Ayaneo Releases Pocket DMG: A Powerful Retro Gaming Handheld Equipped With an OLED Display

Ayaneo Releases Pocket DMG: A Powerful Retro Gaming Handheld Equipped With an OLED Display

Highlights

  • The AYANEO Pocket DMG offers top-tier gaming performance in a modernized GameBoy design with an OLED display, appealing to retro gamers.
  • Featuring a Hall-Effect joystick, dual-mode touchpad, and 1080p OLED display, this handheld provides a crisp and detailed gaming experience.
  • Available for pre-order on Indiegogo, the Pocket DMG comes in different storage options starting at $340, with a retro colorway for an authentic vibe.

As a seasoned retro gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the AYANEO Pocket DMG has truly caught my attention. With its sleek design reminiscent of the classic GameBoy, yet boasting a modern OLED display and top-tier performance, it’s like a dream come true for us old-school gamers!


Many gamers are seeking a compact gaming experience in 2022, and devices like the Steam Deck OLED and ROG Ally X have garnered attention. However, lesser-known portable gaming companies may not be as prominent, but the AYANEO Pocket DMG is expected to buck this trend.

Although the AYANEO Pocket DMG isn’t the most stylish handheld released this year, it’s a contemporary take on the GameBoy featuring an OLED screen, making it a coveted item for many retro gamers. The resurgence of retro gaming is largely due to AYANEO, who are creating exceptional retro emulators that are not only visually appealing but also user-friendly, catering to both beginners and experienced emulator users alike.

Pocket DMG Features and Specs

Ayaneo Releases Pocket DMG: A Powerful Retro Gaming Handheld Equipped With an OLED Display

The Pocket DMG is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 SoC and promises top-tier gaming performance. This is the same SOC we saw in the AYANEO Pocket S, which competes reasonably well with the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. Because the Pocket S already had some issues with overheating in more intense games, we are not expecting the Pocket DMG to be a replacement for a Steam Deck. However, the performance is still outstanding for such a small form factor.

As a gamer, I’ve grown familiar with the standard D-Pad and action buttons setup. But the Pocket DMG brings something new to the table – a Hall-Effect joystick and a touchpad on its bottom face. This combo makes navigating menus a breeze, especially when the D-Pad can sometimes feel a bit frustrating in such situations.

Oddly enough, the Pocket DMG is not the only retro GameBoy emulator to offer an OLED display, but the Pocket DMG still stands out with this gorgeous display. With a 1080p resolution, the display measures 3.92 inches and has a pixel density of 419 PPI. This makes everything look crisp and detailed, and thanks to the 500 nits peak brightness, even in a reasonable amount of sunlight, you can easily see the game and appreciate the detail. However, because the aspect ratio is slightly different from the retro 4:3, some games look a bit weird.

Retro Colorway

Ayaneo Releases Pocket DMG: A Powerful Retro Gaming Handheld Equipped With an OLED Display

In the past, numerous retro emulators have adopted the GameBoy aesthetic, yet none have accomplished it quite like AYANEO did with the Pocket DMG. This portable device exudes a classic retro vibe, but it does so in a stylishly minimalist manner that’s tough to fault.

The black-and-white designs are lovely on their own, yet for a true retro vibe, the GB color palette truly captures the essence. The hue of the buttons and the beige/off-white casing closely resemble an original GameBoy, though it’s not exactly the same. However, you wouldn’t experience the fantastic OLED display if you were using a real GameBoy.

Pricing and Availability

Ayaneo Releases Pocket DMG: A Powerful Retro Gaming Handheld Equipped With an OLED Display

The Pocket DMG can be pre-ordered via Indiegogo, with expected delivery in October 2024. It offers three primary models, each with distinct storage and memory specifications: $340 for an 8 GB or 128 GB version, a $421 investment gets you 12 GB and 256 GB, while the top-tier model priced at $501 boasts 16 GB and 512 GB. If fortune favors you, the limited retro-colored edition, with only 31 remaining at the time of writing, features 16 GB RAM and a full terabyte of storage – more than sufficient for any avid retro gamer’s collection.

FAQ

Q: What is the screen ratio of the Ayaneo pocket DMG?

On the Pocket DMG, the screen has a 1:1 aspect ratio, meaning contemporary video games might appear slightly distorted, but classic handheld titles should fit nicely.

Q: Is AYANEO more powerful than Steam Deck?

The choice largely depends on the specific model you’re considering from AYANEO. While the Steam Deck generally outperforms the Pocket DMG in terms of modern games, the performance gap narrows significantly when compared to the AYANEO 2. This is true whether you’re playing modern AAA games or retro titles, and the comparison becomes much more balanced with the AYANEO 2.

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2024-08-10 23:13