AYANEO Pocket DMG: Game Boy for Adults

[@RetroGameCorps]

Yep, it’s a long one. The price point and build quality warranted the deeper dive.

[@portnaluinge]

Two snacks and two drinks then? Great!

[@droghaden]

This may warrant a whole meal while watching!

[@ryansmith2493]

Love it! Thank you for all your hard work Russ!

[@TODAYWEARETALKINGABOUT]

Can you do another recommendation video but for people who either are vertical users or horizontal as I seen you talk about both and I'm happy with sp for vertical handheld like gba But I'm unsure what's a good horizontal suggestion between Linux devices or the android ones

[@xxGSII]

Ive seen 15+ review videos for this device… Yours is the ONLY one that informs potential buyers

[@vkjfsdg]

Saw the price and that's it.

[@JamesTheAce]

Same. They’re insane

[@MaKi-e3h]

All that gizmo to get to play some shooter slightly better? Naah, I pass too. I don't get why would anyone play shooters on a console in first place. And if you want to play on portable PC, get a mouse. Aiming becomes 20 times easier.

[@JamesTheAce]

@ I’ve always played shooters on a controller but I would never play a shooter on a ROG ALLY or this expensive crap

[@dunce_cap]

Yeah, this is bonkers. Who do they imagine this is for?

[@visualbreeze]

Comically passable price, no thanks lmao

[@beeseechurger]

I certainly thought it was gonna be “high” at 150 or 200, like the analogue. That’s actual insanity.

[@rushtime3331]

They purposefully put an overpowered chip in it to inflate the price. The DMG aims at a very niche market, if it comes with sd865 at 200 no way they can make the money back. For people that can spare an additional 150 bucks, the extra power can be useful at times though. 😂

[@beeseechurger]

@ oh for sure. Theres no reason to actually play anything high-power on it since it’s only got one stick, and it’s not worth it to play anything lower end because you spent 500$ on it lol

[@TheOgreChef]

I literally said out loud on the intro, “if it’s in the 250 range, that would be high, but not too bad” … 10 seconds later, “$500!?”

[@Threewlz]

at that price point just get a gabe boy you know

[@beeseechurger]

@ I too, love the gabe boy

[@ZaneH1]

Am I in the market for another handheld? No. Am I still going to watch this video because I love Russ' videos? Yes. Edit: HOLY that's expensive LOL.

[@zeframmann1641]

Right? Forget a Steamdeck, you can get an Odin 2 AND a 406V for the price of even a midrange A-DMG..

[@legendarymoji]

Yeah man, I wanna do it.

[@tdebug1]

No offence, but I guess it’s ok to stop offering that snack and drink already :-D

[@otakon17]

Jeeze, for that price I might as well get a Steamdeck.

[@suhtangwong]

But it doesn't have ayneo brand logo 😢

[@benreed4957]

Jeeze, at that size might as well get a steamdeck

[@TCharlieA]

It's a radically different device. I mean yeah the steam deck is a better value but they really aren't substitutes for each other.

[@Butterfingers1989]

@@TCharlieA RetroArch on a steamdeck makes it an amazing retro machine. So you might as well go for that.

[@JayE-e2q]

@@Butterfingers1989 I would if it wasn’t bigger than my pc & monitor combined

[@BrandonTweed]

Fantastic review, and so detailed! But I've not seen a single review for this thing addressing the missing headphone jack.

[@NandR]

If you $500 for a handheld game then you can buy Bluetooth headphones.

[@LutraLovegood]

@@NandR That's not the point.

[@loading...4091]

@@NandR By the same token, if I'm paying $500 for a device, it should include a basic, useful feature that's been the norm for over 30 years.

[@NandR]

@ like a tape deck? Or a spinning hard disk?

[@BrandonTweed]

@@NandR Bluetooth headphones have issues with latency, which is why all other retro gaming devices have a standard headphone jack.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

I think the early bird base price is fair as it’s almost priced the same as the Odin 2 but them jacking the price up after launch and locking the retro color behind the most premium option is just shady to me and makes me not want to buy anything from the company. Little anti-consumer things like that really rub me the wrong way.

[@GangityBirdity]

Agreed for sure

[@zeframmann1641]

Seconded.

[@zwenkwiel816]

Yeah obviously you'll want the DMG color scheme and they lock it to the most expensive version?! That's just greedy...

[@TropospherePixels]

Given the screen size, the screen aspect ratio, only one physical stick placed on the low left side -> Most games beyond Nintendo64 aren’t great experiences. PS2 without two physical sticks is often not fun. PSP, NDS, 3DS on a square-ish small screen is horrible, etc. This device is more like an ultra premium version of the Miyoo Mini+ or TriumUI Brick. Decent step up in quality at a brutal 10x the price.

