The Analogue Pocket Retro Gaming System Has Been Delayed Again

Analogue Pocket customers who hoped to receive their devices soon have received bad news, as the gaming hardware brand announces it expects well delays into 2021.

Analogue Pocket Delayed Until October 2021

Any hopes you had of grabbing your Analogue Pocket any time soon have now faded, as an Analogue.co announcement reveals Pocket production is currently suffering a delay, and we can’t expect shipping until October 2021.

Analogue revealed the same news via Twitter:

As you can see, the Pocket creator is apologetic about the situation. In fact, it would seem that there is very little the hardware developer can do about the situation.

Why Is the Analogue Pocket Delayed?

Unfortunately, the Pocket is experiencing a delay for much the same reason as most other electronic hardware manufacturers are; electronic component shortages and problems with logistics.

The announcement from Analogue explains (albeit briefly) why the Pocket won’t be with us until at least October 2021.

The current global state of affairs continues to create supply chain challenges outside of our control. There have been sudden and severe electrical component shortages as well as logistical issues leading to a domino effect of challenges for nearly everyone in the industry.

So, it seems Analogue, and its customers are in the same boat as everyone else. Hopefully, a resolution will soon be in sight for everyone involved.

What Is Analogue Doing About the Delay?

To be fair, there isn’t a great deal Analogue can do. It says:

We’re working hard to get Pocket out as fast as possible and we appreciate your understanding and patience. An email is being sent to everyone who pre-ordered Pocket. If you have any questions about your pre-order or would like to cancel at anytime for a full refund, please contact Analogue Support…

At least Analogue is offering a full refund at any stage. But is that enough for customers who have invested in Pocket and still received nothing? Probably not…

Pocket Customers Aren’t Happy About the Delay

Analogue’s tweet and announcement both cited sudden electronic component shortage and logistical issues as reasons for delay. However, the operative here is the word “sudden”, i.e. Analogue didn’t expect this situation.

Despite this, customers remain resolutely unamused by these latest developments. Responses on Twitter don’t hold back, but is this reaction justified?

In some ways, yes. Investors in the Pocket have still to receive their device a year on. They will naturally feel hard-done by. And who could blame them, a year is a long time to wait.

However, we need to consider this on a wider scale. Supply chain issues have been a problem for the past twelve months thanks to COVID, with the situation barely improving during that period.

Buyers should perhaps show a little more patience, with this in mind.

Whatever your opinion on the matter, if supply chain is to blame then there really isn’t anything Analogue can do about it, as unfortunate as that may be.

What Is the Analogue Pocket?

The handheld device can play cartridges from a wide range of devices, much like the recently announced RetroArch cartridge adaptor. Rather than playing grey-area ROMs via an emulator, as RetroArch does, a cartridge adaptor plays directly from original console cartridges.

The difference being the Pocket is an all-in-one device, so comes with a screen and built-in controls. In actual fact, it looks not wholly dissimilar to a Game Boy. It can even play original Game Boy carts!

Did You Pre-Order a Pocket?

If so, we’re sorry that circumstances out of your control have delayed the delivery of your handheld. Waiting for anything you’ve invested money in can understandably be a drag.

However, we all need to understand that delays of this nature take place, and particularly so in the current climate. In the meantime, there are plenty of other ways to get your retro fix.

Source: makeuseof.com