My favorite retro handheld just dropped to under $50 ahead of Prime Day
I'm once again asking you to buy a Super Pocket
The Super Pocket is already an incredibly affordable retro handheld, but Amazon just kicked the Taito version down to a new record-low price ahead of Prime Day. For under $50, you can now grab a portable that offers up old-school Game Boy vibes while having access to a plethora of Evercade cartridges. Simply put, this tiny isn’t just a novelty gadget, and I think everyone should have one to hand.
Over at Amazon right now, the Super Pocket is now available for just $47.99 (was $59.99). I actually think the best gaming handheld contender is fantastic value even at full price, but this latest offer should be enough to win more of you over. It’s worth noting that this deal applies specifically to the green and black Taito version, which just so happens to be my favorite model. The Capcom edition is still sadly sitting at full price for now, so keep that in mind if you prefer punching cars to bubble bobbling.
It’s worth noting that the Capcom version did drop to $42 back in March. However, the deal was brief and felt like an extraordinary one-off, as I haven’t spotted any Super Pocket models for that price since. For the sake of $6, it’s probably worth taking advantage of this current offer rather than waiting for that record low to return, as there’s no guarantee that’ll apply to the Taito edition or any other variant down the road.
Super Pocket (Taito Edition) | $59.99 $47.99 at Amazon
Save $12 - The affordable Super Pocket just got even cheaper thanks to a 20% discount, and it's a new record low for the Taito edition specifically. While the Capcom version did manage to drop slightly lower back in March, this is still an exceptional offer worth jumping on.
Buy it if:
✅ You love arcade classics
✅ You like to collect physical games
✅ You prefer low-key retro and indie games
Don't buy it if:
❌ You'd prefer a bigger screen
❌ You want something that connects to the TV
Price check: Best Buy $51.99 | Walmart $65.12
UK: £49.99 at Amazon
Should you buy a Super Pocket?
With Prime Day Steam Deck deals around the corner, I know many of you will have big portable spending plans. That’s not something I object to, as handheld gaming PCs and even consoles like the Nintendo Switch will provide a stellar on-the-go experience. That said, for less than the price of many new-release games, the Super Pocket can provide hours of entertainment, and while retro console romps are its specialty, you soon won’t be restricted to 2D outings.
That’s right, thanks to new Evercade Giga carts, you’ll soon be able to play 3D classics like Tomb Raider on the Super Pocket. Yes, I know even Nokia’s failed range of N-Gage gaming phones could do that, but I believe it’ll open the door to more modern releases on the handheld. We’ve already been graced with a bunch of great indie capers on Blaze’s compact console line-up, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume more advanced releases will become a thing on Evercade.
Of course, even if the Super Pocket and Evercade do primarily stick to 2D games, I reckon that’ll be enough to please most of you out there. Not only is there an Atari woodgrain version on the way, but Blaze continually releases new cartridges for its ecosystem, so you’ll be able to continue building up a physical collection without resorting to emulation. Sure, I know there are benefits to picking up something like the Anbernic RG35XX Plus and loading it with ROMs, but the Super Pocket’s simplicity means it's far more approachable.
In any case, if you’ve been holding off on picking up the Taito Super Pocket specifically, now’s your chance to grab a pre-Prime Day bargain. If you prefer to keep things authentic, you might want to check out this Game Boy Color AMOLED touchscreen mod instead, as I used it to breathe life into Nintendo’s ‘90s hardware.
Looking for more summer savings? Swing by Prime Day TV deals and Prime Day monitor deals for discounted displays. Alternatively, take a peek at Prime Day tablet deals if you need a new entertainment device.
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I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.