[@ThomasZElliott]

Finally a fully fledged review on this! Thank you for your effort on this review, I have been severely wondering and tempted by this thing and frankly still am (I think im the niche it fits, although not the most expensive model.. wow).

[@CaptainCiph3r]

Finally, Game Man.

[@uncookednoodles8775]

I'm gonna be game retiree by the time I can afford that lmao

[@adinwalls]

Haha. Yes!

[@Eiol01]

​@@uncookednoodles8775 Game deceased lol

[@legendarymoji]

That’s flipping hilarious

[@mattb6522]

Good video, Russ! I remember having the same experience as a kid in the early '90s. I had friends and cousins that let me sometimes borrow their GameBoy and Game Gear. The ability to play video games anywhere was pretty revolutionary for the time. It still boggles my mind that you can play almost anything now on a portable gaming device with little hassle!

[@neonfuture9093]

It looks cool, but I wish it wasn’t so expensive 😭

[@appltron1827]

Avg reaction to every ayaneo product:

[@allan201arp6]

Tbh, this is like a cry once and be done type purchase, why would need something else if you have this one?

[@ryaneaton2724]

Yep esp when a PS5 Slim was £305 during Black Friday.

[@nikolalaleta1534]

You can get an anbernic 40xx v for

[@zosonte129]

No, buy once cry once applies to things like a PC handheld or Odin/Retroid handhelds. This is completely excess for its general use case.

[@coopergreen4049]

There is no use case to justify that price point. Insane Great video tho :D

[@MonoDree]

i dont think anyone can justify it. it comes down to personal value. i want this device more than the steam deck

[@Beastw1ck]

Seriously. Just get a cheaper vertical handheld plus a Steam Deck and call it a day.

[@CalaTec]

@@MonoDree For me price worth is given by specs and features. this device costs double it's real value. Of course you can still buy it, but you are promoting bad value products and aggressive pricing.

[@MonoDree]

@@CalaTec i aint promoting nothing, things like this has been happening for centuries. just because you don't find value in it, doesn't mean others shouldn't too. I and probably many others have never spent a lot of money on one thing simply for enjoyment more than practicality before, this is a first for me. i want this because i know i will have a ton of fun with it. who are you to say i shouldn't buy that under my own discretion? There are already cheaper options out there and there will be more in the future. this is not effecting anything drastically enough.

[@CalaTec]

@@MonoDree you like it or not you are promoting or discouraging depending on where you put your money. You don't have to accept what I'm saying but it works that way.

[@retro_rat90]

The money is insanity and the size and premium feel of it are out of the question $200-$250 ago. You could get a ROG Ally or a Steam Deck for that money, and if they follow your tutorials, it can do an awful lot more than this.

[@yummyananas]

Form factor.

[@ZeroAlligator]

Form factor != +$200

[@yummyananas]

@@ZeroAlligator Except it does? I have a Steam Deck, a Switch and a gaming PC. I cannot play on the Deck for extended periods of time because of its weight. The Switch cannot play older Pokémon because Nintendo Online is still barren. I cannot bring my PC on my commute. This delivers power to emulate everything while also being extremely portable. I am also a cost-conscious shopper (I have an iPhone SE Gen 2 with a cracked screen), but I see the value here. This is an expensive device, not an overpriced one.

[@retro_rat90]

@@yummyananas you can do all that on a Retroid for cheaper.

[@blakkwaltz]

@@yummyananas Obviously some people value their money more than others. Let's be honest though it's not as good as a steamdeck. The snapdragon gen 2 does NOT have the power to emulate everything. It still can't play ps3 games. Also I'm a 200 pound weightlifter. I couldn't give less of a crap about weight.

[@racingaerials4493]

Right when you got to price I checked out. I can get an Odin 2 for MUCH cheaper.

[@axelt6312]

Or a 2 mini if you want something on the go

[@JJiG]

same here.

[@agamaz5650]

@@axelt6312 mini 2 doesnt have oled though and doesnt fit in a pocket

[@axelt6312]

@@agamaz5650 fit in a satchel and honestly Oled doesn't matter on such small devices

[@JohnathonHutt-r1q]

To be fair the base model is pretty close to the Odin 2 - more than the base, cheaper than the pro. And it is the same price as the Odin 2 mini.

[@mattfick5502]

That price is insane to me, but I think the device represents a strength of the modern handheld industry: there is something for everyone. And if there isn't, there will be next week thanks to Anbernic. I guarantee this perfectly matches someone's tastes and use case, and they can justify the price. It's not for me at all, but I'm glad it exists for someone. Great video Russ!

[@andyredfearn3002]

They'll sell maybe a couple hundred of these and then abandon it like they do almost every other Ayaneo device. No thanks.

