Ayaneo has recently entered the crowdfunding arena on IndieGogo with the launch of its latest gadget, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG. This device, inspired by the classic GameBoy, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3X Gen 2 and features an OLED display. Its prices start at a competitive $339 for the base model, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. If you’re looking for something with more power, the premium version costs $499 and offers 16GB of RAM along with 512GB of storage. For those who appreciate nostalgia, there’s a Limited Edition “Retro Color” option at an Early Bird price of $589.
Given its price, the Snapdragon chip housed within is more than capable of delivering top-tier mobile gaming experiences. It can handle games like Genshin Impact at a steady 60 FPS and effortlessly run emulation for GameCube and PlayStation 2 consoles, even when set at higher internal resolutions. However, if you’re more interested in playing a broader range of games and don’t need a standout PC handheld companion, the Valve Steam Deck with its LCD screen might offer a more economical choice.
Moving beyond just the jaw-dropping specs and pricing, this handheld offers a wealth of features that make it a standout in its category. It comes equipped with cleverly hidden trigger buttons, optional motion controls, and a right-side touchpad, ensuring you have all the inputs necessary for a modern gaming experience. Streaming from your PC to the Ayaneo Pocket DMG is a breeze. Plus, its small analog stick is a hall-effect model, meaning it’s less likely to suffer from drift over time.
Some might argue that an OLED display on a screen of this size is excessive, but it’s important to compare it with other premium choices like the Analogue Pocket, which opts for a sharp 1440p LCD. The Ayaneo Pocket DMG, however, sports a 3.92-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 1,240 x 1,080, capable of displaying around 104% of the NTSC color gamut and reaching 450 nits of brightness. This, alongside the inherently low input latency of OLEDs, positions it as an outstanding partner for retro gaming. That said, it’s not competing with the likes of the Steam Deck OLED or hefty PC handhelds for AAA gaming.
When it comes to emulation and Android gaming, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG shines as a premium competitor, despite its compact size. While it seems excessive to equip a non-PC handheld with options for 12GB and 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM running at up to 8,533 MT/s, today’s mobile games and emulation can be quite demanding. Opting for the base model with the plan to supplement storage using an SD card offers the best value for money.
Moreover, it’s impressive to note that the Ayaneo Pocket DMG supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 through a Type-C connection, which can handle up to 10 Gigabits per second. It also boasts Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. While the wired options aren’t extraordinary, they are more than enough for transferring smaller games and other data. Support for Wi-Fi 7, with speeds reaching 30 Gigabits per second, is exceptional, especially for services like Steam Remote Play.
Before you rush to back this intriguing project, remember that contributing to a crowdfunding campaign doesn’t guarantee you a finished product. It’s more like an investment; you’re supporting a project you believe in, not purchasing something off the store shelf.
