Details of Analogue OS have been revealed, the operating system that will underpin the forthcoming Analogue Pocket handhelds.
Analogue’s range of devices are made possible by FPGA (Field-programmable gate array), essentially a programmable chip. The same technology that has made a whole host of retro gaming platforms and enhancements possible, FPGA eliminates many problems usually encountered with emulation.
Like the Analogue Pocket, Analogue OS is designed to let you explore video game history, letting you play any physical game, save game states, create and share playlists, track gameplay, and even develop your own FPGA cores.
Box Art and More
Analogue OS brings a slick, “player” dimension to retro gaming, letting you add box art, game title screens, or artwork in order to showcase your games. Playlists let you access your favorite games faster, and the playlists can also be shared. Gameplay tracking, memories, save states, screenshots, and more are all possible (some of these features will come in Analogue OS 1.1).
Also supported is display optimization, from device screen to the Analogue Dock, which lets you connect lag free to a 1080p HDMI display, or even to a CRT for an authentic retro gaming experience (or in their words “video game history experience”).
With wired and wireless support, Analogue OS delivers original display modes that recreate at a subpixel level the look and feel of original displays (such as the Game Boy Color, Game Gear, etc.)
So, while news remains sparse concerning the release of the hotly-anticipated Analogue Pocket, Analogue OS at least looks like it will provide decent experience.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.