It seems the GKD Little has leaked over on our Discord.
GKD has most recently been thrust into the limelight with the release of both its GKD Pixel and Pixel 2. Those two devices run as competition to one of the smallest, but usable vertical handhelds in retro gaming, the Miyoo Mini.
GKD is GKDifferent
The comapny separates itself from Miyoo’s offering by featuring an entire aluminum build in a slightly smaller form, while the Miyoo Mini has better viewing angles, a slightly larger body, and support for the always-improving OnionOS.
GKD Pixel 2 is a tiny lil’ thing.
Before both the Pixel and the Bubble, GKD created the Mini Plus, a device that held onto the small form factor of the GKD Mini but allowed users to buy an optional dual-analog stick chin for the console.
The company has a history of releasing other devices that follow more standard designs we see in retro handhelds. The GKD Mini Plus Classic has a 3.5-inch screen with a 640 x 480 resolution and permanently adds the analog sticks to the base body design, and the GKD Bubble is heavily inspired by the footprint left by the original Game Gear.
The Little Ain’t So Little
GKD is now readying its next device, the GKD Little. The Little is said to feature the same screen found in the KTR1, rumored Powkiddy RGB50, Â and the upcoming AYANEO Pocket ACE. It comes in at 4.5 inches with a 1620 x 1080 resolution at a 3:2 aspect ratio.
The aspect ratio does make it perfect for GBA games, but the resolution leaves it shy of perfect integer scaling, only allowing for 6.75x scaling on Game Boy Advance titles. However, cramming such a high resolution into a 4.5-inch screen would still net great visuals when compared to similar screens that only offer 5x integer scaling via a 720p resolution, for example.
We’ve Seen This Before… or Not?
It’s also worth highlighting that just 6 months ago, a rumored handheld, the ZPG Little A1, was leaked via NITTRX, but that handheld has seemingly been scrapped in favor of this new, longer GKD Little. The base design and coloring seem to be the same, but the screen is noticeably longer to account for its 3:2 aspect ratio over the assumed 4:3 in the pic shown below.
ZPG Little A1 Leak via NITTRX
While renders of the device are all that we have to work off of, the form of the device looks to prioritize ergonomics whereas other GKD handhelds have mostly had their eyes focused on build quality. That’s not to assume the same build quality expectations are not to be expected in the upcoming Little, but the shown slope allowing for fingers to rest more comfortably along the backside of the device is a key marker of halfway decent ergonomics.
GKD is aiming to offer the handheld next to competition that comes in a variety of handheld classes. Powkiddy typically aims for more budget-friendly options, and the same could be assumed of their upcoming RGB50. AYANEO is the polar opposite, consistently aiming for premium build quality that has a price to match. Where GKD will slot their device in amongst the competition has yet to be seen, but is sure to introduce excitement within the retro handheld space.
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