New Game Boy-style handheld is a retro fan's dream, but with a big catch

The Ayaneo Pocket DMG is a vertical handheld with fast hardware - but is it even necessary?

The gaming handheld renaissance continues, but one device category is still rarely served: vertical handhelds.

This refers to devices in which the controls are not located next to the display, but under it - like on the first Game Boy models. In most cases, such devices are much more compact and some even fit in your pocket.

That's the reason why IAyaneo Pocket DMG tested hereI took it with me everywhere without any problem - it simply slips into my jacket or even trouser pocket.

A Steam Deck or the Nintendo Switch usually requires an additional bag, which is why I rarely leave the house with them.

The Ayaneo Pocket DMG is a vertical gaming handheld with Android operating system - and possibly one of the best. I still find it difficult to make a clear recommendation. You can now find out why.

Transparency note:Ayaneo provided me with the Pocket DMG free of charge for the test. The manufacturer had no influence on the article content and was not given access to it before the test was published. There was no obligation to provide a test report.

Workmanship, design and comfort

The casing is made of a matt plastic that has a very fine texture. This means it fits securely in the hand and doesn't feel cheap.

The handheld sits comfortably in my hands, even though the device is actually just a gray box - the ergonomics most remind me of the Game Boy Color.

However, the design is clearly based on the first Game Boy. On the right are the ABXY keys, with the B and A keys colored magenta. The control pad on the left is complemented by a single analog stick underneath. This is about the same size as the Nintendo Joy Cons.

There is no second analog stick. Instead, there is a pressable touchpad. There are four shoulder buttons on the back, which are arranged horizontally instead of vertically to each other. If you play games that use two sticks and the shoulder buttons, you have to form a claw with both index fingers and thumb - not very comfortable.

On the sides there are additional buttons for controlling Android, a volume wheel, a switch for switching performance profiles, a power button with a fingerprint sensor, a microSD card slot and the speakers.

These are loud, but sound quite thin. There is also no 3.5mm jack connection. You have to switch to Bluetooth headphones.

All in all, I like the design of the Ayaneo Pocket DMG overall. The device looks nice and is comfortable - as long as you play games that don't require two analog sticks.

Screen

One of the highlights of the Ayaneo Pocket DMG is the 3.92-inch OLED display.

The resolution is 1240 x 1080 pixels, which results in a pixel density of around 415 ppi. Screen content is therefore razor-sharp.

The maximum brightness of 450 nits could be better, but is still enough for playing outside in daylight. But it becomes difficult in direct sunlight

As with other OLED screens, games really come into their own. The colors are bright and the contrast is excellent.

steering

D-pad and buttons:Due to the almost square screen ratio, this handheld is particularly suitable for playing retro games. The cross-shaped D-pad also contributes to this. I'm glad that Ayaneo didn't opt ​​for a disc-shaped version.

However, the pressure points are a bit spongy and it is difficult to feel the input, especially when making circular movements.

The ABXY keys are very flat, but I quickly got used to that. The activation of the shoulder buttons can be felt tactilely with a click. If you want to play mostly retro titles with the Ayaneo Pocket DMG, then you definitely won't be disappointed.

Now let's talk about the analog stick and touchpad.Let's start with the good news. The analog stick is precise, easy to grip and should be more resistant to stick drift thanks to Hall effect sensors.

And now the bad news. The right analog stick is simulated by a touchpad. Aiming with precision in shooters is impossible. It's enough to control the camera in games, but don't expect the precision that a touchpad can have when simulating a mouse instead.

Frankly, I'm not sure why Ayaneo chose a touchpad instead of a second analog stick. I don't see any obvious advantages to this - only disadvantages.

But there is also a 6-axis gyroscope... which is unfortunately even worse than the touchpad. It only reacts with a delay and only simulates the right analog stick.

Software

The Ayaneo Pocket DMG uses Android 13 as the operating system with a launcher that can be easily controlled with the controller. Alternatively, Android can be operated in the classic way via the touchscreen.