[@Lupo2punto0]

Ayaneo seems to be unaware of the market they entered. Pocket Air $400 (at launch, now it's heavily discounted), Pocket S $550+, Pocket Evo starting at $390, Pocket DMG $420+...these prices are way too high for an Android Handheld. EDIT: Pocket Air was 320$ at launch..still very expensive for what it is

[@stevenolson3977]

I would argue that they are very aware of the market they are in. What's the point of trying to match or directly compete against Anbernic or Ayn or Retroid? Part of the AyaNeo appeal is the style and "jewelery" like nature of the device. Those qualities do not contribute to performance and these devices are generally worse value when comparing tech specs. That is to say if you were to open a burger place next to McDonald's, what kind of experience or quality would be more sustainable? Trying to compete directly against McDonald's prices and portions and quality? Or maybe forgo some volume and focus on higher quality or larger portion sizes or some other way or add value? Also, if AyaNeo's business model was unsustainable, it would have collapsed after the launch of the 2021 original model, and definitely would have been murdered by the Steam Deck.

[@cboyardee]

they know their market. People that have disposable income and already have a steamdeck

[@jeremy__hopkins]

Early Bird Pocket Air 6GB was $279 with Indiegogo pricing at $299 and retail at $319. I think shipping was included as well. Due to Odin 2 releasing at the same time and Russ had some issues with his review unit, those $279 early bird units were readily available. I never had a problem with the Pocket Air overheating and it was solid device except for the sticks and the chipset isn't a SD 8 gen 2. It's still one of the few dedicated handhelds that has a SIM card slot. Pocket EVO isn't horrible pricing considering it has a 7 inch 165hz AMOLED with full size sticks. Though would've been better for 12GB to come standard at the pricing. Pocket S and DMG, I can't really offer pushback. Those are very niche options. I kind of wonder what AYA NEO is doing at times.

[@stevenolson3977]

@@cboyardee right. It's like saying that Porsche or Lamborghini "don't know the market" because their cars are so expensive. Or any other "luxury" brand, for that matter.

[@stevenolson3977]

@jeremy__hopkins throwing stuff at the wall, it seems. I think Pocket S was a miss. Too many regressions from Pocket Air. I have the Evo and it is so comfy and the screen is to die for.

[@blakeandcamp]

It looks nice but Ayaneo's prices are absolutely absurd and I just can't justify it. There are devices that are pretty much as good for a fraction of the price.

[@rushtime3331]

No way you’re saying the RG40XXV is pretty much as good. It gets the job done but the difference is night and day if you play them side by side. 😂

[@agamaz5650]

what device can play Black with EE 180% overclock and 60 fps patch that is cheaper, has oled and fits in a pocket? Retroid Pocket Mini?

[@Tazuks]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@rushtime3331the retroid pocket mini rg556 rg505 and rg406v are the fraction of that price and is comparable to this price

[@ThCrimsonReaper]

@@rushtime3331 they are probably referring to the analogue pocket, which goes for ~$200, less than half of what this device costs at the lowest msrp (and less than a third of the cost of the specific model in the video). all while already being a highly premium device in its own right. but people were already apprehensive about a ~$200 gameboy niche device, so the fact that the pocket DMG makes the analogue price look like a bargain is very alarming for many people in the hobby that are hopping for premium devices at reasonable prices. like someone else in the comments said, this chip is overkill for the niche this fills, they could have used a weaker chip and lower the cost, but didnt.

[@bickboose9364]

@@agamaz5650 Why in the world would you play a shooter with a trackpad?

[@STR82DVD]

The value proposition here is not great. It's definitely a collectors handheld and not for the average consumer.

[@SpindlyJohnny]

Ayaneo Pocket DMG (Rich People Only Edition)

[@STR82DVD]

@@SpindlyJohnny LOL. The "influencer" Edition

[@AmbulanceWaitTimes]

which ring of hell would a chinese e-waste collector belong in?

[@STR82DVD]

@AmbulanceWaitTimes more than likely the one I'd reside in if I were a believer.

[@MonoDree]

@@SpindlyJohnny oh im rich? since when? i want my rich money.

[@Bahmetus]

Android handheld with a price of steam deck, small screen, 8:7 aspect ratio and no second analog stick As one wise man once said: "What were they thinking?" also respect to Russ for name the price right off the gate

[@jessejamesb]

gonna have to post how many people clicked off around 1:30 hahaha

[@MarkFryGuitar]

💯 1:30 stopped the vid and moved on. Crazy Price!

