Analogue Pocket 2! What it Needs and What I'd Love to See

[@H6rdc0re]

OLED, OLED, OLED, horizontal design and a bigger FPGA.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

That’ll do the trick!

[@Darkmetamorphosis1]

Hall effect too

[@wagneralmeida5150]

I'd love to see a premium LED instead of an OLED... Mura and burn-in get on my nerves. As a retro sports game enthusiast, screen uniformity is more important to me than inky blacks. Hope they give us the choice

[@shibbybypass5028]

I trust Taki more than analogue to give us something amazing in the handheld space.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

But why not both!

[@bearonguitar]

I'd love to see a horizontal format with better controls and PS1, Saturn and N64 support. I don't care if it's pocket friendly, as I'd never carry a handheld in my pockets anyways, but rather have it stored in a travel case inside my backpack.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes I don’t think anyone has ever really carried around a Pocket in their pocket

[@SevenlivesDesigns]

My issue is mostly with the dock. Whatever happened to that road map list of features? I'd love to see more controller compatibility and hardware level button mapping. The option is there but grayed out.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

There’s so many features promised and yet delivered on. Sooo many

[@Nakoruru87]

just bought myself a mister fpga I’m excited to build it

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Building it is half the fun

[@richarddukard8989]

Half the fun is building it, half is finding the games, and the other half is playing it!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

The perfect percentage

[@kdkseven]

​@@richarddukard8989it's a win, win... win!

[@arbbo1675]

Form factor/d-pad/screen size/dual analog sticks like a PS Vita, more quantities available to avoid scalping, official dock with analog output support

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Vita was a great layout.

[@DaRoblin]

For the folks that can't decide between vertical and horizontal screen orientations, please remember that the Wonderswan proves you can do all 3. It would be a design miracle to get a pocket 2 to do that comfortably due to weight, but, as the target market we should want for the moon and hope they deliver as much of it as possible.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Lynx too!

[@DaRoblin]

Oh, didn't know there were diagonal lynx games. I gotta try one one day.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I think Lynx did the dual format first? I can’t think of anything earlier

[@DaRoblin]

Did any lynx games use the third format like Wonderswan's Rhyme Rider Kerorikan?

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Not that I remember

[@Ragesauce]

I'd want the REAL pocket size. The screen they currently have would fit, it would just need to somehow be scaled down. The whole idea was for this thing to be portable and it "is" but you can't even find a decent case for it. I'd also like to see a rework of the shoulder buttons, and with pocket able to play PS having R2 and L2 would be great, I have my own idea of how that could be achieved but i'd like to see what they come up with. SO if they were to re-do it, i'd like to see them attempt a real gameboy pocket clone 1:1 size and this time, have the glass and bottom battery cover FLUSH with the front plastic. Speaking of plastic, I'd like to see them move away from whatever cheapness they chose for the first line of pockets and get something as durable as the real gameboys. If an LED can bleed through it, the plastic is way too cheap/thin for such a bulky thing, I'm afraid to sneeze in the pocket's general direction the plastic is so frail.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

The plastics def haven’t held up as well as people would have hoped

[@Fattydeposit]

Give me a rotatable 4:3 display similar to the Taito Egret Mini 2 please. Golden age arcade games deserve respect.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Would be fun to see but those mechanisms can’t be easy to engineer

[@simon41978]

You could always TATE a 50'' LCD TV on a mount like I did. Plus, get a TINK 4K for scanlines and BFI. Expensive, I know.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Just a couple bucks

[@Galgomite]

I rarely use mine, biggest reason is that it isn’t super comfortable. A bigger device all around, dual analogue and yeah, horizontal design would probably be best.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It’s def a reason why I don’t use it for as long as I’d like

[@kevinf2757]

I haven't touched my Pocket in so long and noticed the thing cracked (I have a transparent orange one)! I heard they will replace it so I gotta do that. I think I'm done with Analog after this though tbh. I bought the dock anticipating that I would be able to connect it to my PVM one day but doesn't seem like that's going to happen ever. Also I bought an Anbernic RGCube and the dpad on this thing makes it hard to go back to the Pocket even with its more accurate emulation. I actually liked the Pocket dpad prior to this but I'm just better at games on the RGCube.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

