Yoniq is reportedly planning to launch its upcoming Yoniq Duo and Yoniq Portal handhelds through Kickstarter, with the crowdfunding campaign potentially going live as early as next month.
The company recently showcased both devices at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, giving attendees a closer look at its upcoming hardware. However, details surrounding the handhelds’ specifications, launch plans, and retail availability have remained relatively limited.
In a response to Retro Dodo regarding the devices’ release plans, Yoniq’s marketing team confirmed that a Kickstarter campaign is in the works for later this quarter, potentially setting the stage for the company’s next major announcement.
“We’re currently planning to launch a Kickstarter campaign later this quarter possibly as soon as next month featuring both the Yoniq Duo and Yoniq Portal,” the marketing team told Retro Dodo.
The company also explained that the level of support received during the campaign will help determine its initial production quantity, suggesting that manufacturing plans will depend, at least in part, on demand from prospective buyers.
Yoniq added that it has continued refining both devices following conversations with creators and players in Tokyo, with ongoing work focused on improving the hardware and optimizing various details ahead of launch.
Yoniq Duo and Portal Could Cost Between $159 and $199
Although Yoniq has yet to confirm the full specifications of either handheld, recent listings reportedly suggest that the Yoniq Duo and Yoniq Portal could be priced between $159 and $199 USD.
That would place both devices in a competitive segment of the handheld gaming market, where affordability and hardware features are key considerations for buyers.
The Yoniq Duo’s dual-screen design is one of its most notable features, while the Yoniq Portal represents another upcoming addition to the company’s hardware lineup. More information about their respective specifications, performance, and final pricing will be needed before their position in the market becomes clearer.
It also remains unclear whether Yoniq intends to launch both devices through a single Kickstarter campaign or offer separate campaigns for each handheld. A combined campaign could give prospective buyers the option to support either device individually or purchase both as part of a bundle, although the company has not confirmed its plans.
When Will the Yoniq Handhelds Be Available?
Yoniq’s website currently features a countdown scheduled to end on New Year’s Day, potentially hinting at an upcoming announcement. However, the countdown’s purpose has not been officially confirmed, and it should not be treated as a confirmed retail release date.
If the Kickstarter campaign launches next month, the crowdfunding period could conclude before the end of the year, depending on its start date and duration.
Production and delivery timelines are less certain. Manufacturing could extend into the first quarter of next year, with deliveries potentially following later, but this remains speculation rather than a confirmed schedule from Yoniq.
Ongoing memory and display supply constraints could also complicate production timelines, particularly if demand exceeds the company’s initial manufacturing expectations. Yoniq has referenced its 50 years of experience producing handhelds for other clients, but it remains to be seen how that experience will translate into the production and delivery of its own branded devices.
For now, the biggest takeaway is that Yoniq appears to be preparing to bring both the Duo and Portal to market through crowdfunding rather than a conventional retail launch.
With a potential Kickstarter campaign approaching, further announcements could provide the first substantial details about the devices’ specifications, pricing, and availability. Until then, prospective buyers will have to wait for Yoniq to confirm its plans.
Be sure to let us know is this something that you guys would be interested and and what you think. I for one will be keeping my eye on this one.
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