However, despite the nostalgic wonders the Analogue Pocket brings, one thing that may deter some from picking it up is that the device only accepts physical cartridges. Of course, this is no big deal for players who have access to their old game cartridges or for those whose parents have a sealed copy of Pokemon Blue lying around. However, for players who don’t have cartridges on hand, the Analogue Pocket doesn’t do much apart from other features that are not related to gaming.
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Why the Analogue Pocket May Need Digital Games
It is no secret that retro gaming has spiked in popularity for the past few years. Apart from third-party companies like Analogue Inc., gaming giants such as Nintendo have since re-released new models of past consoles. However, what sets Analogue Pocket apart is that it doesn’t use emulation to run games, and it doesn’t have a limited library of titles for players to choose from.
Instead, the Analogue Pocket works like the original Game Boy and other retro consoles it supports. As previously mentioned, this is not a problem for players who have access to original game cartridges, but those who don’t are forced to seek alternative solutions: resellers. Unfortunately, the market for used Game Boy cartridges is a bit of a mess right now, given the abundance of fake game carts and the rarity of original ones in good condition.
Not to mention, Game Boy and Game Boy Color games have batteries inside that let players save their games, and given that these carts have been in existence for many decades now, chances are these batteries are either dead or on their way to dying. Given this, while physical cartridges make the retro gaming experience as authentic as possible, the lack of a digital storefront poses a big problem for those interested in purchasing the Analogue Pocket but have no access to original game cartridges.
Is a Digital Storefront for Analogue Pocket Even Possible?
Technically speaking, it appears that it is possible for Analogue Pocket to run retro digital games. However, as previously mentioned, the Analogue Pocket doesn’t emulate games through software. Instead, it houses customizable chips that replicate the transistors found in retro consoles. However, it is worth knowing that the Analogue Pocket does have an operating system called Analogue OS that allows players to create save states with cartridges, make playlists, track game stats, have access to a game’s history and guides, and it can even tell whether a cartridge is an original or bootleg. Given this, there is a possibility that Analogue Inc. could develop an emulation software and make it available to Analogue Pocket owners via emulation.
While there is a possibility for digital games to be played via emulation, the Analogue Pocket still faces enormous obstacles. First, Analogue Inc. doesn’t own any of the games that the device is capable of running, which means that it would have to obtain licenses from concerned parties for it to be able to sell digital games legally. Without these licenses, emulating games on the Analogue Pocket would undoubtedly lead the company to all sorts of legal trouble.
In the end, players who do not have immediate access or aren’t willing to hunt down mint condition original cartridges will be disappointed that the possibility of the Analogue Pocket having a digital storefront is slim. However, it is worth remembering that the Analogue Pocket was not created to be an emulation device. Instead, similar to music enthusiasts who prefer vinyl over anything else, the Analogue Pocket was made to capture the authentic experience of retro gaming by offering players a high-quality handheld console with modern features.
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