Retro Handhelds Get a Low‑Cost FPGA Boost
Classic revivals of retro clamshell handhelds are all the rage right now, but a GBA SP FPGA created by SuperStation One’s Taki Udon could change everything. While devices like the Analogue Pocket already let you run real Game Boy Advance cartridges, Retro Remake’s founder is working on a sub‑$100 FPGA-powered alternative that could outprice emulation‑only machines.
In a recent post titled “my passion project was updated,” the prototype makes its second public appearance this year. After an earlier September demo featuring Diddy Kong Racing on a Nintendo 64 clone, the latest video shows the clamshell running Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, indicating it is being configured specifically for Game Boy Advance emulation. “We’ve made a lot of progress on FPGBA SP,” Udon says, adding that the device plays real cartridges and that a regular FPGBA version is under consideration, with a target price near $100.
If the price holds, the handheld could give competitors such as the Konkr Pocket Advance, the $129.99 Ayaneo Android clone, and the sub‑$60 Anbernic RG SP a run for their money. Unlike most emulation‑based clones, this FPGA design supports physical cartridges and could even drive MiSTer cores for N64 games, making it a more versatile option.
It should be noted that this is not a confirmed new handheld; it remains a passion project that may become reality if the prototype’s development aligns. Still, the existence of a functioning Game Boy in the demo suggests that other manufacturers should keep an eye on the market.
For a glimpse of what’s next, check out the trailers for a potential FPGA SNES console that will be offered in both NTSC and PAL versions.
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