Hello everyone, this is Arthur!

As a lifelong gamer who grew up playing all kinds of handheld consoles and spending countless hours in arcades, I share the same unforgettable gaming memories as many of you.

I still remember those days in the arcade. The moment a game token dropped into the slot with a satisfying click, the world outside seemed to disappear behind that heavy metal cabinet. The CRT screen buzzed softly with electricity, and as soon as the character selection screen appeared, my fingers instinctively started moving across the joystick and buttons. The air was filled with the smell of snacks and sweat, mixed with background music from nearby machines and the sounds of players mashing buttons to unleash their special moves. Everything blended into a chaotic symphony, yet somehow you barely noticed any of it. Your entire focus was on the character in front of you. The classic IGS arcade games are not vague childhood memories—they are vivid, passionate chapters of our youth.

For players across the Chinese-speaking world, it is impossible to overstate the significance of IGS. Just like Capcom and SNK, IGS classics accompanied us throughout our childhood. Titles such as Knights of Valour, Oriental Legend, The Gladiator, and Dragon World were not distant legends imported from overseas; they were stories born from our own culture. They were more than simply fun—they created a profound cultural connection and emotional resonance. Then, as time passed, the arcade era faded away. Those summers we once believed would never end suddenly came to an end. Yet I have always felt that these classics, which shaped the childhoods of countless players, deserve a better way to return. That idea took root in my heart and continued to grow over the years.

Over the years, I became the CEO of AYANEO and had the privilege of creating a wide range of gaming handhelds—from Windows-based devices to Android handhelds, dozens of products large and small that blend nostalgia with innovation and embody my personal vision of gaming. Yet every now and then, my thoughts still drift back to that arcade filled with passion and unforgettable memories. That is why I decided to create a handheld centered around classic IGS games. To me, this project is a handwritten letter delivered more than twenty years late—a tribute to that golden era and to everyone who, like me, happily “wasted” their youth in the arcade.

Fortunately, we found a partner who shared the same vision. Arcade Home is not only the holder of the copyrights to these classic IGS games; more importantly, they are genuine gamers just like us. We immediately connected and agreed to bring IGS classics back into players’ hands through a handheld that combines premium craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and authentic retro spirit. That is how the AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini × Arcade Home Limited Edition came to life.

This collaboration is built upon the beloved AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini, a handheld whose popularity and success speak for themselves. For this special edition, we completely reimagined its color scheme and overall design language. The moment you pick it up, it instantly transports you back to an era filled with passion, excitement, and dreams.

Retro Soul — The Classic Red & Gold Limited Edition Colorway. We went through countless iterations to perfect this combination, with sample after sample covering our workbench. Why so much attention to detail? Because this was never about randomly choosing colors from a chart. This particular shade of red paired with this specific gold carries the spirit and nostalgia of that era. We chose these colors to define the entire handheld, transforming it into a timeless classic that never fades. Holding it in your hands feels like holding an entire era. We also created an exclusive AYANEO × Arcade Home commemorative badge, preserving the iconic visual symbols and color memories that players of that generation will instantly recognize.

The Pocket AIR Mini × Arcade Home Limited Edition is remarkably compact and portable—a handheld masterpiece that slips easily into your pocket and is always ready for a quick gaming session. When you hold it, your fingers naturally rest on the controls, while the curved grips fit comfortably into your palms. That feeling reminds me of the first time I wrapped my hand around an arcade joystick—solid, familiar, and reassuring. The difference is that now, the entire arcade fits in the palm of your hand.

This handheld features a 4.2-inch 4:3 LCD display with a resolution of 1280 × 960, delivering a visual experience that retro gamers will immediately appreciate. Games from that era were created specifically for a 4:3 aspect ratio. On a widescreen display, you either have to tolerate black bars or accept stretched visuals. We chose neither. We wanted true pixel-perfect presentation, allowing games to fill the screen exactly as intended. When those familiar scenes appear in their original proportions, the result is both nostalgic and surprisingly fresh—a faithful celebration of classic gaming aesthetics.

We all know that controls are the soul of a retro handheld. That is why we equipped this device with Hall-effect joysticks and Hall-effect triggers, delivering exceptional precision, zero drift, and long-term durability. We also adopted a recessed joystick design, allowing your thumbs to rest at a lower and more natural angle. Even during extended sessions of intense combo execution, your hands remain comfortable. This level of refinement reflects our almost obsessive pursuit of the perfect gaming experience. Around the base of each joystick is a customizable RGB lighting ring. You can freely adjust the colors or let the lights respond dynamically to gameplay. One of my favorite moments is playing at night with the lights off, watching that soft glow slowly come alive. It reminds me of arcade owners rolling up the shutters in the morning as rows of machines powered on simultaneously. Suddenly there was light, sound, and a world full of stories waiting to unfold.

For performance, we selected the MediaTek Helio G90T octa-core processor. Many players are already familiar with this chip. It offers more than enough power to run classic IGS titles while maintaining an excellent balance between performance and efficiency. To ensure smooth gameplay and comfortable temperatures during long sessions, we integrated a complete active cooling solution with a powerful internal fan. Combined with a 4500mAh battery, it allows you to enjoy your favorite IGS classics whether you are relaxing in bed, lounging on the sofa, or commuting on the subway. All you need to do is focus on enjoying the games themselves.

When it came to hardware, we spared no effort. To me, these features are not optional upgrades—they are the baseline. They represent the unspoken understanding shared among passionate gamers. Our goal was to create a device that seamlessly complements classic IGS games and serves as a trusted companion for years to come.

There is one feature that deserves special attention: this handheld runs on AYANEO’s self-developed emulator. This was something I felt strongly compelled to create. Why develop our own emulator when other solutions already exist? Because I am a gamer myself. I understand where the frustrations lie, and I know exactly what retro gaming enthusiasts are looking for. We wanted to build an integrated experience that is simple, intuitive, and ready to play the moment the device powers on. This limited edition is the first AYANEO handheld to feature our in-house emulator, and most importantly, it comes preloaded with officially licensed IGS games. The emulator includes List Mode, Arcade Mode, and Cartridge Mode, along with practical features such as save states, progress saving, and visual filters. It is not a half-finished experiment—it is a labor of love, carefully cultivated through passion and dedication.

The lineup includes beloved IGS classics such as the Knights of Valour series, the Oriental Legend series, The Gladiator, Martial Masters, The Legend of Silkroad, Spectral vs. Generation, the Demon Front series, and the Dragon World series. When these familiar titles appear on the screen, what comes rushing back are not merely game names, but cherished memories. Memories of crowds gathered around arcade cabinets, of eager anticipation, of every token dropped into a machine, and of the cheers that erupted after finally clearing a difficult stage. Today, these games return not as questionable ROM files found in forgotten corners of the internet, but as officially licensed classics presented with the respect and legitimacy they deserve. This is our tribute to those old friends, and our tribute to the youth we once shared.

So when you look at the AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini × Arcade Home Limited Edition, you are looking at more than just a gaming handheld. It is my response—as a devoted handheld enthusiast, an arcade gamer who grew up in those halls, and the CEO of AYANEO—to an unforgettable era. It is a reflection on the memories shared by an entire generation of players and a chance to reignite the romance of the arcade golden age in the modern world.

The AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini × Arcade Home Limited Edition is now available through the AYANEO official store on ayaneo.com. If you are ready to relive the magic of classic arcade gaming, this is an opportunity you will not want to miss. Thank you all for your continued support. We have many more exciting products on the way, and I look forward to sharing them with you soon.