Zen 5 Gaming Handheld with Modular Controller Released — Ayaneo 3 Priced from $699

Ayaneo, a well-known player in the world of handheld gaming consoles, is back with its third-generation flagship model, which has already hit the crowdfunding scene. This latest entry is making waves thanks to its innovative modular controller design. If you take a peek at its Indiegogo page, you’ll see the Ayaneo 3 offers a Standard Module with your usual joysticks, D-pad, and ABXY buttons. But that’s not all—it also boasts a Touchpad Module that swaps out joysticks for a touchpad, as well as a fighting module that replaces the classic right-hand ABXY and joystick with a six-button layout.

What’s really intriguing is the flexibility to mix and match these modules, and, believe it or not, you can even flip them upside down. This gives you up to 56 different layout combinations, allowing you to tailor the setup to suit your preferences and gaming needs. Our only slight worry is that Ayaneo decided to use a motor to eject the modules, which might complicate things more than necessary. But, of course, seeing it firsthand will give us a better idea before we pass final judgment.

Under the hood, Ayaneo is powering one version of the Ayaneo 3 with AMD’s newest processor, making it one of the first handhelds to feature the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. Alternatively, users can opt for the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor if they feel they don’t need quite so much horsepower.

The Ayaneo 3 comes in several configurations: users can choose between a 7-inch 120 Hz LCD with up to 500 nits of brightness, or if you want to go brighter, a 7-inch 144 Hz OLED screen offers up to 800 nits. Both display types are priced the same, so it’s all about personal preference here. Memory options start at 16GB for the model with the 8840U processor and can shoot up to 64GB if you choose the HX 370, while storage begins at 512GB and maxes out at a whopping 4TB for those who hate uninstalling games.

The Ayaneo 3 kicks off at $899 for the base setup, which doesn’t include those extra controller modules. But if you decide to go all out with top-tier specifications, prices can climb to $2,099. The good news? If you back the campaign early, you could scoop up a discount of $200 to $300 off the standard price.

Now, if you’re eyeing those extra modules, keep in mind they’re bundled with some of the higher-end 64GB/2TB versions, as Ayaneo doesn’t sell them separately, which might push you towards pricier options if you want the full experience.

As of writing, Ayaneo has blasted through its funding goal of $50,000, which is a promising indicator of the device moving toward production. Historically, Ayaneo’s track record for delivering on its promises gives backers confidence that they’ll receive what they’re hoping for.

However, it’s important to remember that crowdfunding, even when targets are achieved, doesn’t guarantee a finished product for backers. Supporting at this stage means investing in the company, with some risk involved in launching a new product. But the upside is getting a neat discount and being among the first to get your hands on this exciting device.