Weeks after the Steam Deck disappeared, Retroid discontinues Pocket G2 "due to ongoing fluctuations in memory pricing"

Things aren't going well at Retroid HQ right now. Only a couple of weeks after the cancellation of the 12GB Retroid Pocket 6, the only slightly cheaper alternative has suffered the same axe swing. The Retroid Pocket G2 has been "temporarily discontinued" due to ongoing component shortages across the industry, a phrase many of the best retro handhelds have come to fear. Not only that, but price increases continue with the Pocket Classic seeing a shift up to $149 from $129.

It's just one of many price surges we've seen in the last few months. Ayn has seen shifting rates on its Odin Thor and Odin 3 devices, with the most expensive jumping up to $489, and the best handheld PCs have seen their own shortages, with the Steam Deck vanishing from Valve's shelves.

The astronomical rise in AI memory manufacturing demands is claiming victims all over the industry right now. Global RAM shortages are increasing prices on new releases all the time, so my advice for now is to hold off on any boosted rates and instead take a look at what's already existing on the market.

Outside of more recent console emulation needs, there are plenty of handhelds already on the ground. Stock of handhelds manufactured before AI gobbled up all the RAM resource is still looking healthy - if you just need to run your favorite pre-PS2 era titles, there's no need to battle with the vibe coders.

The Anbernic RG28XX, for example, will see you through everything released before the PS2, including PS1 and Dreamcast, and comes in at just $39.59 at AliExpress at the moment. It's far from the luxuries on offer from Retroid, but it will see you through while we wait for this bubble to burst.

What about if you do need something a little meatier, though? Well, that's where the Retroid Pocket 6 comes in. It was already in a tricky place compared to the G2, sitting at around $10 more but offering a worthwhile performance boost, 120Hz display upgrade, and a larger battery. Second batch pre-orders for the 8GB RAM version (RIP the aforementioned 16GB model) are live at $244 right now - only $35 more than the far less powerful Retroid Pocket 5 ($209 at Amazon, was $249).

Should you wait for the Retroid Pocket G2?

Retroid has stated that the G2's retirement is only "temporary," but I wouldn't hold my breath for a quick fix here. When (or if) the G2 returns to the shelves, it's likely going to be carrying a little extra RAM weight around the price tag, and considering it's already a little awkward to recommend next to the Pocket 6, it's not going to carry that weight well.

The Pocket 6 has held its own against these price increases, its own allocations of RAM likely being prioritized by the brand. However, we don't know if things will stay that way for long. After all, a number of handhelds have suffered the same fate just this month alone, and things don't look to be slowing down any time soon.

The G2 may have sailed into the night, then. An already-rocky value proposition and climbing component prices have proven too much for the in-betweener, and if it does show its face on the shelves again, it's going to be looking at a very different landscape.

• See all retro handhelds at AliExpress

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