An Analogue Pocket Review (in 2024)

I picked up one of those fancy "highly limited" Analogue Pockets last week, so let's take a look at this new edition and assess what's changed with the handheld (and platform) over the past couple of years.

Previous Analog Pocket videos:

Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:02 what is the Analogue Pocket?
02:18 specs and pricing
04:04 unboxing and impressions
05:28 hardware testing
10:40 software experience
13:30 openFPGA cores
16:15 arcade games
18:20 computers and consoles
20:35 handheld systems
21:25 the dock is amazing
26:47 cases and other accessories
29:00 summary (likes and dislikes)
31:36 value vs competition
36:19 conclusion

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Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:

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This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.

#Analogue #FPGA #emulation #anbernic

[WedrawYT]

How to make an alalogue pocket a business expense

[Muench]

Thanks Russ. Have always been a fan of your videos because you return to the hardware after an extended period with an updated perspective.

[helbert_pina]

"Pocket Sync" on macOS works beautifully and has a very polished graphical user interface.

[FoxbatStargazer]

Frame Blending is an option buried in the display settings, that is what is making the ghosting. You can disable that directly instead of switching to the CRT filter.

The CRT filter does not feature BFI, its just using fine scanlines and a shadow mask that darkens the picture. You can also play with the size/integer+ to reduce the black borders.

[smashpro]

Another accessory I'd like to call attention to is called the Analogizer. It is like the dock, but allows you to connect to an analog video device like a CRT, and SNAC adapters that are also compatible with MiSTer to use original console controllers on it.

[jimmyhazard]

It's funny that you mention the UI. I myself am a 20-year veteran of design and UI and I actually really really like it. I understand that it's simple and not flashy like other ones, but there's something about that old school just text charm that wins me over.

[StoneRiverMN]

While I LOVE the emulation devices, there is just something nostalgic and special about using physical cartridges. As a result I also love the Analogue Pocket very much.

[kibuigurei]

I already have an analogue pocket, but I just couldn’t justify buying another one, no matter how much I like the yellow.

[klickeldiklick]

Shipping to EU Germany is about 50$, add a dock and it is about 60$, ad a link cable and it is 80$. Then add 19% taxes to the total costs (items + shipping) and some fee for collecting the tax and it is way above 320$ just for one regular Analogue Pocket. I don't mind the price tag of the Pocket, I think it is worth every penny, but after shipping and taxes it just hurts. I already have a Pocket but I'd like to have the cables and a dock. But the dock alone (without the Pocket!!) is 59.99$ in shipping! I think my next Analogue order will be the Analogue 3D or a landscape Analoge "GBA" Pocket.

[Watameln]

Finally a device I don't have the slightest itch to pull the trigger. I'm glad they are succesful, because the more competition the better it is for all of us, but I really don't understand the appeal at this high price point.

[nobody.watchin]

This product isn't for everyone, but for retro enthusiasts who want accurate emulation the value is definitely there

I am genuinely blown away by the look and feels of playing games on FPGA cores, it's that subtle difference in timing that makes it so much better than any other emulation device. Whether you're playing gameboy, console, arcade, or even game&watch on this thing there is hands-down nothing to compare it with.

The market is full of android -based software emulator devices, but this 100% is in it's own league

When I loaded up Galaga or even Super Mario World, I could instantly tell that it felt right as someone who has played extensively on original hardware.

If you know, you know. If you don't know, go ahead and emulate via software as that is "close enough" for most folks.

Is it expensive? Yes.
As a die-hard retro fan is it worth it? Absolutely.

People complaining about the price of this thing are just not the right market for it.

[FiftyFive]

I use a rumble kart as the dust cover for the cartridge slot. Might as well use it for something functional.

[kaibaborp]

I support this company in anyway man. Their pricing model is so dogshit and limited drops is such a scummy thing to do now a days that, I could care less about how great this thing is, there is just no way its worth the price. I would KILL to have the teal version of this, but even if it was at a huge discount I would absolutely pass. Knowing they still are part of this miserable practice when there is so much more innovation happening the in the handheld space its just such a bad look that unfortunately, many people with expendable money could care less about sigh

[FiftyFive]

Other than the gray dev unit, the White is the only one with a non-black bezel. The black bezel on the other colors make it seem like the screen is pretty big until you turn it on.

[dannonyogurt]

If the normal analog pocket had stayed in stock the entire time they were releasing limited editions I don't think anyone would care. The problem is they were releasing expensive limited editions while scalpers were fleecing people on eBay.

[Deshayzilla]

The dock supports certain 2.4 GHz 8bitdo controllers without needing a USB dongle. You do have to install a firmware from 8bitdo's website but it works great!

[IAmTheGlovenor]

The fact they couldn't even ship it with firmware at least from this year says a lot about this company

[RobinJakobsson]

Thanks for the review. That cartridge slack is a really interesting design choice. Also the sharp front edge.

[luuensw]

I'm so glad I missed out on my every attempt to buy one of these lol. I was really tempted on some colours because the Gameboy is my favourite handheld, but it is just way too expensive even as a collector. I'd rather just own the original hardware or spend that money on a handheld pc that is way more powerful and versatile.

[wansti]

34:10 - I just love how Earthworm Jim reacts to you saying "quite a bit bigger" 😂If you did that on purpose, masterfully done!