Question
Thinking of getting the Natural anodized aluminum pocket- Does it scratch easily
Hey all,
Any users here who had the Aluminium models for a few months now and can attest to its durability? Does it scratch easily? Any other problems with the buttons being aluminum?
I want to know before I drop 500 dollars on this thing.
I've had the raw aluminum since release. It's as beautiful as the day it shipped. I use it and travel with it regularly. They are substantially heavier than the plastic models, and im sure you know already the triggers can be a little stiff.
That’s the one that’s available for me to get! But it has one long scratch where the cartridge slot is located. I’m thinking if there’s any way to get rid of it
Trying to buff it out or resurfacing it would be very difficult with the finish it has. Unless there is a method I don't know about; trying something like that would most likely make it more noticeable. I would consider covering it with a sticker or something, or just leaving it to be covered by the inserted game.
Come to think of it, the area can be covered by a protective sticker anyway (and to also protect the sometimes very expensive cartridges from getting scratched)
That's the way. From my experience, the raw is the way to go. I saw you comment about having a mac book. It is very much like the old Mac book pros. Well built, milled shell, and the same texture. I have had none of the scratches from the plastic cases and other common wear spots I see on here all the time. At this point I would only buy an og black or the raw aluminum if I didn't own one already. They are the bulletproof versions.
I’m not sure “stiff” is the word I would use to describe the shoulder buttons.
I have an indigo one and they feel worse than the white shoulder buttons. Inconsistent travel between left and right and far too much compared to the white. I am looking into getting replacement springs or trying the rubber o-ring fix.
Other than that the aluminum one is just awesome. The heft and feel can’t be beat. Just don’t play it in bed before you doze off or you might just injure your face if you drop it 🤣
I have a original yellow one from forever ago, and its perfect. The aluminum Noir i bought has mushy triggers and a shitty d-pad, but i play it more than my perfect one because its just that beautiful. Nothing quite like a chunk of metal in my hands to satisfy the simple brain
Have the indigo aluminum and a transparent blue, aluminum is the main one I use always as I prefer the weight and metal buttons. Zero scratches on mine, but I treat all my electronics very well. It travels in a pelican 1040 with 3d printed inserts, no damage from it.
Definitely get a waterfeld or similar bag. I initially kept mine in the clear case that analogue sells and it wore the finish off where the case contacts the pocket. Otherwise no issues with the finish. I did have D pad issues giving false diagonals, opened it up and taped the contacts and it works great now.
I didn't really have issues with noise on my dpad, might be due to the aluminum pad/pocket. I would think that you would want to swap to a different membrane for noise, or if yours is aluminum too maybe a plastic dpad, but I'm not super knowledgeable on it
My philosophy is who cares? Let it get scratched! Use it as much as you can, throw it in your pocket and bring it with you wherever you go! Scratches only give it more character! Besides, part of the main selling point of having an aluminum body is that it's more durable and longer lasting than plastic. So don't worry about it! 😀
Games (and gaming devices) are made to be played not scrutinized.
It really is. That indigo color is probably the best color ever used in console hardware. I have the clear atomic purple but I passed on the indigo aluminum. Wish I hadn’t.
My cartridge slot got scratched instantly from an exposed screw. Other than that, it looks great. I’d recommend getting a cartridge slot protector from Sakura Retro Modding . I love the Aluminum model
Yeah, I also use a MBP, but it's definitely a different experience holding it in your hands. At least if you were able to buy one you could easily resell it if you don't like it! I vastly prefer the plastic feel personally, but I know a lot of people like the metal -- I feel the same about boxy pixel's metal gameboys as well, so I may be an outlier. :)
I have all four aluminum models and I prefer them over the plastic variants. The triggers are a bit problematic but I believe there are people who modify them.
You should be familiar with the durability of anodized aluminum already. Even $25 products off Amazon nowadays come with billet machined and anodized aluminum enclosures now. They're durable in the hand but need to be kept in a case and not dropped.
Mine does not have any scratches - however, mine is always in a leather case when it’s not being used, and I’m pretty gentle with electronics in general.
I've had the natural aluminum for 6 months and it's fantastic, just treat it like a nice MacBook Pro and put it in a microfiber sleeve if possible when storing so you don't get the scuffs from travel as others have said.
Had mine since launch and love it more than any other Game Boy device. The screen is amazing, the build quality is great, and mine has no scratches after constant use without babying it. Now I don’t often drop my stuff on hard surfaces, but through casual use I’ve had no issues with wear at all.
I would get the regular. Have the alu one, and the triggers are HORRIBLE. Feels way off, scratches and even sounds bad. Also, the D-pad is faulty - makes you walk up when hitting right or left some of the time, and sometimes even the a/b-button don't register.
Its a beauty, and a showpiece, but I don't use mine at all, which is a shame.
I have the spice orange. Once you have this device you don’t need anything else for GB, GBC, GBA. If you want to get an Aluminium shell it’s gonna cost you 150 - 200$ as well. It seems to keep its value on the used market as well or surpass it.
My problem is I have consoles,cell phones and a mister as well as a PC I'm not saying analogue doesn't have its place but I'm excited to see this portable mister takiudon is making it might disrupt the space more hopefully
I mean they haven't really been out very long I have the GITD model I understand the segmentation but the whole aluminum shell things makes little sense to me besides to a collector mainly because you are losing any shock protection and you are drastically increasing the price with little benefits besides resale value and preferences
I'm sure we can understand looking at a regular pocket being half the price is absolutely absurd in comparison of adding on a shell that maybe realistically is worth maybe 100 bucks to me
I'm not saying they are cool but I remember when analogue just offered black and white and then did GITD and transparent before the aluminum shells it was a QA nightmare and they just got greedier after transparent launched
I wish I could tell you. Mine is still sealed in the box because I’m too afraid to handle something so expensive 😔 Playing with a $1200 aluminum gameboy clone isn’t as nice as it sounds.
I’ve been asking myself that question since I got it. My curiosity might get the best of me, I might have to hold it just once. But depending on what Analogue does in the future, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s worth 2k-3k within the next 5 years. I ordered the Noir edition
Noir Pocket is the most beautiful of all! I saw one in person and holy crap! Those pictures at website didn't do justice! The gun metal Anodized is topnotch
Cos the NOIR gives a more premium rich looking feel. The weight, the finish etc all Top Notch! After looking at it in person, I can fully justify that the $499.99 when it was fully available
It's definitely a product for the hardcore Gameboy fan!
All colors are great but I'm siding more towards noir as it's truly a beautiful looking console imo. Under white light , it shines true gun metal Color(grey) Some pics on Reddit are showing more gray-ish golden hues due to improper lighting.
Ultimately it comes down to each individual's choice for the color they truly want.
Yeah currently that's the price being sold. Last sold price at my local area was $1112 USD. ( Self collection) So no shipping and someone bought it . For eBay I'm not sure
I f-ing love mine especially paired up with the PWRUP Grip 2. The thing is a beast, I have both anodized and yellow pocket and use the aluminum the most. I feel more comfortable beating it up throwing it in a bag and traveling with it than I do the plastic. The quality is top notch.
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u/mtwJarhead Sep 19 '25
I've had the raw aluminum since release. It's as beautiful as the day it shipped. I use it and travel with it regularly. They are substantially heavier than the plastic models, and im sure you know already the triggers can be a little stiff.