"This time, we pay tribute to a true icon" - Ayaneo teases the OG Game Boy Advance remake I've been waiting for

It feels like a given that Ayaneo would make a premium Game Boy Advance clone, but its latest teaser all but confirms plans for an OG remake. Dubbed the Konkr Pocket Advance, the newcomer apparently pays tribute to "a legendary handheld that defined the golden age of portable gaming," and that certainly sounds like Ninty's 2000s portable to me.

In a teaser post, Ayaneo frames the Konkr Pocket Advance as the retro handheld remake fans have been waiting for. "This time, we pay tribute to a true icon," claims the admittedly vague announcement, which almost feels like it's throwing self-shade at the new Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2. That portable instead borrows cues from the Game Boy Micro, just like the same suggests, so all the emphasis on the word "Advance" with this newcomer feels like an obvious nod to the 2001 version.

Of course, since the teaser includes no actual images of the Konkr Pocket Advance, there's no guarantee it's a clone of Nintendo's first 32-bit handheld. The branding ties to a long lineage of models, and we could end up with another clamshell clone of the GBA SP not unlike the Anbernic RG35XXSP. I'm personally hoping that doesn't transpire, as the OG horizontal bat-wing design doesn't get enough love in 2026.

For those of you out of the loop, Konkr now serves as Ayaneo's "budget" handheld brand. It's supposed to serve as a line between affordable Android emulation systems and beefier premium gaming handhelds like the Ayaneo Flip DS. That said, the company has blurred that line with releases like the Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2, as it starts at $239 and places more emphasis on luxury with its CNC shell and Snapdragon 865 chipset.

For the Konkr Pocket Advance to truly "pay tribute to a true icon", it will need to nail a few key things. At the top of that list is price and availability, as handheld fans are already worried the portable will be limited to 100 units just like the Pocket Micro 2. It also needs to aim for the same MSRP range as the Anbernic RG34XX, even if that means sticking with specs that stop at PS1 emulation.

Nailing the "Advance" aesthetic could also make or break the next Konkr handheld. All the hints sound like we're getting a modern Game Boy Advance remake, and if that's the case, getting the details right will be crucial. Ultimately, many players will be looking for something that feels like GBA to use, but boasts a bright and vibrant modern screen paired with elevated controls, and those should be ingredients rather than a completely new formula.

Take a peek at the best retro consoles if you're putting together a classic gaming setup in your living room.