A brand-new retro handheld from Ayaneo is on the way. At first glance, we wouldn’t fault you for mistaking it for a Game Boy Advance, and the name of it – Konkr Pocket Advance – makes it obvious what you’re in for. Ayaneo has been affected by memory shortages throughout this year, leading to price hikes and cancelations, so a lower-spec handheld like this is probably in order.

While little has been revealed outside of the design, it’s important to note that Ayaneo is launching the device under its Konkr sister brand. This label is reserved for its more budget-friendly retro gaming handhelds, so fingers crossed it ships with a competitive price tag. The most comparable device is Anbernic’s RG 34XX, which is currently available from $59.99.

What we know about the Konkr Pocket Advance

As Ayaneo alludes to in its official announcement post, Nintendo’s GBA is “a legendary handheld that transcends generations” – and the new Konkr Pocket Advance looks to capture some of that spark with a modern remake. Our first impressions say the system looks promising, but it’s hard to judge without a closer look at its features, and perhaps more importantly, the price.

Compared to the original Game Boy Advance released back in 2001, Ayaneo’s modern reimagining comes with two additional face buttons (X and Y), as well as two more buttons – one labeled with Konkr’s logo and another with what looks like a two-line ‘burger menu’ which may be a settings shortcut. Start and Select buttons remain – labeled as ‘ST’ and ‘SE’ – and the Pocket Advance sticks to a D-Pad design with no thumbstick and shoulder buttons similar to the original GBA.

Other devices in the Konkr range include the Konkr Fit and Konkr Pocket Fit; the latter was available from $239 to $299 in its early bird pricing, but we’d like to see something cheaper if it wishes to compete with the likes of the RG 34XX. Fans are already asking for a $100 price tag for the Pocket Advance, but we’ll have to wait and see what Ayaneo has planned.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.