When high-tech console maker Analogue opened pre-orders for its beautiful Game Boy-inspired handheld, the Pocket, the laptop sold out almost instantly. The $ 199.99 device, which plays Neo Geo Pocket Color, Atari Lynx and Sega Game Gear games, as well as several generations of Game Boy titles, was highly coveted, but in short supply. People who didn’t guarantee an Analogue Pocket pre-order were, to say the least, upset.
But Analogue said in an update on Monday that it plans to make (and sell) more Pocket handhelds and emphasized that the multifunctional notebook was never intended to be a limited edition item. Analogue wants to do more, but has pointed to supply problems caused by the “current global state of affairs” – also known as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“More pockets will be available for purchase in 2021,” said Analogue. “With all things considered, we will do our best to keep the Pocket in stock in 2021.” The company suggested signing up for a stock notification at its online store.
In addition, Analogue said it is taking “careful actions to deal with bots” and money changers who are reselling pre-orders for their devices on sites like eBay.
“Analogue will implement robust bot protection in the Analog Store,” said the company. “This should significantly protect against bots during product launches at the Analog Store and ensure that real users can purchase analog products. All orders placed using bots will be canceled and your inventory will be allocated to real users. “
The company said it also plans to monitor retail sites, like eBay, to see if sellers are placing their own orders. Analogue plans to report money changers and cancel any pre-orders found to be listed for resale.
Analogue announced Pocket in the fall of 2019. Analogue Pocket runs Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges out of the box and can play games from other portable systems with cartridge adapters. The handheld device was originally scheduled to launch in 2020, but was postponed to May 2021 before orders were published.