Ayaneo has finally revealed what its Konkr Pocket Advance looks like, and yep, it's a GBA clone. I was holding out for a homage to the original 2001 handheld, and that's exactly what we're getting this time around, but we should probably wait for the specs before getting too hyped.
In yet another teaser, Ayaneo reveals a detailed render of the Konkr Pocket Advance that reveals the entire front. To the untrained eye, it's pretty much exactly like Nintendo's original GBA, complete with a cross d-pad, prominent top triggers, and black bezel framing its widescreen display. However, just like with most modern retro handheld remakes, there's plenty of modern touches here that give the game away.
For instance, you're getting four face buttons rather than two, just like with Anbernic's RG34XX GBA-inspired device. That serves as a reminder that this thing isn't just for running Game Boy Advance romps, as while we don't have a specs list yet, it'll likely emulate at least up to the PS1, or maybe even the GameCube since it borrows its delightful Spiced Orange getup.
Classic never fades with timeA legendary handheld that transcends generationsCarrying the memories of gaming's golden eraNow, it returns with a bold new identityKONKR Pocket Advance 🎮An icon reborn in your handsClassic nostalgia. Retro reimaginedMore to come. Stay tuned🔥 pic.twitter.com/BjWLd01iwsJuly 17, 2026
Other details, like the two extra menu buttons on the right and the embossed Konkr logo at the bottom, all give the jig up too. What's perhaps more subtle when not next to a real GBA is the handheld's overall size difference, as this portable wields a larger screen. I'm not convinced it's the same 6-inch display as the existing Konkr Pocket Fit, as the aspect ratio, but if the faux Famicom controllers in the render are also to scale, we could be looking at something around 5 inches based on comparative measurements.
Keep in mind these teaser images only reveal the front, so it's hard to get a sense of its complete design. You can just about see a USB-C port at the bottom for charging, a microSD card flap on the left, and a volume wheel on the right, meaning we do know where all the main IO resides. I'm pretty sure there's a 3.5mm headphone jack next to that aforementioned wheel too, which could leave the top completely clear for additional USB-C ports or a dedicated HDMI.
I'd imagine that the rear will be kept relatively clear for cooling vents, but I'm curious to see whether Ayaneo has messed with the OG GBA design in the name of ergonomics. In theory, it could get away with adding some subtle grips without changing the overall vibe, even if many would argue against anything but a flat back panel.
Going by first impressions alone, the Konkr Pocket Advance looks to be a faithful homage to the real Game Boy Advance. The entire vibe is in line with Ninty's original vision, and it even avoids neglecting purely aesthetic elements like the plastic molding on the sides. Ayaneo should consider my interests firmly piqued, and I'll be patently waiting to see if its eventual specs and price tag make it a no-brainer for OG GBA nerds.
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