[@mcmeelp20]

Haha top comment. I literally stopped after seeing that price

[@jeremy__hopkins]

Thanks Russ and I appreciate all the extras included in this review. It helped give a better idea of the DMG and definitely seemed like a lot of extra work. Again, all very much appreciated. Putting aside issues of cost and niche, my issue is the the design. If the trackpad and stick were replaceable like the GPD XP+ and people could slot in different controls in different configurations, that would help. Or if AYA NEO would like to stick with static controls in a vertical handheld with this chipset, my advice would be to look up the design of the Famicom G-boy. That would change some of the nostalgia, it would be less like a premium Gameboy and more like a new Gamecube and Wii specific handheld. In that case, I would encourage AN to really lean in go with the Gamecube button layout. Considering the expense of a custom G-Boy, this would be something special and the chipset/screen would match the emulation use case. Either that or I'm still pushing for a Sega Nomad inspired design with clicky NGPC style stick. If LCL can make NEOGEO Pocket Color emulation handheld, recreate the stick and not have it cost an insane amount of money, it has to be possible for one of these companies.

[@xxGSII]

Finally, a good review on this device. Thanks Russ, you never disappoint

[@shadai7398]

Like, I sat here and watched this entire video, cause when you see Russ post a new RGC video, you say, "yeah man, I wanna watch it" but I'm super confused. Like... who exactly is this handheld for? It's stupidly expensive. I hate to be just like Steam Deck guy, but for that cash, why don't you go get an Odin 2? And the control scheme. Bizarre. Just Bizarre. I get the vertical form factor but just one stick? Some janky touchpad? Non-analog shoulder buttons??? Honestly Russ, when I saw that handheld and the outline around the stick and touchpad I swear to god I thought that thing literally could be pulled out of the handheld and swapped in with an actual dual stick setup or something. This thing has the guts to play GameCube, PS2 and Switch perfectly, and the control scheme and screen dimensions to do exactly none of those systems. WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU PAY THAT MUCH FOR A COMPROMISED EXPERIENCE? I don't care how nice it is to hold it. It's really hard to recommend this over something like the Odin 2 at that price, or hell, even the RP5 that might not play switch but sure as hell has a second analog stick and triggers. If it really is only going to be able to realistically play PS1 and below, you don't need that kind of power. Go with the Ambernic vertical, it's like HALF the price!! I'm just really lost on what Ayaneo is doing here. Like what market are you targeting with this overpriced nonsense? And this isn't even the first Ayaneo handheld that's left me scratching my head. The entire thing is bizarre. Hold their feet to the fire Russ. This company has clearly lost their way.

[@MonoDree]

Because i don't want an Odin2, i want a vertical handheld. and not just any like the miyoo mini or analogue pocket, i want a powerful one that looks like a modern Gameboy. i fell in love at first site when i saw this, its what i have been waiting for. If you like horizontal devices more then this clearly has no value for you. but for me, i want this more than the steam deck, retroid pocket or odin 2. i do wish the price was lower but at the moment my want for it is too high to not get it. especially since im going on holiday soon

[@firstlast6814]

Well said!

[@jefesteeze]

@@MonoDree Sure, but the chipset in the 406V is plenty for any game that plays well in this form factor. Putting such an overpowered chip into something that's really only good for squarish aspect ratio retro systems is a waste. They'd have done better to put a less powerful / more efficient chipset into the same form factor and lower the price.

[@DoeDoeJohn]

This was so thorough and balanced. I loved this review. I am not in the market at all, I have a Analogue Pocket I never find a time to use, but I feel both entertained and informed. This was wonderful. Thing is, I was not having a snack, I was doing the dishes. Hope that's ok.

[@mjdf122]

Every day a new handheld is born

[@edwardgreenjr167]

I greatly appreciate the long video. But $590 as reviewed, $340 to start? Thank goodness they still included a microSD slot, they could have been really greedy with those SKUs and locked down storage behind those prices. Still, that's a big nope for me. too many other options between 400-600.

[@dgevert]

You'd think they could afford a headphone jack at this price. JFC.

[@JohnathonHutt-r1q]

Yeah, I head phone jack would be welcome

[@skycloud4802]

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see a new device with a volume wheel as opposed to buttons. I wish volume wheels and sliders were standard again.

[@terryterryd]

The analogue volume sliders and wheels used to create scratchy noises - perhaps that is why they died off 🤷

[@MonoDree]

@@terryterryd is it too late to mention that that is one of the things some people miss about the wheel? its like the click of a keyboard key. the physicality of it is satisfying.

[@osamu_90]

​​​@@terryterrydThey also take up a lot more physical space inside the device, are slightly more expensive and complicated versus components needed for buttons, compromise on water resistance and collects dust more easily, are prone to accidental adjustments and are prone to wear damage to the potentiometer (usually the no. 1 culprit for the scratchy noise). I love analog volume wheels, but I can see why they went away.

[@winterchild69]

Hey Russ, been a subscriber since you were around 70k and watch almost every one of your videos. One thing that I’d love for you to cover is the quality of vibration motors in some of the handhelds, even if it’s in the fringe case of it being particularly bad or good. I feel like this is NEVER covered by any reviewers.

[@kouyasakurada5547]

So basically it’s twice the price of an Odin 2, but isn’t as powerful or as comfortable as one. This is a silly product.