The transparent models love to crack. Has happened to a lot of people

[@Lock2002ful]

Wanted one since release, haven’t gotten around to getting one because they were either sold out, I had no money over or the currency where I’m wrong got weak af. At this point I might as well wait and hope for an upgrade. I’d love an oled screen and a OG Gba form factor and from what I’ve read better overall build quality is needed for all components. I’ll be getting the N64 system when it releases no matter the cost cause while I can see Analogue doing the Pocket for forever, I don’t see that happening for the n64 system. Also really should get their pc engine console..

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Can always go the MiSTer route too for N64

[@simon41978]

I only have a GBA so I'm by no means a handheld gamer. I regret not buying a new PSP from PlayAsia when they were almost giving them away. But, my mentality was always either/or due to lack of funds. Either I buy that PS3 game I want or a PSP. And, I always picked the PS3. I agree that a Saturn d-pad and buttons and landscape screen position would be great. And, Analogue should make more units than they usually do so people can get one.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Should def get a PSP. Such a good system

[@urbanknish]

Note: Analogue sold the Pocket as a handheld emulation device. On it's own, it can do Gameboy/Color/Advanced and with adapters Gamegear and PCE/Turbografx. Having a Pocket 2 (or whatever they call it) would likely be more about "nice to haves" like a landscape layout, bigger screen and thumbsticks. Having a more power FPGA chipset doesn't match the stated purpose of the device beyond the wink-and-nod cores. Unless they sold it as a hardware emulation device. Seems like avoiding that means avoiding legal issues.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I see no issue with upping the FPGA. Once a MiSTer handheld exists that means a lot of Analogue’s market is going to want to go to MiSTer since it’s “same product, better feature set”

[@urbanknish]

@@VideoGameEsoterica I hope you are right about the more powerful FPGA chipset. When the MiSTer handheld does come out, I'm assuming the maker/DIY community will go nuts and will be making all kinds of cool layouts for it with different control schemes. Exciting times ahead!!! Will Analogue up it's game or become obsolete??? PS I agree that upgraded Analogue guts in an Anbernic RG-ARC would be the chef's kiss. But with a pair of analog thumbsticks.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Exactly. Analogue will have to answer to a MiSTer handheld I think

[@Robert-G]

the thing with the dac is complicated. I don’t want analog outputs, but once the DAC works, then tink4k can fake it to get hdmi without scaling. the only reason, I have to have different profiles for arcade, neo geo, snes, amiga,… is because the freaking dock scales on its own, which I have to undo to make the tink4k magic happen. if they just added that 1:1 hdmi output, I’d be happy already. And I’m sure I’m not the only one

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes it would be nice just to have a passthrough mode

[@NerdENerd]

I am more interested in what Taki Udon comes out with for handheld. A dockable handheld MiSTer would the the real business.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I think that’s what most people are excited for

[@anbernicguy]

Same OLED, touchscreen, front camera, 6 button format, more cores, powerful chipset and cheaper price.

[@kdkseven]

Analogue Pocket 2 with a larger FPGA, GBA style horizontal layout and a wide screen-- i'll be there with my credit card day one.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

We all would!

[@anbernicguy]

I want to see a 6 button layout, analog sticks, cheaper price and a PSX, N64, Saturn, DC and GC core.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

lol you won’t getting all that at a lower price

[@cjd82187]

I enjoy my pocket, but use my Mister quite a bit more on my CRT now. Pretty much only use my pocket for pocket hand helds, although I did play a bit of SNES too, but mostly GB / GBA / Game Gear. Honestly, a V2 would have to be complete parity with Mister (including CRT support) for me to buy one. I'll consider the handheld that Taki is working on first though, since it will probably be much cheaper.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I play plenty of Pocket on the couch while my wife watches tv. Thats my big use case

[@cjd82187]

@@VideoGameEsoterica Yeah mine is used on my commute often. Also one of my kids was obsessed with watching me play aria of sorrows while putting him to bed for a while, it was actually kinda cute lol.

