Retroid has revealed its next retro gaming handheld, and it looks set to bring back a fan-favourite feature. The newly announced Pocket Nova will launch with a 4:3 OLED display. This makes it one of the few modern handhelds to pair a classic aspect ratio with a premium screen.
The company hasn’t disclosed the display size yet. However, the OLED panel alone could make the Pocket Nova a notable upgrade for retro gaming fans. Many classic console games were designed for 4:3 screens. Therefore, the format is a natural fit for emulation without the black bars often seen on wider displays.
Retroid’s teaser image doesn’t reveal much beyond the overall design. Though it does show a few changes. The Pocket Nova adopts shoulder buttons that extend down the corners of the device, similar to those found on the Retroid Pocket 6. Meanwhile, the power button and volume controls sit on the right-hand side.
There also appear to be two additional buttons positioned next to the L1 and R1 triggers. Retroid hasn’t explained their purpose yet. This leaves it unclear whether they’re extra programmable inputs or part of the handheld’s secondary shoulder button setup.
While much of the control layout remains hidden, the Pocket Nova appears to be aimed squarely at retro gaming enthusiasts. Given its 4:3 display, it’s likely that Retroid will stick with a D-pad-first design similar to the discontinued Pocket Mini series. However, the company hasn’t confirmed this.
The Pocket Nova is particularly interesting because it effectively fills the gap left by the Pocket Mini and Pocket Mini V2. Both of these have disappeared from sale in recent months. Those devices developed a following among retro gaming fans thanks to their compact size and classic display format. However, their availability has been limited.
Retroid also seems keen to draw a line under the Pocket Mini era. Rather than branding this device as a Pocket Mini successor, the company has opted for an entirely new name. This suggests the Nova could represent a fresh start for its 4:3 handheld lineup.
There’s still plenty we don’t know, including pricing, specifications and a release date. For now, though, the combination of a 4:3 OLED display and Retroid’s growing reputation in the handheld space could make the Pocket Nova one to watch.
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