Ayaneo is making waves with its latest project, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG. This intriguing device, boasting the power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3X Gen 2, is now available for early-backers on IndieGogo. Channeling the classic GameBoy design but with a modern twist, its entry-level model is attractively priced at $339 USD, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. For those seeking more robust performance, there’s a higher-end version available for $499, which ups the ante with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. And for true nostalgia seekers, the Limited Edition “Retro Color” is part of the lineup, coming in at $589 during the Early Bird phase.
At these price points, the device impresses with its ability to handle high-end mobile gaming. It runs games like Genshin Impact smoothly at 60 FPS and doesn’t shy away from demanding tasks like emulating GameCube and PlayStation 2 games. This makes it a serious contender in the market, even with Valve’s Steam Deck offering a wider game library for budget-conscious gamers already invested in PC handhelds.
Beyond the basic specs and pricing, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG is surprisingly comprehensive for its category. It comes equipped with hidden trigger buttons alongside standard shoulder ones, optional motion controls, and a right-side touchpad. These features make it well-suited for modern gaming experiences, especially if you’re streaming games from your PC. Its analog stick, though compact, is crafted with hall-effect technology to resist the dreaded stick drift over time.
The OLED screen, rich in color and brightness, measures at 3.92 inches with a resolution of 1,240 x 1,080. It boasts an impressive 104% of the NTSC color gamut and shines up to 450 nits, offering low input latency perfect for retro gaming. While it won’t replace high-powered options like the Steam Deck OLED for AAA titles, it serves its niche remarkably well.
For enthusiasts of emulation and Android games, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG presents itself as a premium option, despite its compact design. While some may find the 12GB and 16GB RAM models excessive for a non-PC handheld, the increasing demands of modern mobile gaming justify these choices to an extent. However, for the best value, the entry-level option seems ideal, especially if paired with additional storage via an SD card.
Connectivity-wise, the device incorporates USB 3.2 Gen 2 through a Type-C port with a data transfer rate of up to 10 Gigabits per second. Coupled with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, it provides solid wireless options, crucial for efficient Steam Remote Play, despite more modest wired capabilities.
As with any crowdfunding endeavor, keep in mind that backing the Ayaneo Pocket DMG is an investment in a vision, not a guarantee of a final retail product. Supporting such projects is about trust and expectation in their success and delivery.
