Updated

Updated · The Verge · Sep 18

FunnyPlaying Unveils $69.99 FPGB Mini as Smaller Rival to $239.99 Analogue Pocket

Updated

Updated · The Verge · Sep 18

FunnyPlaying Unveils $69.99 FPGB Mini as Smaller Rival to $239.99 Analogue Pocket

Q: Why is this highly anticipated $70 retro handheld being deliberately restricted to a mere 20 units worldwide?

It is being restricted because FunnyPlaying says the FPGB Mini is not fully ready for a wider release. The company told outlets and customers that the first run was limited to just 20 units because “there are still some issues” that need improvement. Early hands-on reports back that up: reviewers praised the design and screen, but also found clear hardware compromises, including trouble fitting some rumble cartridges and a power switch that feels too light or inconsistent. The manual and product details also point to broader compatibility limits with certain non-standard, clone, flash, or unusually shaped cartridges. Timing is another factor. FunnyPlaying said additional stock—roughly 30 to 50 more units—would only be sold after China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn holiday period. That suggests the tiny launch was not mainly a marketing stunt, but a cautious soft release shaped by both unresolved manufacturing or design issues and an imminent holiday slowdown. In practical terms, FunnyPlaying appears to be using the first 20 units as an ultra-small early batch while it refines the hardware and manages production in a niche, low-volume product category. For buyers, that means scarcity is being driven less by hype than by quality-control caution and limited near-term supply.

3 articles · Updated · The Verge · Sep 18

FunnyPlaying’s FPGB Mini plays original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges plus ROMs, packaging FPGA-based playback in a body only slightly wider than a Game Boy cart.
At $69.99 for its first 20-unit batch—down from $89.99—it undercuts the Analogue Pocket, which now costs $239.99 after recent price hikes.
The 2.98-inch 800x720 LCD, 1,800mAh battery and microSD slot add modern features, though the compact design blocks cartridges with rumble motors or other hardware add-ons.
Retro Dodo, which tested the handheld for several days, said more units may follow after hardware improvements, suggesting FunnyPlaying is positioning it as a cheaper, ultra-portable retro handheld option.