My First Dive into Handheld Retro Gaming: The Analogue Pocket Experience

After hearing rumors of the analogue pocket being made, I fervently kept following the news surrounding, managing to buy while I was pacing at work in a tucked away corner hoping I would be able to snag the Analogue Pocket. As someone who grew up during the Game Boy era and never truly owning one due to strict parenting around Gameboys, I was excited to experience Gameboy nostalgia in a beautiful and crisp form factor.

First Impressions: Premium Build Quality

Right out of the box, the Analogue Pocket feels substantial. The aluminum construction gives it a premium weight that immediately sets it apart from the plastic handhelds of yesteryear. The 3.5-inch LCD screen is gorgeous—crisp, bright, and perfectly sized for extended gaming sessions. Unlike many retro handhelds that feel like toys, this one feels like a precision instrument.

The button layout is near-perfect. The D-pad has that satisfying click that Game Boy veterans will recognize, and the face buttons are responsive without being mushy. After hours of play, my hands never felt cramped or uncomfortable.

The Game Library: A Trip Down Memory Lane

What struck me most was how immediately engaging these classic games remain. I started with Golden Sun one of the only Gameboy Advances cartridges I still owned, and within minutes I was completely absorbed.

I’ve been working through my growing collection of Game Boy classics: Link’s Awakening, Super Mario Land, Metroid II. Each game feels like discovering a piece of gaming history I never experienced firsthand. The Pocket’s screen does these pixel art masterpieces justice in a way that modern phone screens simply can’t match.

More Than Just Game Boy

While I initially bought the Pocket primarily for Game Boy games, the additional console support has been a pleasant surprise. SNES titles look fantastic on the screen, and even Neo Geo Pocket games I’d never heard of have become favorites. The variety keeps every gaming session feeling fresh.

The openFPGA support opens up even more possibilities, though I’m still exploring what’s available in that ecosystem.

The Collector’s Dilemma

One unexpected side effect of owning the Pocket has been the urge to collect original cartridges. There’s something satisfying about sliding an authentic Game Boy cart into the system and knowing you’re playing exactly as intended decades ago. My wallet is less thrilled about this development, but building a small collection of genuine classics has become part of the fun.

Minor Gripes

The Pocket isn’t perfect. The price point is steep compared to other retro handhelds, and waiting for restocks can be frustrating. The lack of built-in games means you need to source your own ROMs or cartridges, which might be a barrier for some casual users.

Battery life is good ,expect 6-8 hours depending on what you’re playing and your screen brightness settings. One thing that definetely stans out amongst other retro handhelds is that the battery does not deplete charge like many devices over long periods of time. Having not touched it for several months the analogue pocket was at 16% battery and capable of playing Pokemon Puzzle Challenge.

Final Thoughts

The Analogue Pocket has opened up an entire world of gaming I never properly explored. These aren’t just nostalgic curiosities—they’re genuinely great games that hold up remarkably well today. The Pocket presents them in the best possible light with modern convenience and build quality.

If you’re on the fence about retro gaming or considering your first dedicated handheld, the Analogue Pocket is an excellent entry point. Yes, it’s an investment, but it’s one that pays dividends in pure gaming enjoyment.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with Earthbound that I really can’t put off any longer.