Random: Aya Neo's Switch-Style Handheld Is Getting A Game Boy Makeover

I wonder who the market for this thing is? At what sector are there targeted?

@EriXz People that want to play PC games on a handheld?

@Folderoll regardless of your answer, how many will she'll out 1k+ to buy this machine in particular?
I wonder

@EriXz Given this, the GPD range and the steamdeck a few different companies think theres enough demand to warrant making them

@RupeeClock It's to try and tug on some thread of nostalgia. I don't think this kind of version works in its favour though - the shape is too far removed from the OG GB for it to appeal in that kind of way. On the other hand, the smaller devices like the Anbernics and the PocketGo do a good job of looking like a GBA enough - so much so I picked up the Anbernic RG351P in Purple as that's the GBA I had 20 years ago - and I love the thing.

It looks more like a competitor to the Steam Deck rather than the Nintendo Switch. I just wonder how long it will be till Ninty start issuing patent infringement legal cases. It like they innovate and no one else can come out with anything original. The Switch is still best at a fraction of the cost. X-D

1200 dollars?! Are they out of their minds?! Not a chance in hell!

Game journalists really need to stop calling every handheld gaming device that uses this from factor, a "Switch like".

@Kit I agree here - it's definitely more on the line of a Steam Deck rather than a Switch. The problem is that it's double the price of the Steam Deck and would have little to no support on the thing.

If they wanted to sell this as a premium product they should be creating their own premium designs, not trying to tap into some kind of nostalgia value like the small handheld emulators do these days.

Swtich v Steam Deck v whatever this is, it's clear that this device doesn't fully stack up to either. I think Switch v Steam Deck will be interesting - it reminds me of PSP v DS days. Competition is a good thing and I hope the SD does well and effect Switch sales as to push Nintendo to innovate more.

@yuwarite It kind of is though right? If someone put this on a table in front of you would you not think 'oh that kinda looks like a Switch'? As the Switch is universally popular it's also easier for someone to describe the device as looking like a Switch instead of saying 'oh it has a large centred screen, surrounded by a d-pad, face buttons, two joysicks and shoulder buttons'

@RupeeClock They are always releasing different models - Unless it's the same shape I don't see them as upgrades or new models. I wouldn't worry about the RG300X, as you said it's likely to just be to use old hardware. I'd guess we'll see a new GBA form factor by the end of the year, though I only got mine last month so I'm not looking for a replacement just yet. I've only just set up my own custom theme and emulators after a week of tinkering.

I'd like fully functioning wifi and a bit more juice for N64 though.

@Folderoll I know!!, crazy uh?

This thing and the Steam Deck don't look like Switches at all, it's really more like a PSP, Vita, Gamegear, or Lynx, with the d-pad on the left of the screen and the buttons attached to the right of the screen. A system with no table-top option, that you can't snap off a controller to play one handed while drinking a beer in the other, or snap off with 2 controllers to pass one to a friend for a round of bowling, mancala, or something.

And the controllers don't snap off so you can punch people in games like ARMS, or attach them for things like Ring Fit Adventure or use them in things like LABO kits, or exchange them with another if part of it fails, or you just want to use something more specific to your game like the SNES or NES controller attachments, plus they have no IR sensor, accelerometers, or gyroscopes, and I'm sure they don't have HD rumble either where you can have games using specific sound frequencies to create certain feelings and touch audio. And all that is fine, but if they are marketing as a Switch-like, it's rather disapointing if you really compare the two and are looking forward to something that acts like a real Switch.

@TheTinfoilTitan No, it's just a form factor that makes sense for any portable gaming device. Same way as how the Game Gear, PSP, Vita, etc, used this form factor.

@Folderoll I want to play PC games on the Steam Deck as soon as it releases. The Nintendo Switch showed me that portability really is my thing.

@yuwarite But not all portables take on this form factor. You can describe it as a handheld because it is one, but that doesn't give someone an idea of its shape or design. Yes, you could also describe it as all of the devices you listed but they are older, and there are adults around now that have never seen many of those. I work with 20 year olds that would have no idea what a Gamegear is.

I could describe it as a vertically designed handheld console to my wife and she would have no idea what I'm talking about. If I said it was a like a Switch she'd know exactly what I'm talking about.

When writing content for webpages, to work their absolute best you have to write for the everyday person. Use popular descriptions, that 90% of users will understand.

Plus this is a Nintendo news website, of course, they will relate it to the Switch. Gotta make sure the their articles appear on peoples Google Discover Feeds for those that have searched those terms before. No one is searching for PSP, Vita or Game Gear compared to Nintendo Switch.

At the end of the day NL aren't gonna stop referring to these as Switch-Like as it's quick and understandable to the masses.

@Drommajin I ordered my steamdeck right away too. Ive always loved handhelds but same for me, very rarely use the tv for switch and can't wait for my steamdeck.

@TheTinfoilTitan PSP sold 80–82 million units worldwide; a lot of people still know what it is in 2021, especially the average enthusiast reader of games websites.

Silly price, looks cheap and the Steam Deck.

@EriXz
The Aya Neo targets the exact same audience as the SteamDeck, but unlike the SteamDeck, it is woefully unaffordable.

What a waste of time, this thing will bomb. At the end of the day power means nothing without games. Nintendo have seen off the competition in the handheld sector since the Gameboy.

With Steam Deck, GPD Win 3, GPD XP, PlayDate, EverCade, Analogue Pocket, and Nintendo Switch OLED just around the corner, we already got the handheld market cover for PC, Androids, retro, and dedicated modern games. Unless you really had no other use for those extra thousands of lottery money you just won, throwing it for this thing like the AYA Neo, OneXPlayer, Ayn Odin, and DragonBox Pyra handhelds may be a good alternatives.

@Gwynbleidd At that price you could already get two Steam Decks, three if you only aim for the cheapest model.

@Folderoll actually for youtubers and instagramers

Everybody else would just play games on their laptop or… switch! ☺️😝

I own the Aya Neo Pro 2021 (they start going out to the rest of the public in mid September) and it’s amazing.

I’m a PC and handheld gamer primarily and this combines both for me. I use it to play a lot of games that aren’t on my Nintendo or retro handhelds. I can play anything Wasteland 3 to Sam and Max Hit the Road. I’m primarily using it to play S/TBRPGs and old school adventure games, but I’ve got Cyberpunk running on it far smoother than it ever has on a PS or Xbox.

This was originally presold about half a year before the Steam Deck was announced. Which is why it is so much more expensive. Think of it like the Saturn and then Sony undercutting the price point with the original PSX/PS1 (abbreviation varies depending on your age)

The target market for this is pretty big. PC gaming is not only a huge worldwide market but it’s also the market with the most disposable income. People happily spend thousands on a custom gaming rig and for something with these specs, that is customizable while letting you play any and all games without being tied down to first party exclusivity - that’s a big deal.

Now, is it going to make me give up my Switch? No. No more than the GBA made me give up my Wonderswan or NGPC. There’s a market for both, they each have their advantages, and the market doesn’t have that much over an overlap. My console based pals aren’t interested in this or the Steam deck. My PC oriented gaming friend are getting one or both.

Looks OK sounds GREAT.......
But there will be a sequel to the Switch!
I'll just wait for that!!

Looks great!!
*notices price, slowly backs away...