of paramount importance.

----------------------------------------­-------------------------------------


Follow me on Twitter and Instagram! @thisdoesnotcomp

----------------------------------------­-------------------------------------

[PotatoFi]

This was one of those, "Drop everything I'm doing and click on the notification" videos. It answered every question I had about the console too - thanks for the great review!

[wimwiddershins]

Its refreshing to see a retro-gaming handheld where the software and user experience has had as much attention to detail, as the device itself. Usually, that stuff feels like an afterthought.

[malcolmar]

Well done. I just picked up a Pocket recently and loved it! I also got the Game Gear adapter and I am enjoying many Game Gear games I never knew existed before and the games just play. What an incredible time to be a portable gamer. My 3 go to portable systems now are the Analogue Pocket, the Nintendo Switch OLED and the Steam Deck. The fact that all 3 of these systems have docks that allow you to effortlessly play these games on a TV is just amazing. I know I take none of it for granted. Thanks.

[Tom]

USB C and headphone jack. When a retro console has more useful ports that a modern Smartphone.

[donwilson]

Very happy that you got a chance to review the Pocket early, looking forward to getting mine in the mail soon

[jackbootshamangaming]

Didn't know about the menu+volume for brightness, thanks a ton, just got my unit a few days ago and was rewatching this

[MrJonBertsch]

I love my modded consoles because they are truly “original” but with these new chips I’m finding it hard to put too much more money into them, this tech is just too good.

[SuperNicktendo]

Looking forward to this. Hopefully I got my order in to have it ship today and hopefully get it by the end of the week. It's such a crazy system.

[shatterball]

Another great video, Colin! I love my Super NT and I can't wait to get my hands on this piece of hardware! Hopefully I can get a pre-order in when they reopen it in a few days...

[NathanChisholm]

I find these videos put me in a calm relaxed mood! ✌

[joarnagaming]

Currently preparing to fight off an army of Scalper Bots when preorders open up again tomorrow...

[rekor]

Out of all the reviews I saw, I have to say this was the best. I think you went over the things that most of us care about without getting bogged down in pointless detail.

[TheRetroCount]

I just ordered one. Super excited to finally get my hands on it soon!

[jmerey]

Best review yet. You included several features that most others missed. Thanks, now just hope my preorder is in Group 1 and not Group 3!!

[reznoire]

The screen looks insane, like in video reviews it almost looks like game footage is just being directly edited onto where the screen would be lol

[megamix]

I'm glad to see you alive and well, and glad you got your hands on one of these babies. Good review btw, Colin!

[MmntechCa]

I understand why it's $220, being a low volume product and all, but it's a bit rich for my blood. I'll stick with original hardware supplemented with emulation for the time being. Might change my mind though if/when that hacked firmware comes out.

[woodengamer]

That is VERY tempting with it's modular system to support different systems. Tempted to get this and not bother re-capping my turbo express.

[sethmmendez]

Glad to see you got one for review! Have always enjoyed watching your modding videos.

[NatetheAceOfficial]

A Colin AND an Anthony video covering the same tech? Nice to see the different takes.