Taki Udon Teases FPGA GBA and GBA SP Handhelds With Upgraded Screens

Taki Udon has offered a fresh look at two in-progress FPGA handheld projects designed around the Game Boy Advance family: one in the original horizontal GBA style and another inspired by the clamshell Game Boy Advance SP. The latest prototypes are said to use a new hardware revision and larger display options, with the work focused on meaningful improvements to screen brightness, color reproduction and image scaling.

While key details remain unannounced, the update suggests both devices are moving beyond early concept work. The GBA SP-style model is also now reported to cold boot in roughly two seconds and display a dedicated boot logo, small but notable signs that the hardware and software experience are being refined together.

For retro handheld enthusiasts, this is a potentially important development. FPGA-based Game Boy Advance hardware is still a relatively limited category, particularly for players who want a well-built system in a familiar GBA or SP-shaped shell without moving into a more expensive all-purpose handheld. The projects are not yet confirmed for release, and there is no pricing, specification sheet or launch window to rely on. But the appearance of functioning prototypes and new screen testing makes the devices worth watching.

Two familiar Game Boy Advance form factors

The two designs address distinct preferences within the Game Boy Advance community. The original GBA used a horizontal layout, with its controls positioned on either side of the screen. It remains a popular shape for long sessions because the wider grip can feel more natural in adult hands. The GBA SP, meanwhile, adopted a folding design that protected its display and buttons in transit while making the system notably more compact.

For useful background on this topic, read Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Acrylic Magnets Arrive as a UK My Nintendo Reward.

Taki Udon has previously shown both directions, and the new update confirms that development continues on each. Work has reportedly begun on the standard GBA-style form factor using one of the updated screens, while the SP-inspired prototype has received boot-time improvements. Transparent prototype shells have also appeared in demonstrations, providing a glimpse at hardware that appears to be actively tested rather than merely rendered or mocked up.

That does not mean either design is final. Prototype enclosures, display panels, button assemblies and internal boards can all change substantially before a commercial product is ready. Still, developing two different chassis types at the same time could give prospective buyers a meaningful choice if both reach production.

Why the screen upgrade matters

Display quality is one of the most consequential parts of any modern retro handheld, and it is especially important for Game Boy Advance games. The original GBA screen was unlit, while the SP's early frontlit screen and later backlit model delivered dramatically different viewing experiences. Modern players generally expect far higher brightness, sharper output and better color handling than Nintendo's original hardware could offer.

The new display is described as a major step forward in three areas: brightness, color and scaling. Brightness affects basic usability in varied lighting conditions. Color performance can alter how faithfully games resemble their intended artwork, especially in titles built around vivid sprites and detailed pixel art. Scaling is equally crucial because the Game Boy Advance's native 240-by-160 resolution does not neatly fit every contemporary panel.

A poor scaling solution can introduce uneven pixels, blur or distracting artifacts. A stronger implementation can preserve the clear, deliberate pixel structure that defined the GBA library. The mention of larger screen options raises further questions about panel size, aspect ratio and whether the systems will provide integer scaling modes, filters or other display controls. Those details have not been announced, but they will likely be central to the eventual reception of the hardware.

What FPGA brings to the conversation

FPGA, short for field-programmable gate array, is regularly discussed in retro gaming because it can be configured to reproduce the behavior of older hardware at a low level. Rather than relying solely on conventional software emulation, an FPGA implementation aims to recreate the logic of the original system electronically. The result can appeal to players seeking accurate timing, cartridge support and behavior closer to original hardware.

It is important not to treat the term as an automatic guarantee of perfection. Accuracy depends on the quality and maturity of the hardware implementation, the handling of peripherals and the rest of the product's engineering. Screen latency, controls, cartridge compatibility, audio behavior and firmware support all matter. Nevertheless, FPGA has become a major selling point for premium and enthusiast-oriented retro devices, particularly when paired with physical game cartridges.

