Ayaneo 3 Debuts with Zen 5 and Modular Controllers, Starting at $699

Renowned maker of handheld gaming consoles, Ayaneo, recently unveiled its third-generation flagship device for crowdfunding, capturing the spotlight with its innovative modular controller design. According to the device’s Indiegogo page, the Ayaneo 3 offers various interchangeable modules: the Standard Module includes traditional joysticks, a D-pad, and ABXY buttons; the Touchpad Module swaps out the joysticks for a touchpad; and the Fighting Module replaces the right side ABXY and joystick with a six-button setup tailored for fighting games.

The appealing aspect of this design is the flexibility it affords gamers. You can mix and match these modules, and even install them upside down, providing a mind-boggling 56 possible layout combinations. This means you can tailor the console to suit your playing style and the requirements of different games. The only hiccup could be the motorized mechanism used to eject modules, which may complicate what should be a simple task. Nevertheless, we’ll reserve judgment until we can see it in action.

On the inside, Ayaneo is not holding back either. The device comes equipped with AMD’s latest processors. One option features the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, setting its place among the first handhelds to employ this powerhouse. Alternatively, for those who might not need as much raw performance, the console is available with the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor.

Now, diving into specifics: you have a variety of specs to choose from, with either a vivid 7-inch 120 Hz LCD or an eye-catching 144 Hz OLED screen to start with. Both offer impressive brightness levels—500 nits for the LCD and 800 nits for the OLED. Interestingly, these screen choices come at the same price point, leaving it a decision of preference rather than cost.

The Ayaneo 3’s pricing begins at $899 for the baseline model, not including extra controller modules, and maxes out at a hefty $2,099 for the top-tier version. However, there’s a $200 to $300 discount on offer if you pledge support during the crowdfunding campaign.

Do keep in mind though, if you’re eyeing the extra controller modules, they come included with most of the 64GB/2TB versions and are not sold separately. So, if you want to enjoy the full spectrum of customization, the higher-end packages are the way to go.

As of now, Ayaneo has already hit their funding goal of $50,000, which means the Ayaneo 3 is on track to transition from concept to reality. The company has a strong reputation for fulfilling its promises, giving backers good reason to believe they’ll receive what they’ve signed up for.

However, it’s always wise to remember that backing a crowdfunded project entails its fair share of risks—despite solid track records, there’s no absolute guarantee of receiving a final product. That said, supporting now comes with the perk of a discount and the chance to be among the first to get your hands on this cutting-edge gadget.