[@inellly]

Fantastic review. I've been looking for a GameBoy-like device that not only hits me in the nostalgia feels, but can also play modern mobile titles. This looks to be it. Can't wait for my preorder to ship 👍🏿

[@xxGSII]

Russ, I think the trick to the touchpad is to keep your thumb on it…Swiping is whats causing issues for most reviews I have seen.

[@7ynal480]

I’ve watch so many reviews and no one shows it docked. Finally!! I knew the snack master wouldn’t let me down

[@steveo1707]

Who is the target market for this?? It looks awesome, but no matter how amazingly you equip a Nissan Sentra, nobody is paying $70k for it.

[@benedictusharyanto4109]

Having the ability to run pretty much everything but doesn’t come with a right analog and proper shoulder buttons is wild

[@juniorelizondo4144]

Thats a great analogy bravo good sir 😅

[@manafount2600]

I think a good comparison for people wanting an idea of how powerful the Qualcomm G3x Gen2 is, is that the Meta Quest 3’s SoC (Qualcomm XR2 Gen2) uses the same number and type of ARM cores: 1x Cortex-X3, 2x Cortex-A715, 3x Cortex-A510. This thing is packing a scary amount of power under the hood lol

[@justinee98808oj]

missed opportunity for making the analog trackpad part a hotswappable module

[@Tom-Bomb]

Yea man I have one of those trampoline experiences myself lol. Mine was the first time I came across a Sega Game Gear and just thinking how incredible it was to be able to play “Genesis/snes quality” full color backlit games on a handheld device - and even watch tv with a tv tuner!!! That moment just blew me away and has always stuck with me to this day. And mind you this was YEARS after the game gear had released in 1990 - I’m talking prob like 1997ish when I was 6 or 7, but even then it still seemed so revolutionary since Nintendo made us wait until freakin 2003 to give us a proper backlit display on a Gameboy. Up until that point I always viewed handhelds (as cool as they were and I loved my gameboys) as kind of gimmicky and “less than” console versions. But it was at that moment I think I fully realized the possibilities that ONE DAY not too far off in the future we’d be able to play full console like games on a handheld system (even if it ate thru like 6AA batteries, that was fine w me lol). Still, even tho I dreamt of the possibilities and foresaw a lot of what was coming, I don’t think I ever realized just how far it’d go to where now you can have a full size, insanely powerful PC in the palm of your hands with something like the ROG Ally and how those systems have completely just revolutionized EVERYTHING all over again! And it’s hard to imagine what the future still holds in that regard but where ever we go from here, I’m sure I’ll be excited to see what it is until the day I die.

[@soccerman0021981]

Holy shit at the price.

[@jabrondestoroyah]

Yeah its insanity AND the screen is small and there's no right analog stick

[@beomancertv6889]

Man @RetroGameCorps salute to you, your reviews are so precise and detailed. Appreciate the work you put in all your videos.

[@anemite2]

Too much power which is pointless for consoles like gcn and ps2 due to small screen

[@TarikA]

Amazing review. I've been wishing for a review of this device from you since the day it was announced! Only three little nitpicks from me 😝: 1. I would have loved to see more vertical comparisons, especially with the RG40XX-V (which imho is the main "budget competitor") but also a few others like a Miyoo Mini Plus, RG35XX Plus or a Game Boy Color. 2. Video out is a big selling point for many of us (including me), especially when it comes to such a pricey device. Thus I would have loved to see the developer option you mentioned to see how well it works to play content on a 16:9 monitor/TV which is obviously wider than the native 8:7 screen of the device. Especially for things like PSP or Nintendo Switch, it's very reasonable to have those on the device, not to play them in handheld mode due to that black borders but then "consolize" it by docking it and play it on the big screen just like an actual Nintendo Switch. I just thought you were showing this off after showing how bad GBA looked on the monitor but instead you went to the next section. :( 3. You mislabeled "Last Bronx" I think.

[@FilmTrekk]

LOL, not gonna pay that price ever for a retro handheld

[@JayE-e2q]

Nobody’s telling you to 😂

[@MonoDree]

@@JayE-e2q Yeah like its up to the customer if they want to buy it. complain with your wallet by not buying it lol

[@juniorelizondo4144]

Idk man the odin 2 mini has been peak retro gaming and its a similar price.

[@FilmTrekk]

@@juniorelizondo4144 yeah but that thing can actually play some Steam games.

[@kirbyrj]

Sums it up with this statement..."If you got your hands on one you would love it. Whether or not you're willing to pay that price to get to it is another story."

[@MonoDree]

Yeah i would say the same thing. Im one of the backers that got the most expensive option. im not rich like a lot of commenters think all the customers are. i just hade saving that i built up for something i really want for fun and this was definitely something i wanted. But i totally expect this to be an absolute no for others and that's normal if you are not that interested in it.

