Some of the most interesting features promised for the analog pocket did not make the cut when the console was finally shipped late last year, but today in a brief blog post, the company revealed that Pocket OS v1. 1 will be officially available from July. , although initially as a public beta for those who like to live dangerously.
The analog pocket differs from other handheld consoles capable of playing retro games through the use of custom hardware that reproduces almost perfectly the electronics found in classic laptops such as the Nintendo Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Sega Game Gear . The emulation can be notoriously flawed and imperfect, but the Pocket not only offers a flawless gaming experience, but makes retro games look better than ever, with a high-resolution screen that even recreates the look. of the older screens.
As with many highly anticipated devices over the past two years, the Pocket has been repeatedly delayed as a result of supply chain issues related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but Analogue kept those who had booked the console satisfied with a handful. of unannounced feature releases that would be available through future software updates. It was initially expected to be released earlier this year shortly after Pocket began shipping, with the Pocket OS v1.1 update now arriving in July and bringing with it three highly anticipated features.
The library will turn the analog pocket into the “ultimate academic database for all video game history,” with a new database that provides detailed information about portable games, including specific data about games with multiple versions, such as The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, which has 18 different variants. The pocket will let users know exactly which version of a game cartridge they are playing when inserted, which is a feature that will also be useful for testing cartridges to confirm whether they are genuine or fake.
The v1.1 update will also include tools for developers who want to take advantage of the second FPGA chip in Analogue Pocket, but not currently in use, potentially expanding other console games that can be played on the laptop. There will also be a feature called Memories: an advanced way to save a player’s progress anytime, anywhere in the game, and then allow players to share those saves with other players. Memories will also make it easier to capture and share screenshots, and we’re crossing our fingers because, as promised earlier, v1.1 will also provide an easy way for Game Boy camera fans to take the screenshots. your accessory snapshots using the Pocket microSD memory card slot.