[@Djerique]

Pocket GBA

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Exactly what I want

[@Cruxics]

Well not sure I care about N64, PSX, Saturn support on a pocket 2, but I wouldn't complain about it for sure. I love my pocket, docking it has made it a worlds better experience vs playing these games back on the original gameboy, etc. It's nice when I'm not using the superNT or my original SNES to have a version of a game I'm chipping away at, either something I haven't played before or something I have like ALttP. There are some things I hate about the damned thing that I'd see improved on a new model. I'm in full agreement over the layout being landscape (horizontal) instead of portrait. Never understood that layout on the GB, GBC, GBASP. Analogue's approach seemed rooted in nostalgia, not reality. Button layout update would be nice, along with extra shoulder buttons and two analog nubs. Dock redesign is an absolute must. The dock is one of my favourite features, but also one of my most loathed. I ultimately ended up shucking their dock and 3D printing my own. Needs more improvements, but still better than the official dock. I'd also have them do something about the cartridge slot. I know many are dumping roms to the device, but I do still use the carts. Unless I'm on a trip where I don't have access to a bag full of games. At home, when I'm walking about etc, and it is in my pocket. The cart has been known to waggle itself loose, just a nudge causes an error. Thankfully I save states frequently, but It's irritating when I forget to and put the unit to sleep, only to find an hour or mores progress lost. This is more so an issue for GB/GBC than anything else, as the unit seemed to have GBA in mind, but even GBA cartridges aren't safe from this oversight. Even the adapters have been hit with it at times. Another absolute must is OLED. I've on more than one occasion busted out my GBC with IPS OLED and my GBA IPS OLED to use instead, even though the screen is smaller. I know the analogue is capable of outperforming a mod, but as those get better and even evolve into FPGA projects like the ones from retro game repair. It's going to start cutting into the Analogue Pocket market for anyone not in need of an all in one device.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Horizontal is key and how I wish we could get six buttons

[@Ravenna_Black]

More power and a different form factor. I have nostalgia for the DMG and GBC style of handheld but by no means do I think it's the pinnacle of comfort. I would prefer a GBA style sized up a bit. That would get me interested.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I think everyone wants that horizontal form factor

[@chibisf4]

I believe that they have reached their limit in terms of engineering. You can also see it in the many delays. They would need a bigger team, but that probably won't pay off.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I mean they always sell out of their hardware. They can’t be doing that badly

[@Metaljedd]

Portables and controller manufacturers need to start cloning the Neo Geo Pocket D-Pad. Honestly the best D-Pad ever made. Feels like newer age d-pads are cheap junk that like to send an up command when swapping from left to right

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It is the best d pad to ever exist

[@Metaljedd]

@VideoGameEsoterica The Saturn pad with the dual analog, 4 shoulder buttons and a NGPC style D-Pad might be too powerful of a controller to exist and I wish I could convince a manufacturer to give it a shot. It'd work for just about every console configuration imaginable haha.

[@micThurrr]

they need to make the layout exactly like the atari lynx for TATE MODE.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Would be fun to see

[@METR0lD]

Is that two Analogues in my pocket, or am I really *reeeeeaaallly* happy to see you!?

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I’m packing a Steam Deck

[@METR0lD]

Now I'm packing an OG PS5.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

A deformed monstrosity nobody liked? Sounds about right

[@METR0lD]

...you're right, nobody likes it! 😭

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

🤣

[@Nuevo_El_Nagual]

100% agreed 👍

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Let’s hope they make a 2

[@robertpeacock894]

If they made an Analogue Pocket you’ve gotta imagine it’s $500 at the very least. If there was one I’d love it be still based on future handheld devices. Aka the first went to GBA, so the Pocket 2 should be either a DS or PSP styles console. I don’t know if FPGA PSP or DS is a thing yet though.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