[@thatzaliasguy]

Android + Winlator + Mouse-mode trackpad = pocket retro RTS machine... Also the perfect pocket DOOM runner.

[@lurkerphoenix]

As an avid StarCraft player, I'm afraid I don't agree with your optimism.

[@jposega]

Can we take a moment to appreciate the irony of "unpolised" being misspelled at the end? Great review, great looking device, but gotdam it's pricey. Will wait for the next next gen version.

[@TheJoshuaJames]

is the experience $400 more than a rp5?

[@TheRightRally]

1:10 Me: _squidward folds beach chair and leaves_

[@MrEvan1932]

Perhaps there’s a continuous input mode for the trackpad? I think that would make it a lot more usable like a touchscreen joystick where you can drag your finger in a direction and continuously get input in that direction

[@BenLiuChungHin]

I was exactly thinking this. Similar to how the Steam Controller was..

[@Bushidounohana]

Love the story time analogy-hits home in a very real way!

[@vaguerant]

I don't know if that Banjo-Kazooie example holds up. The C buttons are your camera controls, but they're also used in button combos to cover all of abilities you unlock throughout the game. Using a touch pad to simulate a right stick that's simulating four action buttons seems not great.

[@vaguerant]

That said, I totally get that Banjo is here as a substitute for showing a different 3D platformer that has C button camera controls which will remain unnamed. If you need another example, I can recommend Rocket: Robot on Wheels. Its setup is basically identical to the plumber game, with first-person view, rotation and zoom on the four buttons, so they're never action buttons. It's a high quality and nice looking game, too. Not Banjo-tier but pleasing enough to look at. Developed by Sucker Punch who went on to make the Sly Cooper games.

[@globalistgamer6418]

Could indeed possibly work for Ultra Red Dude 3-score and 4

[@e__b956]

20:35 congrats on being able to test the world’s first pocketable airplane from AYANEO 🔥

[@boombox8675]

someone looked at analogue pocket and said thats too affordable and too simple to play to plug and play

[@RussellB]

Thanks for this. The wait on shipping has been painful. They announced the first shipment last week... 15 units shipped.

[@fryingpanda]

Gameboy for adults should be called the game man and had a mustache branding lol

[@HermanMarte]

I’ve been waiting for your video before making a purchase, glad I waited. I’ve been looking for something I can take when I don’t wanna lug around the steam deck and your videos have been so helpful. It’s a great looking device but I think I’m going with the chunky RG406V. I want a vertical device and think for me it’s a middle ground between the pocket dmg and the RG40xxv, I hate the charging issues of those and it’s pretty cool that I can play some GameCube and some android games. It might turn into a dead cells machine. Thank you!

[@AJcore]

Looks really rad but gonna wait for the "year late bird sales."

[@superamario6464]

Great video, Russ. The unit looks amazing...but the price. Phew!

[@DevanteWeary]

I came here to watch the video to see what the big deal was (i.e. why the price) and... there IS no reason. This performs about the same as a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro according to the review. Not sure what they were thinking.

[@Zenmaster911]

That in the smallest config (and the Evo in the biggest) and its Happy Xmas 🎉🎉

[@gamerdude612]

It Looks awesome but way out of my price range I just stuck around cause I enjoy RGC videos 😁

[@feeshifeeshi]

Great review! Not having a second analog stick is kind of a dealbreaker for me for something in this price range, though the trackpad could have some uses. Gonna stick with the Miyoo Mini Plus for older games and the SteamDeck OLED for everything else.

[@dotintegral]

Damn, the retail prices of more beefy versions are close to rog ally.

[@justinreschke3642]

I think the display is probably its most attractive feature.

[@tf5pZ9H5vcAdBp]

Wish it didn't have the track pad. It's so beautiful, just the trackpad kills it. Settled for the RG406V instead.

[@rushtime3331]

I don’t think a dual-stick setup works on the handheld without major redesign because of how small the sticks are. But I agree dual-stick input would use that power much better, playing any games other than rpgs with that trackpad is a huge pain in the ass.

[@MonoDree]

Something no one really points out is that the space surrounding the pad and stick looks like it can come out or be separated, someone might discover a way to replace it with something better or Ayaneo will announce a way to install a new component that replaces it like a GameCube extension.

[@helio3094]

I loved this review I can definetely relate to the trampolin story! As someone who started playing less and less games as I grew up, I can definetely see myself spending some $400+ just for having that same feeling again

[@chrisk7461]

Wow, it's nice... But oooffff that price. I'd buy it for $250USD

[@andrewmcneil1931]

Omg it's Christmas.. the upload I've been waiting for, haha.

