Analogue Pocket
FPGA-based handheld playing cartridges from Game Boy to sixth-generation consoles.
The Analogue Pocket is a handheld game console built by Analogue. It was first announced in October 2019 and hit the market on December 13, 2021. Instead of using software emulation, it relies on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chips to recreate the hardware of older handheld systems, allowing it to play games from consoles up to the sixth generation. The core of the device is an Altera Cyclone V FPGA, which can be reprogrammed to mimic original hardware almost exactly. A second Altera Cyclone 10 FPGA handles system management.
Right out of the box, the Pocket replicates the hardware of the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. A physical cartridge slot on the back accepts most Game Boy Game Pak titles. The FPGA can also be reconfigured to emulate the Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket/Pocket Color, Atari Lynx, and TurboGrafx-16. Separate adapters let you plug those consoles’ cartridges into the slot. Because the Sega Master System and Game Gear share nearly identical hardware, Master System cartridges can run through a third-party adapter or the official Game Gear adapter. For connectivity, the Pocket includes a microSD card slot and a USB-C port for charging its lithium-ion battery and connecting to the Analogue Dock, a proprietary docking station that adds wireless controller support and HDMI output.
The console was announced on October 16, 2019, but its release was delayed several times due to global chip shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally launched on December 13, 2021, in black and white. Since then, Analogue has added a glow-in-the-dark version (September 2023), transparent colors (October 2023), and models in classic Game Boy colors (November 2023). On July 15, 2024, all-aluminum models in white, black, gray, and indigo were released.
Software updates arrived after launch. The 1.1 update, originally planned for January 2022 but released in July of that year, introduced openFPGA—a framework allowing third-party developers to create FPGA simulation cores. It also added emulation for the PDP-1 computer (including the game Spacewar!), save states called “Memories,” and “Library” info cards for inserted cartridges. In December 2023, firmware updates 1.2 and 2.0 were released. Version 1.2 fixed sleep/wake and save state issues, improved adapter and FPGA compatibility, and let cores detect when the device is docked.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Analogue
- Release Date
- 2021-12-13
- Price
- US$199.99
- Os
- Analogue OS
- Cpu
- Altera Cyclone V · Altera Cyclone 10
- Display
- 3.5" backlit 1600x1440 LTPS LCD
- Connectivity
- 3.5 mm headphone jack, Game Boy link cable, MicroSD, USB-C (power and dock interface)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Analogue Pocket is designed around an Altera Cyclone V FPGA chip, which can be reprogrammed to mimic the hardware of various game consoles. Unlike an emulator, an FPGA can function nearly identically to the original hardware. The Pocket has a physical cartridge slot at the rear which accepts most Game Boy Game Pak titles. The FPGA can also be reprogrammed to replicate the Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket/Pocket Color, Atari Lynx, and TurboGrafx-16, with adapters (sold separately) allowing their cartridges to be plugged into the slot. Due to the near identical hardware of the Sega Master System and Game Gear, Master System cartridges can also be run via a third-party adapter. An additional Altera Cyclone 10 FPGA handles system management.
Release was delayed several times due to global chip shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pocket launched on December 13, 2021 in black and white colors. Since then, Analogue expanded the lineup with a glow-in-the-dark version in September 2023, transparent colors in October 2023, models in classic Game Boy colors in November 2023, and all-aluminium models in white, black, gray and indigo colors on July 15, 2024.
Post-release software updates introduced openFPGA in July 2022, a framework allowing third-party developers to develop FPGA simulation cores. This update introduced emulation for the PDP-1 computer with Spacewar!, along with save states and info cards. Firmware updates 1.2 and 2.0 in December 2023 addressed sleep/wake and save state issues, improved compatibility, and added custom color palettes for Game Boy games. Version 2.2 brought support for Lynx, TurboGrafx-16 and Neo Geo Pocket Color cartridge adapters.
Reader's Guide
The Analogue Pocket occupies a distinctive position in the handheld console market by using FPGA technology to achieve hardware-level accuracy rather than software emulation. Its ability to play original cartridges from multiple handheld platforms—Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket, Atari Lynx, and TurboGrafx-16—makes it a versatile device for retro game collections. The introduction of openFPGA in a 2022 firmware update expanded its utility by allowing third-party developers to create additional simulation cores, including for the PDP-1 computer. Reception noted the Pocket's high-quality screen, accurate hardware simulation, audio quality, and controls, while criticizing uneven weight distribution and the lack of clarity on add-on functionality. The Pocket won a Red Dot Design Award in 2022, was nominated for Wallpaper 2019 Design Awards, and received two Fast Company awards for Best Product Design of 2020 and Best Design Innovations of 2020 in North America. Its delayed release due to global chip shortages and subsequent multiple color variants reflect both supply challenges and sustained demand. The Analogue Dock accessory adds wireless controller support and HDMI output, extending its use to television play.
Did You Know?
- The Analogue Pocket uses an Altera Cyclone V FPGA chip that can be reprogrammed to mimic hardware of various consoles.
- Out of the box, it replicates Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance hardware.
- Firmware update 2.0 added custom color palettes for Game Boy games.
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