The Google operating system is unproblematic in most cases, even on this square display. But there are also cases where this is not the case. For example, sometimes the on-screen keyboard covers the text field in some apps and so you can't see what you're typing.

The AyaSpace app is also preinstalled. This is used to install updates and change settings. The AyaSpace button at the bottom right can also be used to call up a quick menu, as is known from other gaming handhelds:

Gaming performance and storage

Inside the Ayaneo Pocket DMG is a very powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 G3X Gen2. This is also actively cooled by a fan. Fresh air is drawn in through the back and then released upwards through the device.

This ensures that the best possible performance is maintained even during long gaming sessions.

There are also cell phones that have very fast hardware, but in almost all cases these rely on passive cooling via the housing and throttling of the processor to protect the device from overheating - not ideal for complex games.

Again I have two messages for you:

The good news:This processor is fast enough for almost all Android games and apps. The fan cannot completely prevent a certain throttling in particularly power-intensive processes, but performance remains at a high level.

• 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme:3.879(Better than 85 percent of all devices)
• 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test:3,742 to 3,203(85.6 percent stability: performance loss of 14.4 percent after 20 minutes at maximum ventilation speed)

The bad news:The processor is therefore fast enough to play even relatively modern games natively. But they don't really fit this handheld. The screen has an almost square aspect ratio and games designed for the 16 by 9 format have unsightly black borders. Furthermore, there is no real second analog stick for such games.

In terms of form factor and controls, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG is perfect for playing older retro games, but this high-performance hardware is not necessary for that.

Streaming PC games via Steam Link also works well, but again the aspect ratio and the lack of a second analog stick make things more difficult.

So the device has a bit of an identity crisis.Fast enough for more modern titles, but not ergonomically suitable for this. Perfect for retro games, but the internal hardware is overkill.

Memory:The Ayaneo Pocket DMG is on theManufacturer's websiteAvailable for pre-order in two versions:

• 16 GB RAM / 512 GB UFS 4.0
• 8 GB RAM / 128 GB UFS 3.1

My test sample with 16 GB and 1 TB of memory is currently not available. The internal memory can also be expanded with a microSD card.

Battery life

Ayaneo has packed a 6,000 mAh battery into the small device. This can be charged with a maximum charging power of 25 watts. However, you have to get a charger separately.

Battery life varies depending on the game and performance profile. In the “Max” setting with 15 watts of power, it stops after about 150 minutes. In the “Power Saving” profile, over ten hours are easily possible.

Should you buy the Ayaneo Pocket DMG?

Unfortunately, the fast hardware and the beautiful OLED screen drive up the price of this handheld. At Ayaneo you can currently get the Pocket DMG from 365 euros in the version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storagepre-order. The 16/512 GB version costs 495 euros.

The Ayaneo Pocket DMG is for you if...

• ... you are looking for a vertical retro handheld with high performance.
• ...you don't want to play shooters.
• ... a particularly good screen is important to you.

Alternatives

Razer Edge:The Razer Edge contains the previous chip, the Snapdragon 8 G3X Gen1. This is still fast enough for most games and apps today. Additionally, the Razer Edge's aspect ratio is better for playing modern titles. However, the screen is less suitable for retro games.

If you mostly want to stream games, it may be worth using the Logitech G Cloud. The device has a seven-inch 16-9 display, which is perfect for console and PC gaming. The built-in Snapdragon 720 G is still well equipped to play older titles.

Analouge Pocket:If you're looking for an authentic Game Boy experience with modern hardware, then there's no way around the Analouge Pocket. You can even insert your original game cartridges into the handheld.

If you are looking for a vertical gaming handheld with exceptionally fast hardware and an excellent screen, then the Ayaneo Pocket DMG is the right choice as long as the price doesn't seem too high to you. However, if you only want to play retro games, then the built-in hardware is overkill and there are cheaper options, such as thisDevices from competitor Anbernic.