Written by Andy B • WildStar Gaming
Hyperkin is bringing its SupaBoy portable retro console back in two new translucent colourways, with the SupaBoy Prime and limited-edition SupaBoy Crimson now available to pre-order ahead of an expected 28 October 2026 release.
Original cartridges, portable hardware
The SupaBoy is built around physical Super Nintendo and Super Famicom cartridges, with support for PAL, NTSC and Japanese-region software. Instead of relying on a library of bundled ROMs, the idea is simple: take the cartridges you already own and play them on a portable system.
That gives the SupaBoy a very different appeal to the countless low-cost retro handhelds built around preloaded emulation. For collectors in particular, being able to use original media is the entire point.
4.3-inch IPS display and up to 10 hours of battery life
Hyperkin says the new SupaBoy models use a 4.3-inch IPS display and a rechargeable Li-Ion battery rated for up to 10 hours of use. The system also includes AV output for playing on a compatible television.
Two front-facing controller ports allow original or compatible retro controllers to be connected for multiplayer, giving the handheld another trick when it is used away from the sofa.
Prime or Crimson?
The SupaBoy Prime uses a colour palette inspired by the classic Japanese and European Super Famicom design, while the SupaBoy Crimson takes a translucent red approach inspired by Japanese retro hardware styling. Hyperkin describes Crimson as a limited edition and the first in a planned annual series of limited-run colour updates.
UK price and release date
Both models are expected to ship on 28 October 2026, with Hyperkin giving an estimated UK price of £119.99. The company lists an MSRP of $129.99 in the US and €129.99 in Europe.
WildStar’s take
This is exactly the kind of retro hardware that is interesting because it does not try to replace the physical collection. The SupaBoy is built around it.
The promise of original cartridge support, a modern IPS display and genuinely portable play sounds compelling on paper, but the important questions are the ones a spec sheet cannot answer: build quality, cartridge fit, input feel, screen latency, scaling, battery life and how well original PAL and NTSC games behave in real-world use.
That makes the SupaBoy Prime and Crimson particularly interesting candidates for a proper WildStar hardware review once units become available.
Source: Hyperkin / Overload PR product announcement. Press imagery supplied for media use.