Revolutionizing Gaming on the Go: Ayaneo Pocket Micro Review, the Ultimate Android Emulation Powerhouse
Ayaneo Pocket Micro: One-minute review
Holding the Ayaneo Pocket Micro in your hands is an experience in itself. Weighing under 9oz/250g, this Android tablet measures just 6.1 x 2.5 x 0.71in/156 x 63 x 18mm. It’s a tiny powerhouse, designed for emulation, with a 3.5in, 960 x 640 IPS touchscreen in a 3:2 aspect ratio, perfect for playing Game Boy Advance games.
A Game Boy Advance lover’s dreamcome true
The Ayaneo Pocket Micro is built for emulation, and it shows. The custom Android launcher and Ayaneo app suite come pre-loaded with a range of retro games, and the device even includes links to popular emulators on the Google Play Store. The microSD card slot makes it easy to import a wide range of games. With responsive controls and a soft, spongy feel reminiscent of the Nintendo 2DS, diving into Game Boy classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Pokémon Ruby is a treat.
Native games also get love
The Pocket Micro can handle native Android gaming, but performance begins to wane with more demanding titles. Simple 2D games like Stardew Valley and 20 Minutes Till Dawn run superbly, while complex 3D worlds like Genshin Impact or Zenless Zone Zero cause frame rates to drop. The speakers, unfortunately, are pretty poor, making headphones almost a necessity.
Price and availability
The Ayaneo Pocket Micro is currently available on Indiegogo, with prices starting at $189 (around £153) for the 6GB + 128GB model and $219 (around £177) for the 8GB + 256GB model.
How I tested the Ayaneo Pocket Micro
I put the Pocket Micro to the test over three months, using the 8GB + 256GB model in black, with a case provided by the manufacturer. I tested a wide variety of Game Boy games, as well as a few other platforms, and compared the playing experience to my hands-on testing of gaming smartphones and other handhelds.
Moreon how I tested the Ayaneo Pocket Micro
Tested for three months
Tested a wide variety of Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games
Tested native mobile titles, including Call of Duty: Mobile and more
Used a SanDisk Extreme microSD card to transfer game files from my PC
Compared playing experience to gaming smartphones and other handhelds
Relied on Beats Solo Buds for audio
Read more about how we test
