Review: AYANEO Pocket Micro Calls to Mind GBA Micro Gaming

The AYANEO Remake line is fascinating. Each product is inspired by a retro console or handheld, from powerbanks and mini PCs to Android devices. The AYANEO Pocket Micro is the latest, and you’d be forgiven if you’d mistake it for a GBA Micro at a glance. However, while it is inspired by that comfortable and space-saving design, this is a robust, sturdy system that stands on its own as a potential pinnacle of Android gaming.

While AYANEO’s official site describes the Pocket Micro as “a delicate plaything you won’t want to put down,” the first thing that struck me when I opened mine is how substantial it is. It felt extremely sturdy and substantial when I took it out of the box. The glass paneled front is shiny and clear, and the aluminum case has a perfect amount of weight. It’s not so heavy that I felt I’d have trouble playing it over long periods of time, but the design is such that I did feel comfortable putting it in my purse when heading out somewhere. 

Also, while I described the AYANEO Pocket Micro as looking like a GBA Micro, it is far more comfortable than Nintendo’s handheld ever was. The power button is recessed and allows for fingerprint unlocking, so I found it never turned on inadvertently and felt safe taking an Android system that does have access to all my accounts out without worrying about anyone else cracking into it. The GBA Micro was always a device that, while I enjoyed, I stopped playing as frequently as I got older due to the controls not being comfortable in my hands. Everything is perfectly proportioned here. The analog sticks have a comfortable amount of resistance to them, featured exemplary accuracy, and had a great grip without adding any additional covers to the thumbsticks. The placement of the four trigger buttons is quite intuitive, and I appreciated how many additional inputs are available along the bottom edge and side of the Android handheld to check on the status of things, head to the main menu, or have an instant “out” to back out of programs. 

In terms of power, I found the AYANEO Pocket Micro to be quite capable. It has a Helio G99 processor. It played any game I threw at it perfectly. The screen is a 960×640 one with IPS original color, so everything looked bright and clear. With a click of a button, I could check the performance of any title I was playing to see the framerate, adjust the fan, and switch to a different performance mode when needed. I found the “balance” option was best in general, but did swap to the “game” one for HoYoVerse titles. The Controller option of that menu also made it easy to start adapting things and adjusting experiences based on preference in each title.

Speaking of gaming, I was also incredibly impressed with just how compatible the AYANEO Pocket Micro is with different programs and devices. While I couldn’t test Xbox Remote Play, I did play quite a few PS5 games with it. Though the size of the text was an issue, it worked perfectly with the app and I experienced no lag or issues thanks to the Android device and my home internet. It’s also paired incredibly well with the Crunchyroll Game Library. In particular, Blossom Tales II, Yohane the Parhelion, and are all ones I highly recommend. Captain Velvet Meteor and Wolfstride are a bit uncomfortable to play, due to the text size, sadly. HoYoVerse games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail work exceptionally well on it! Though again, the text size might be an issue and it is frustrating when the mobile versions of those games won’t remember I’m selecting the controller-supported option after doing so once. The only game I wanted to play on here, but couldn’t, is FFVII Ever Crisis. Which is no big deal, since there are plenty of other avenues for that.

Speaking of minor inconveniences, I’ve only experienced one issue with my AYANEO Pocket Micro, and it’s an incredibly minor one. If I would let the battery completely die, something that happened twice due to how much I’ve been using it and keeping it in my purse, then recharged it and started, the handheld would start with the internet turned off. I’d have to drag down the menu on the touchscreen to turn WiFi on again. But again, I feel like this is more of an energy-saving move and not any sort of defect! It’s something I haven’t gotten around to customizing, so I mention it only so if others find themselves in my position, they know to flip the in-menu toggle again.

As this is a dedicated Android handheld, it also means it is incredibly easy to set up and use. Immediately after I picked it up, I was quickly going through my Google Play library and adding any compatible game. (By the way, Square Enix’s Final Fantasy games and older titles like Forager run like a dream on it.) I immediately had all of the apps ready to go and customized to my liking within the span of a few hours. There’s a certain comfort and familiarity to it all, and it was easier to find my footing and be settled than it was with many PCs I’ve set up over the years. 

I’m constantly impressed with the AYANEO Pocket Micro. I didn’t realize how much of my mobile gaming could be covered by this handheld. I’d gotten incredibly behind in Zenless Zone Zero, and now I’m caught up. I never really touched my Crunchyroll Games Library subscription, and now I’m playing the titles there. I picked up Stardew Valley — again — to prepare for the 1.6 mobile update. It’s really such a fluid and comfortable handheld, one that I feel safe carrying with me at all times due to the battery life, construction, and its capabilities, and I’m amazed with how well AYANEO’s done with this one.

The AYANEO Pocket Micro project is on Indiegogo.