Review: AYANEO Pocket Micro is reminiscent of GBA Micro Gaming

The AYANEO Remake series is very attractive. Each product is inspired by a retro console or hand heldfrom powerbanks and mini PCs to Android devices. The AYANEO Pocket Micro is the newest product and you’d be forgiven for confusing it GBA Micro in a blink of an eye. However, despite being inspired by that comfortable and space-saving design, it’s still a powerful, solid system that positions itself as the pinnacle of Android gaming’s potential.

While AYANEO official website describes the Pocket Micro as “an exquisite toy you won’t want to put down,” the first thing that struck me when I opened my bag was how heavy it was. It felt extremely sturdy and substantial when I took it out of the box. The front is covered with shiny and clear glass, and the aluminum shell has the perfect weight. It’s not so heavy that I find it difficult to play for long periods of time, but the design makes it comfortable to put it in my purse when I go somewhere.

Also, although I describe the AYANEO Pocket Micro as looking like a GBA Micro, it’s much more comfortable than Nintendo’s handheld ever was. The power button is recessed and allows fingerprint unlocking, so I found it never accidentally turned on and felt safe using the Android system with access to all my accounts without Don’t worry about being intruded by others. The GBA Micro has always been a device that, although I enjoyed it, I stopped playing as often as I got older because the controls no longer felt comfortable in my hand. Everything is perfectly balanced here. The analog stick is comfortably resistant, has exemplary precision, and has excellent grip without adding any additional caps to the joystick. The placement of the four trigger buttons is quite intuitive, and I appreciated the number of additional inputs available along the bottom and side edges of the Android handset for checking the status of things, going to the main menu, or “ out” immediately. ” to exit the program.

In terms of power, I found the AYANEO Pocket Micro to be quite capable. It has Helio G99 processor. It plays any game I play flawlessly. The screen has a resolution of 960×640 with native color IPS so everything looks bright and clear. With just one click, I can test the performance of whatever title I’m playing to see frame rates, adjust fans, and switch to different performance modes when needed. Overall, I found the “balanced” option to be best, but have switched to the “game” option for HoYoVerse titles. That menu’s Controller option also makes it easy to start tweaking things and tailoring the experience based on your preferences in each title.

Speaking of gaming, I was also extremely impressed with the AYANEO Pocket Micro’s compatibility with various programs and devices. While I wasn’t able to test Xbox Remote Play, I did play quite a few PS5 games with it. While the size of the text is an issue, it works perfectly with the app and I experienced no lag or crashes thanks to my Android device and home internet. It also pairs extremely well with Crunchyroll game library. Special, Blossom Tales II, Yohane the Parhelion, and are all things I appreciate. Captain Velvet Meteor And Wolfstrip Sadly, playing is a bit uncomfortable due to the text size. HoYoVerse games like Genshin Impact And Honkai: Star Railway Worked exceptionally well on it! But again, text size can be an issue, and it’s annoying that the mobile versions of those games don’t remember that I’m selecting the controller support option after doing so for a while. time. The only game I wanted to play here but couldn’t, was FFVII was in crisis. It’s not a big deal because there are many other avenues for that.

Speaking of minor inconveniences, I only had one issue with my AYANEO Pocket Micro, and it was an extremely minor one. If I let the battery drain completely, something that happened twice because I used it heavily and left it in my purse, then recharged it and started it up, the handset would boot up with the Internet turned off. I had to pull down the touchscreen menu to turn the WiFi back on. But again, I feel this is an energy saving move and not any defect! It’s something I haven’t gotten around to customizing yet, so I’m just mentioning it so that if others find themselves in my position, they’ll know how to flip the toggle back in the menu.

Since this is an Android-specific handset, that also means it’s incredibly easy to set up and use. As soon as I picked it up, I quickly went through my Google Play library and added any compatible games. (By the way, Square Enix’s The ultimate illusion games and older titles like Forager runs like a dream on it.) I instantly had all the apps ready and customized to my liking within a few hours. It all feels comfortable and familiar, and it was easier to find my footing and stability than with many PCs I’ve set up over the years.

I am continually impressed with the AYANEO Pocket Micro. I didn’t realize how much this handheld could handle my mobile gaming. I was falling incredibly behind Non-Zen Zone, and now I’m hooked. I’ve never actually touched my Crunchyroll Game Library subscription and I’m currently playing the titles there. I picked it up Stardew Valley — again — in preparation for the 1.6 mobile update. It’s a truly versatile and comfortable handheld, one that I always feel safe carrying with me thanks to its battery life, build and capabilities, and I’m pleasantly surprised by how AYANEO did well with this device.

AYANEO pocket microphone project is on Indiegogo.

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