No there is no PSP core. DS quasi exists but not really

[@robertpeacock894]

@@VideoGameEsotericaif that’s the case I really would just like a premium model to this already premium product. Stronger internally, and OLED screens. Just small changes that allow it to future proof itself and be the model for people like me who are willing to spend $550 or so on something that more so an upgrade.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

My guess is analogue will do something because the upcoming MiSTer handheld kind of forces their hand

[@jmssun]

Giant heat sink at the back and side

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Pocket does get a bit toasty

[@jessiewonka]

Two models: one larger, one smaller.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Could be an interesting concept

[@utumwisho8576]

hello, whats is the game where u was playing "maria", it looks like a castlevania but not sure.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

In this vid?

[@utumwisho8576]

@@VideoGameEsoterica yes at 7:15

[@Nakoruru87]

@@utumwisho8576 probably symphony the night on the saturn

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Ooh yes SotN on Saturn

[@utumwisho8576]

@@VideoGameEsoterica @Nakoruru87 ty so much guys

[@seanthiem1176]

when it emulates saturn and the sharp and nec pc's im in

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It would be nice to have a new pocket that could do the 3D stuff

[@Riz2336]

Stronger fpga, more affordable price point

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I don’t think you’d see both at the same time

[@mrmostlyharmless]

Software is perfect for me but want a better and bigger D-pad and buttons.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

The D pad isn’t a winner

[@mrmostlyharmless]

@@VideoGameEsoterica ​​⁠​​⁠And those buttons are so tiny even kids likely curse them

[@wilfredynunez5263]

I just want one in a Horizontal GBA format. The vertical GB orientation is cool, but just not made for my hands.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes horizontal is a lot more comfortable for long term play IMO

[@fastrack2170]

Analogue pocket 2- $1000 per unit. P.S. i love my Transparent Red Pocket

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I saw even more special editions coming

[@Teleportoro]

Pocket 2? Should be named Analogue Advance as a horizontal format of GBA I feel like Analogue is ending the Pocket life cycle and eventually it will be EOL for Pocket by this year. Maybe a Final Limited Run ans thats it. For Future, maybe a OLED Analogue Advance. But to be honest the current pocket screen is Phenomenally good! Black are already looking true black to my eyes. Kinda feel like oled already. Also these are retro games. So oled is overkill but still it will be nice if oled is considered for next Gen Analogue Advance.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Great name. Love it

[@Teleportoro]

@@VideoGameEsoterica I'm calling it! 10.16.25 Analogue Advance Announcement

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha so specific

[@NerdyOutdoorVeteran]

You’re not going to get an upgraded Pocket that can play N64 and above. It would undermine their entire product line because you can just dock it and get the same experience as their console.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

You will eventually. Just not now

[@cheater00]

The pocket's UI is absolutely atrocious. I have no idea how kevtris thought that was a good idea, but knowing him we're lucky it's not a vcr menu, the guy has absolutely no eye for graphics or usability. Also the save states are useless. Waiting for multiple seconds for a state load or save is just ludicrous. The face buttons are just too small

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I really don’t care much for UIs being fancy but I know that’s not the popular thinking

[@cheater00]

@@VideoGameEsoterica fancy is a far cry, let's start with useable, which the analogue pocket UI isn't

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

@cheater00 it’s not pretty but I would say it’s useable

[@Tacos-oz6vx]

A new UI would be cool to just polish everything up with artwork, but being able to play more like a mister would just be amazing. Oh and I would love if analogue would make more cart adapters for standard systems I want a super NT but ya not off eBay maybe a better dock with multi cart ports 🤷‍♂️.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I’m surprised they don’t make more runs of the consoles. People want them

[@Darkmetamorphosis1]

Easy, needs horizontal setup, 7.5 inch oled screen, 6200mah battery, hall effect sticks, full ps2 and GameCube support

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

There aren’t even cores for PS2 or GameCube so you’d be talking emulation which really isn’t the goal

[@hpickettz34]

I don't like the analogue pocket.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

That’s fair haha. You don’t have to