SNK Neo Geo PocketClassic Handheld
Classic HandheldDiscontinued
SNK Neo Geo Pocket
SNK · Released Oct 1998 · Original (mono)
SNK's original monochrome pocket handheld, famous for its clicky microswitch stick and 40-hour battery — soon eclipsed by the Colour.
7.5
out of 10
$69
Launch price $69
Pros
- +Superb clicky microswitched directional stick
- +Around 40 hours on two AA batteries
- +Solid early library
- +Pocketable and well-built
Cons
- −Monochrome only
- −Quickly replaced by the Colour model
- −Limited Western release
What can it play?
Emulation performance by platform, based on real-world testing.
Full speedPlayableLimitedNot supported
Neo Geo PocketFull speed
Full specifications
Hardware
- Chipset (SoC)
- Toshiba TLCS-900H + Z80
- CPU
- 16-bit TLCS-900H @ 6.144 MHz (+ Z80)
- GPU
- Integrated 2D
- RAM
- 12 KB
- Storage
- Cartridge Neo Geo Pocket ROM cartridge
- Weight
- 110 g
- Dimensions
- 131 x 75 x 25 mm
- Cooling
- Passive
Display
- Size
- 2.6″
- Resolution
- 160x152
- Panel
- Reflective monochrome LCD
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Touchscreen
- No
Battery & Connectivity
- Battery
- 1000 mAh
- Real-world life
- ~40 hours
- Wi-Fi
- None
- Bluetooth
- None
- Ports
- Link cable, 3.5mm headphone
- Expandable storage
- No
Controls
- Analog sticks
- 0
- D-pad
- Yes
- Face buttons
- Yes
- Analog triggers
- No
- Gyroscope
- No
- Hall effect sticks
- No
Software & custom firmware
Ships with: None (cartridge-booted)
Also plays natively: Neo Geo Pocket (mono) cartridges
No third-party custom firmware tracked for this device.
Our verdict
Value7.6
Build8.4
Screen5.5
Performance6.0
The original monochrome Neo Geo Pocket introduced the brand's beloved microswitched directional stick and astonishing 40-hour battery life, with a likeable early library of fighting and puzzle games. It was monochrome and short-lived — SNK replaced it with the Colour within months — but as the device that started the Neo Geo Pocket story it is a neat collectible.