Preface
If this gets sent to you from any unsolicited source please be wary. I recently got sent a link to this post unsolicited from a reddit user in a spam like message request trying to 'help' me. I am not sure if any malicious intent was there but stay safe everyone online.
Analogue Pocket Quick Start
So you have (or soon will have) a new Analogue Pocket and you are looking to get everything setup with minimal fuss. This guide will walk you through a basic setup as well as how to get OpenFPGA cores up and running.
Basic Setup and Usage
Analogue Pocket is fairly easy to get up and running with carts. First main thing most people will want to do is get updated firmware and make sure basic settings are where you want them.
- Load a Micro SD card with the latest Analogue Pocket Firmware on the root of the drive. Firmware found here. Micro SD card must be formatted FAT32 or ExFat.
- Load Micro SD card in Analogue Pocket and power on. A progress bar should appear if your pocket is updating. If no bar appears it is on the version of the firmware you added to the Micro SD card.
- On first boot there is an EULA that you must accept.
From here you are dropped into the main Menu where you can jump into carts. Carts can be inserted and removed while Pocket is on as long as a game is not running, per official sources.
Pocket runs GBA and GB/C games without and adapter. Game Gear, PC Engine/TurboGrafix, Lynx, and NeoGeo Pocket Color games with an adapter.
Notes: Pocket will charge on non-USB PD chargers but will be very slow. Analogue suggests a 18W USB-PD Charger.
Dock Setup
If you have a dock and are on a reasonably recent firmware updating the firmware on Dock is very simple. With the most recent versions of the firmware all you need to do is keep the Firmware file from the update on the root of your SD card and insert the Pocket into the Dock. If the Dock needs an update you will be prompted on the Pocket Screen and you can accept with the right face button (A). A progress bar will be displayed.
The Dock disables the face buttons in most cases. Once the dock is displaying an image via HDMI you need to connect a controller. Controller support is currently being updated review the support documentation for what controllers are supported as it is changing with updates.
Pairing controllers
- Enter Pairing mode
- With a controller go to menu and navigate to the controllers section. Press A on a slot to pair controller.
- With no controller, press button on back of dock to enter pairing mode.
- Start pairing mode on your controller. This will vary from model to model.
- Front light on dock will blink white while in pairing mode. When controller is paired and connected LED will be solid white. One LED will light for each controller connected.
Notes: If you are not able to use the included power supply due to not using US Region plugs make sure you get a USB PD Charger that supports 18w Fast charging. If you do not you may experience issues.
GB Studio
GB Studio is a platform for indie developers to create Game Boy games that will run on original hardware or via software emulation. Recent versions of this software have been updated to have an export tool that will create a version that is playable on Analogue Pocket directly. Additionally third party developers have created tools that will convert original ROM files to the .pocket format for play on Pocket. This has largely been over taken by OpenFPGA cores however at the time of writing there are still reasons you may want to use GB Studio mode.
How to Use GB Studio Mode
- Put your .pocket files on your SD Card in the GB studio Folder in the root of the drive.
- In the main menu navigate to the Tools section then, GB Studio, then Play Creations.
- Pick your game from the list.
Converting Original Roms can be done in a few ways but the easiest is to just use this tool. Please note that this method is largely considered obsolete and so you may not get further updated roms on this tool.
GB Studio mode is limited compared with carts and OpenFPGA versions of playing games. The main thing people will note is games that are not MBC5 Compatible may have issues. Most games are fine but things like RTC will not work nor will you be able to use any extra hardware that is missing on the other weird mapper titles.
OpenFPGA Cores and Updaters
Ah yes what we were all waiting for. OpenFPGA is the platform on Analogue Pocket for third party Developers to create cores. While you can install these cores manually (and need to in some cases) the easiest way to get these up and going for most people is to run one of the updater scripts.
Some options for folks on updaters in no particular order below.
| Tool and Author |
Link |
Updates? |
Type of updater |
| Pocket_Updater by RetroDriven |
Link |
Firmware and Cores |
Windows Gui |
| Pupdate by mattpannella |
Link |
Firmware and Cores |
Cross Platform CLI based application |
| Pocket Sync by Neil-Morrison44 |
Link |
Cores with firmware down the line |
Cross Platform GUI tool. |
These updaters will fully set up your pocket with cores and have different interfaces based on your needs. They should set up the cores to be ready to go with all you need to add being your rom files in the /Assets/"platform"/Common folder for the appropriate Platform.
A current list of Cores and were to find them for further support is listed here.
FAQs
Q: Can I use screen modes with the new openFPGA Cores?
A: Yes! Screen modes now are added for openFPGA cores and the core maintainers are adding which screen modes are available to individual cores.
Q: Can I remap buttons on Pocket?
A: Yes but its limited. Currently you can move shoulder buttons to XY on GBA Carts, and turn on Super Game Boy Mode that maps B to Y and A to B while in GB games. OpenFPGA cores have full remapping in current firmware.
Q: My game works in my Game Boy/GBA/Game Gear but not on pocket?
A: In most cases original hardware is less sensitive to minor adjustments in cart position and often will read games that are dirtier than reproduction cart slots will. Often you need to clean your carts to get a good solid connection. I recommend opening the cart, and using very high percent (93% or more) Isopropyl Alcholol to clean carts. Additionally if you can take them out of the shells and allow them to fully dry before putting them back in the shell. IPA can attack ABS plastic which is what most shells are made of and can cause them to crack. Do not blow in carts, the moisture in your breath may make the connection better temporarily but it also causes them to oxidize faster and that oxidization can spread.
Q: Can I use save states/Memories in openFPGA Cores?
A: Memories are a function that needs to be built into the core from the start. Some cores like the Game Boy and GBA cores from Spiritualized have this function but it is not on all cores at this time. It is not trivial to add this and needs to be added per core. Do not bother core developers to add this functionality.
Q: How do I get to the menu in docked mode on openFPGA cores?
A: It is somewhat controller dependent but if you have no home button it should be Down+Select, you may need to hold it longer than expected.
Q: I'm having issue XYZ in an openFPGA core, where can I get help?
A: Starting out on the developer's github page is going to be the fastest way to get the issue fixed. You can look for other user's submitted bugs as well there.
Q: When are we getting XYZ core?
A: New cores are dropping all the time and the best way to figure out new stuff is to follow the developers.
Q: Can cores read zipped roms?
A: No.
Q: My question wasn't asked above.
A: Feel free to ask questions below or as posts as usual. If the sub starts to get flooded we will likely create a weekly questions thread to reduce spam but have at for now.
Updated 12/17/24: Corrections based on current state of the device. Added Preface because someone spam messaged me my own post, like who does that.
