Over the past decade, hardware manufacturer Analogue has made a name for itself in the retro gaming space by creating what are essentially modernized versions of beloved systems from yesteryear. Authenticity is at the heart of Analogue’s approach to offering an improved gaming experience that gels with modern technology. Aesthetically, Analogue hardware tends to pay homage to the original with sleek, understated designs. The Super Nt (SNES) and Mega Sg (Genesis) are prime examples of this, as were the black and white launch models of the Analogue Pocket, the manufacturer’s first handheld.
With the special-edition Pocket Glow, Analogue has leaned into the quirkiness and memorability of the Game Boy era from a design perspective. As you’ll see below, we would be lucky to get more gaming hardware that looks this cool.
The Pocket Glow shines before it actually shines. The shell’s pale green hue stands out and, based on my limited time with it so far, hides fingerprints and smudges better than the original black model (and most other modern handhelds). It’s an eye-catching device that captures that similar magic and originality that marked the Nintendo of the late ’90s and early aughts.