But… is it 2025, or 2000?

I started working on the latest release of Delta Pocket a while ago, and wouldn’t you know it– I got sidetracked by doing a major update for Delta Duo and releasing Ultra NT for Nintendo 64. But— with renewed resolve and with the year at an end, I wanted to make sure to get Delta Pocket updated for iPhone 16! This update includes remastered designs, new materials and shading, revisions to Display Modes, and a handful of new Editions!

The improvements in the iPhone 16 remaster are most noticeable when using a Transparent Edition skin in landscape. Delta Pocket now perfectly hugs the corners of the iPhone 16 Pro display, and has a ton of refinements to the control layout to better accommodate the Dynamic Island and make better use of the added space. The image above shows the previous Clear Purple skin on the left, with the v2.5.1 update on the right. It’s a pretty huge visual improvement if you ask me, but of course- I’ve stared at it the longest!

The updated device shading adds depth and vibrancy to every edition, creating a polished, high-quality appearance. Compare the Black Edition before and after the update to see how much richer the new design feels.

Delta Pocket 2.5.1 also introduces a high-resolution molded plastic material, replacing the noise texture for a much cleaner, more refined look.

The colors for some editions have been modified to either differentiate them from or align them with similar editions. For instance, Red, Itsumi, and Dex are now more distinct from each other, while 2001 and Indigo are the same body color. Special Editions like Itsumi, Dreamy, and Brother, also have new designs. You can also now use SPACE for Game Boy Color without the Display Mode applied.

I’ve done my best to match the subtle differences between the real-world devices that these finishes are based on (without actually owning them,) while maintaining the idealized, realistic-yet-cartoony look that Delta Pocket has become known for.

Many editions have additional tweaks to their designs. One of my favorites, Glow, is much more refined with a subtle blue shift to shadows, and it even features a realistic speckled glow-in-the-dark texture! Again- a huge improvement!

Speaking of Glow, this update also brings some new editions! Ice Blue, Hot Pink, from Delta Duo are joining (un)Limited, along with Glow (Night)!

Glow (Night) is a “dark” alternate for Glow, and has a mesmerizing galactic glow-in-the-dark texture, based on the GITD Analogue Pocket! Glow and Glow (Night) also now feature the Light and Fluorescent Display Modes, respectively.

Hyper Pink, Extreme Green, and Voltage Yellow join the Transparent Edition set, offering vibrant throwbacks to iconic Game Boy models. These editions are fun, vibrant throwbacks to the Sakura Taisen GBC, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Light. Extreme Green has an alternate skin with the PK Display Mode, and Voltage Yellow has an alternate with Light!

I introduced Display Modes a while back, and they’ve also been updated in 2.5.1. The Display Modes found on various editions to more closely resemble those found on the Analogue Pocket! Delta’s developer, Riley, has recently hinted in an interview with Retro Dodo that updates to how filters work may be in progress, so hopefully that means a way to apply a display mode to any skin is on the horizon!

This update also removes the blurred background display for GBA.

And now some self-indulgent reflection...

I’ve been reflecting a lot on the progress I’ve made both personally and professionally while working on this update. I made Delta Pocket out of a need for a creative outlet and as a way to help me learn how to use Figma. Now it’s been 255 days, countless tweaks to 1000s of layers, and over 12,000 downloads. I’ve been extremely honored and humbled to have formed a community that has shown up to help raise over $1,500 for Rainbow Railroad with the PRIDE collection. Your support and feedback have inspired me to improve and work in public like I never have before.

I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that I was a guest on the Retrospect podcast, received extremely kind write-ups from Wavelengths and MobileSyrup, and had the opportunity to do collaborations with Delta, Retro Dodo, and MacStories to help support the work of other awesome independent creators.

So, I owe you a thank you. Thank you for being part of my year and celebrating the history of gaming with me. Thank you for following along and caring enough to give me feedback on Threads. Thank you for believing that my work was worth telling others about. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work on such fun projects!

The Delta Pocket 2.5.1 update is available for download in your Gumroad Library now!

Who knows what 2025 will hold, but something tells me it’s going to be pretty Super! Happy New Year! 🥳

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