[@swarming1092]

Snack: grabbed Drink: acquired TrimUI Smart Pro playing Golden Sun: in hand Hour-long Retro Game Corps review: about to be watched

[@Mars_Army]

Thanks for telling us the price first. you saved me 54 minutes ..*Goes off to buy the TrimUI Brick instead*

[@MonoDree]

I would get the trimui brick if i didnt already have the miyoo mini. it looks good. and now i cant wait to get this ayaneo dmg

[@SaltyOldBaldurian]

Volume wheels are not to be underestimated. Take note designers. Volume wheels are where it's at.

[@thehorsefromhorsinabout]

fwiw the miyoo mini has a volume wheel.

[@SaltyOldBaldurian]

@@thehorsefromhorsinabout Apparently this one has a volume wheel and no headphone jack....

[@LutraLovegood]

Volume wheels are more expansive.

[@TheJoshuaJames]

I hope that otger manufacturers see that we DO want this large chunky retro form factor and release realistically priced handhelds

[@MonoDree]

i hope Nintendo themselves realise this and enters the market again. that would be awesome.

[@EliasPfaiffer]

the price is simply outrageous!!! next please...

[@snowolf494]

I mean, it is about the same price as an Odin 2 for about the same performance. Not that surprising of a price.

[@jesusbarrera6916]

​@@snowolf494sure but no even the ODIN portal reaches $700..... and that's a 16:9 OLED with 2 stick and infinitely better ergonomics and temps

[@EliasPfaiffer]

@@snowolf494 ODIN 2 = GOAT!! please don't compare this overpriced product with the GOAT...please!

[@zeframmann1641]

@@snowolf494 What about the lack of screen?

[@osamu_90]

@@snowolf494And games that play and look great on an Odin 2 would play and look like garbage here because of its form factor and controls. The same logic behind people not sticking an RTX 4090 inside a retro arcade cabinet that plays... arcade games. No shader is going to need that kind of power, and the fact they had to put any form of active cooling to cool a vertical handheld meant for retro gaming is kind of absurd. The Odin 2 is a well-thought product that is well worth its price. This handheld is the opposite of that, it's like sticking a powerful engine in a Camry and asking for Mustang prices. And no, it's not the same price as an Odin 2. Not even close, actually. The lowest tier is $449 without the early bird deal, while base Odin 2 is $299 (retail price was $340, but Ayn never raised the price even after the early bird offer was over).

[@jordanwright5795]

Pre-ordered this on Indigogo like zillion years ago. Hopefully it ships this month like they claim it will. I do most of my gaming on the steam deck OLED, PC, PS5 etc but I also really enjoy retro gaming and a lot of those scum point and click adventure titles from the 80’s and 90’s ( day of the tentacle, space quest etc ) The touchpad, it’s small form factor and really great display will make a great machine for those old adventurer titles and classic SNES, Dreamcast etc. Not a cheap machine but not much more than the analog pocket and a lot more capable IMO.

[@MonoDree]

its interesting that you already have a steamdeck. a lot of people say they would rather just stick with their steamdeck. I actually never plan to get one because i already have my pc. but the new DMG is definitely something i want. cant wait for mine to arrive also.

[@VascovanZeller]

When you said "it's expensive" I thought it was going to be anything over 220. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine it would be a dollar over 300. Wtf.

[@earlivhanmonte2976]

i love that you start off this video with the price.

[@DanC]

I'll disagree, this is an overpriced handheld relative to its offerings and the market.

[@zeframmann1641]

This above all else is a handheld for the pampered bourgeoisie in their ivory castles. The 406v and 40XXv, I am proud to call these handhelds for the true backbone of our country, the working class. 👍

[@inyourbase3026]

overpriced, can get a much better deal or useful device in the steamdeck among other handhelds. sounds like the company is living of their own delusions.

[@Lucifronz]

Not something I'd ever buy, but something I could definitely see myself keeping if I ever had one, if that makes sense. It's a slick system. Not how I'd really want my system to be, I don't really like trackpads, especially as replacements for second analog sticks, so it doesn't serve me well as a higher-end system, but it has a lot of utility for the handheld sphere. PSP in particular really needs an analog stick and you can't really get by with most N64 games without one, either, even though I think having a two-stick system is better in general if you're going to reach that far since you'll probably be playing a little higher at that price-range. But yeah... I mean it's no slouch for style and function, so it would be a cool system to have. It's definitely sleek and stylish, and has a pretty innovative design, but I think it's one of those things where if I were going to start playing PSP and some higher-end systems like Gamecube or PS2, I wouldn't aim for a DMG design in my systems. I would aim for a proper horizontal handheld with at least two hall-effect sticks. Hard for me to congratulate them on it with it being so pricey, but I'm sure this is probably *the perfect system* for someone out there, so congrats to whoever that is. I can't really criticize it too heavily because it does serve a particular niche, but even still, that price is a _bit_ absurd.

[@lamontwatson8904]

Long as I hear that it’s worth the price that’s all I care about. A lot of people on here is gonna complain about the price knowing that it’s a premium product that’s like going to a Lamborghini shop complaining that your Toyota could do the same thing.

