Retro console maker Analogue has provided more information about its Analogue OS, which will run on its upcoming Pocket trade. The OS only runs original cartridges from various retro handhelds, but does offer modern conveniences.
Analogue reports in a Twitter thread for example that Analogue OS will support save states. Where in the original games you could only save your progress in a game at most at specific moments, save states offer the possibility to save anytime and anywhere. In addition, it is possible to take screenshots in the games and to change button settings. Furthermore, Analogue OS supports playlists and keeps track of how much and when a particular game has been played.
The handheld will also have a Library, where information about games will be found. It will show information about games that the owner has, but basically all games: ‘systems, games, regions, developers, publishers, everything’, Analogue says. The supported platforms are Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket Color and Atari Lynx. The latter three are supported with separately available adapters. Users have to add their own pictures to the library items themselves, probably for rights reasons. Analogue also has a separate webpage dedicated to his ox.
An important detail is that the Analogue Pocket is not yet on the market. The device was announced in 2019 and was initially set to release in 2020. After several postponements, the release date is now set to ‘December at the latest’.
The Pocket then doesn’t use software emulation, but instead has two fpga chips: one for playing cartridges and one that allows developers to port their own software to the Pocket. The handheld has a 3.5″ LTPS LCD with a resolution of 1600×1440 pixels, a 4300mAh battery, bluetooth for external controllers and a 3.5mm audio output.