Review · Tech & gadgets
Analogue Pocket review
FPGA handheld that plays original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges on a 3.5-inch 1600x1440 screen.
By the DBotMaker research desk · Updated November 12, 2026
- Capabilities (40%)
- 8.6
- Ease of setup (30%)
- 9.0
- Value (30%)
- 7.9
The Analogue Pocket is the pick for collectors because it is the only device here built to play original cartridges. Analogue says it is compatible out of the box with the 2,780+ game Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridge library, and it is engineered in two FPGAs with no emulation. Cartridge adapters cover Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket and Neo Geo Pocket Color, Atari Lynx and TurboGrafx-16 games. The 3.5-inch LCD has a 1600x1440 resolution at 615ppi, which Analogue says is 10x the resolution of an original Game Boy, and Original Display Modes recreate the look of the original screens. Analogue lists a 4300mAh battery with 6 to 10 hours of play, a micro SD card slot, USB-C charging and an original-style link port. The openFPGA platform lets third-party developers add more. The limit is that it suits players who own cartridges. We compared documented features and published prices only.
Who it is for
Collectors who want to play their original cartridges
Price
$239.99 one-time.
Analogue Pocket $239.99 Available now
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.
Key features
- Plays original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges, a library of 2,780+ games per Analogue
- Engineered in two FPGAs with no emulation
- 3.5-inch 1600x1440 LCD at 615ppi with Gorilla Glass
- Original Display Modes that recreate original GB, GBC and GBA screens
- 4300mAh battery with 6 to 10 hours of play, micro SD card slot and USB-C charging
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Only device on this list that plays original cartridges in hardware
- Strength: Highest pixel density on this list at 615ppi
- Strength: Analogue Dock connects it to a TV with up to 4 player controller support
- Weakness: You need your own cartridges for Game Boy family games
- Weakness: Other handheld systems need separate cartridge adapters
- Weakness: Costs more than the Retroid Pocket 5 and Anbernic RG556 Android handhelds
Key facts
- Price: $239.99
- Hardware: Two FPGAs, no emulation
- Screen: 3.5-inch LCD, 1600x1440, 615ppi
- Battery: 4300mAh, 6 to 10 hours of play
- Storage: micro SD card slot
Where it ranks
Analogue Pocket is No. 4 in our Best Retro Handheld Consoles verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit analogue.co · Questions or corrections: editorial@dbotmaker.io