For the GBA, an FPGA handheld could offer a modern way to use an existing library while retaining the conveniences players now expect: a rechargeable battery, a high-quality screen, more durable controls and potentially useful display options. The eventual feature set for these particular handhelds has not been detailed, so broader capabilities should remain an open question rather than an assumption.

A market with room for another approach

There are already devices capable of playing Game Boy Advance cartridges, but the market does not offer a single obvious answer for every buyer. Analogue Pocket is a prominent FPGA-based option and supports GBA cartridges through its cartridge slot, but its vertical layout follows the original Game Boy more closely than the horizontal GBA. That format has its fans, though it can also leave more unused space around GBA's wide image and makes for a different handheld feel.

Other FPGA-oriented handheld efforts have sought to address the same audience, yet construction quality, price and overall polish remain decisive. A device can have an ambitious core feature but still disappoint if its shell, controls, screen implementation or firmware do not meet expectations. That leaves an opening for a product that prioritizes a familiar GBA-shaped body, dependable materials and a display tailored to the software people actually want to play.

The potential appeal of Taki Udon's projects is therefore not just that they may be FPGA systems. It is that they appear to be targeting specific unmet preferences: an original GBA-style layout, an SP-style alternative, upgraded screens and a likely emphasis on physical cartridges. Whether the final devices can balance those aims with an accessible price is still unknown.

Retro Remake's growing FPGA ambitions

The handheld development follows the successful launch and shipment of the SuperStation, a PlayStation-focused FPGA console associated with Retro Remake. The team has also announced work on an SNES-focused project. Together, those efforts indicate a broader push into FPGA hardware rather than a one-off experiment with a single machine.

That experience could matter as the GBA systems progress. Building and shipping a retro console requires more than making a convincing prototype. Manufacturers must manage components, enclosure production, quality control, firmware updates, packaging and customer support. A project that has already moved through a retail launch has a clearer foundation than an idea that exists only through early social-media previews.

At the same time, handhelds present their own challenges. Battery life, charging behavior, hinge reliability for a folding model, screen mounting, shoulder-button feel and cartridge insertion are all areas where final execution will matter. The GBA SP-style version in particular will face close scrutiny because a clamshell adds mechanical complexity that a fixed horizontal body avoids.

What remains unknown

There is considerable anticipation around these prototypes, but prospective buyers should keep expectations measured until fuller details arrive. No final specifications have been provided for the display resolution, battery, audio, connectivity, cartridge compatibility, operating system or firmware features. There is also no confirmed price, release date, preorder plan or list of included accessories.

It is similarly unclear whether the two models would launch together, whether they would use identical internal hardware, or whether the larger-screen experiments will become part of the retail configuration. The possibility of additional emulation or multi-system functionality has been mentioned as a hoped-for feature by observers, but it has not been established as a confirmed capability for either handheld.

For now, the most concrete takeaway is simple: the projects are active, updated prototypes exist, and display technology is a current priority. More demonstrations of the larger screens are expected if testing produces positive results.

A promising moment for GBA-focused hardware

The Game Boy Advance remains one of the most beloved handheld platforms in retro gaming, with a library that spans Nintendo classics, role-playing games, tactical titles, arcade conversions and inventive releases that pushed 2D pixel art in memorable directions. Original systems remain usable, but aging screens, worn buttons and battery modifications have made modern alternatives increasingly attractive.

A polished FPGA device in either a GBA or GBA SP-inspired format could be a compelling option for collectors and regular players alike. The new screen claims are encouraging, the faster boot process suggests steady iteration, and the existence of two form factors gives the project a more ambitious scope than a single-shell remake.

There is still a long way to go before those promises can be judged in a finished product. Until specifications, pricing and release plans are revealed, these handhelds remain prototypes with significant potential rather than guaranteed purchases. Even so, the latest update places them among the more interesting retro hardware projects to follow as FPGA Game Boy Advance options continue to develop.