The life of a YouTube reviewer can sometimes appear a cushy one, with device manufacturers from across the globe almost fighting to mail over their latest device. However, this is a rare instance where Zu is reviewing a device he paid for himself.
The AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic is a reimaged version of the AYANEO Pocket Micro with the 2 joysticks removed. This is both a blessing and a curse, since it makes the device much more pocket-friendly, but really does limit the ability of the device to give a great experience for emulating any system above PS!.
As highlighted in Nick’s review, the Pocket Micro Classic has the following specs:
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G99
- Display: 3.5″ Borderless IPS @ 960×640 with 330PPI density
- RAM: Up To 8GB LPDDR4X @ 4266 MT/s
- Storage: Up To 256GB UFS 2.2
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 & Bluetooth 5.2 Support
- Other: Solid Metal Outer Shell, Fingerprint Sensor
The design of the AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic is a nod to the Nintendo Game Boy Micro, a GBA refresh with a 2-inch screen. Luckily, the 3.5-inch screen on the Micro Classic is much more usable than that Nintendo device. Like the GB Micro, the Micro Classic appears to be designed specifically for GBA games due to the 3:2 aspect ratio screen.
While there are many other pocketable 3:2 devices, such as the Powkiddy V10, the Anbernic RG34XX and RG34XXSP that were released in the last 12 months, along with the RGB10 and RG351P from a few years ago. While all these devices give a notably good GBA experience, the Micro Classic, with a higher resolution screen and premium shell, is essentially the high-end choice. It’s a top-end device with a price to match.
As for controls, Zu especially likes the D-pad, which is more precise without being too tight, the goldilocks of D-pads. He isn’t, however, a fan of the random back/home Android buttons, which have unclear context-sensitive buttons rather than acting as traditional back/home buttons. As anyone who has held either a Pocket Micro or Pocket Micro Classic knows, the placement of these buttons, at the point where Start and Select should logically be, is the single most frustrating part of the device.
Second only to the back and home buttons as frustrations is the built-in front-end, AYASpace, which Zu found overly complicated, especially as he considers the Pocket Classic a one-function device, just for GBA.
What Did We Learn
After taking us on a tour of some of his favorite GBA games, including testing the speakers with downsampled buttrock, Zu finished up as ever with “What Did We Learn?”
Today, we learned that the Micro Classic is, at around $200, likely the most expensive GBA-specific device available. Its function may be just as a status symbol for the more bougie Retro Handheld device owners. However, maybe just this once, Zu is ok joining the ranks of the bourgeoisie with his purchase.
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