[@DogginsFroggins]

A Lamorghini is actually faster and objectively better designed, this analogy sucks.

[@lamontwatson8904]

Funny how You mentioned that one thing out of all the premium functions this thing does 😂. What DMG is better designed than this?

[@MonoDree]

@@DogginsFroggins Lamborghini has big cons some people do not like. its not better to them. I don't think Lamborghini is better than Toyota at all. its overrated as a car.

[@juniorelizondo4144]

I already have the Lambo. It's the Odin 2 mini. 😊

[@clanpsi]

What's the point of L2 and R2 shoulder buttons if it doesn't even have a second analog stick? o_O

[@axioms22]

Insanely priced like why not just get a steam deck at that point

[@alexandreferraz5993]

Bought it after retro dweeb review a couple of weeks ago. Love at first sight. Waiting for it anxiously

[@JacobDubdubs]

They definitely set themselves apart with the design though, very different looking than other verts on the market, which is VERY refreshing

[@Spooks1.2]

Fuck no, people say adopters of the Analogue pocket were stupid and I’ll take it, already owning a steam deck I shouldn’t need an Analogue but I wanted one, I have Pokémon Gold in right now. $500?!? For an android emulator? Now that’s stupid.

[@wingn3849]

Miyoo Mini Plus got this beat. It sits in my pockets all the time because it’s pocketable. It is affordable so it gets played in public without fear of dropping it or getting stolen. Most importantly, Onion OS makes it so convenient to play with its streamlined OS and quick resume.

[@Azrael138]

@@wingn3849 same, I see no reason to stop using my MM+

[@Threewlz]

Most people will stick with GB/GBC/GBA in this form factor as well. So I don't see the value of this ayaneo device, even if impressive, at this price point.

[@agamaz5650]

Miyoo Mini Plus doesnt play ps2 and gamecube

[@Azrael138]

@agamaz5650 that's not worth $300 more than the MM+ lmao

[@Lupo2punto0]

@@agamaz5650 RP4 plays PS2 at 170$, and if you want the vertical form factor, RG406V plays GC and PS2 at 170$ (with real analog sticks). Or you can buy both consoles for less than the price of the Ayaneo DMG, and still have some spare change to grab a snack and drink and watch Retro Game Corps all day

[@flower5185]

I would've been interested in a device like this if it had less power so it can sell at a lower price. I don't want to play anything beyond 16 bit with this form factor. The design is beautiful and I'm willing to pay a premium for a nice screen and top notch controls. I don't want to pay a premium for horsepower I won't use.

[@WannaKnowMyName]

Too expensive

[@rsorry]

Brooo showing yuzu gameplay playin with fire 🔥

[@mpholicx2]

Price is definitely a deal breaker. Unless you NEED or really want this form factor it has no place at this price point. It would be terrible at 16:9 so the extra power for Wii U or PS2 is wasted.

[@TheColdOne]

Wow man, that price alone makes me satisfied with my Analogue Pocket (again, also being able to play my physical games) since I want it just for handheld consoles.

[@euckersw]

Seems like AYANEO is learning and refining...I get the comments on the pricing, but they make premium handhelds...I don't have a problem with that, and more competition and options is great for all of us.

[@felippedias5446]

A gameboy that plays gamecube, show that for someone in early 2000's, it should be 🤯

[@Ultimantis]

Jumpscare! 33:30

[@Wes.jumpss]

No way I’d pay that price seeing as I can get an Odin 2.

[@nogardemllac]

Too expensive for retro gaming. I wish it had 2 analog sticks instead of trackpad

[@EliHank]

Whatever Ayaneo smoked when they priced that thing...I *NEED* it !

[@CrankyBuddha]

I'm really just not sure who the customer base is for this device. It misses the luxury impulse buying community, because those people don't even know Ayaneo exists. It misses the 'disposable income gaming enthusiast' (where I personally fit in) because those folks will buy and mod original hardware, buy and set up an ally/steamdeck, buy an Analogue Pocket and swap the buttons, or buy their favorite retroid/odyn if they want the emulator features. It misses the retro handheld enthusiast, because those people will be aware of the litany of horizonal form factor devices which are more comfortable, or just already have their own favorite 'feature set' which this device misses is unlikely to be a perfect match on. I think that pretty much leaves anyone who looks at the thing, and thinks 'wow thats really cool and I want it,' or people who just want to own the 'expensive thing' and dont want to buy 2 Analogue Pockets.

[@Nilthur]

anything i would play on this would not require the power it has, and anything i would play that would require the power it has i would rather play on my odin 2. you really gotta be a dmg fan to pay this much for this

[@Xuvier]

Okay so the video ends at 1:10.

[@TraverserStories16488]

Only Ayaneo employees will buy this.