Analogue Pocket
Image: Analogue

Thanks to the current pandemic, more of us are relying on online retailers than ever, and whilst we can't always use traditional retailers, scalping has gotten worse. Between recent drama surrounding the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S launches, Switch supply problems and even McDonalds happy meals, nothing is safe from greedy resellers.

The Analogue Pocket has seen similar supply issues too, going up for pre-order in August 2020 before selling out in several minutes. Offering an FPGA-based setup, it can play over 2,780 Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games, and has become highly sought after.

As fans patiently await the second flood of Pocket pre-orders, Analogue confirmed its supply chain had been impacted by the global pandemic, releasing a new announcement earlier today:

The current global state of affairs has resulted in consequences that have affected the worldwide supply chain and this has temporarily slowed our ability to keep many of our products in stock (Super Nt, Mega Sg) and reduced production capacity for Pocket. We are aware that many users are frustrated that Pocket pre-orders sold out quickly and both Super Nt and Mega Sg are currently unavailable.

Pocket is not a Limited Edition product. See below for a description of all terminology Analogue products are presented in. More Pockets will be available for purchase in 2021. With all things considered, we will be doing our best to keep Pocket in stock in 2021. Please sign up for a Stock Notification at analogue.co/store and you will be sent an email when Pocket will be available to purchase.

Bear with us during these unusual times and know that we're doing our best to get everything in stock or available for pre-order as soon as possible.

Within this announcement, Analogue outlined measures it is taking to tackle scalpers and bots. Without specifying the exact technology used, the announcement simply confirmed it will be implementing "robust bot protection" to prevent bots from making purchases, and cancelling those orders which do slip through.

As for scalpers, Analogue plans to actively monitor resale websites like eBay, reporting any pre-order listings it spots. How effective this will be is another matter, but considering widespread frustrations with these resellers, it's reassuring Analogue is taking these steps.

[source engadget.com, via support.analogue.co]