Audio brand Hidizs has unveiled the AP30 Music Boy, a portable music player that borrows the look of a classic handheld game console. The palm-sized body pairs a D-pad, A and B buttons, and a rotary volume dial, letting you browse and play tracks stored on a microSD card with a nostalgic feel. It also handles high-resolution audio, and its early Kickstarter price starts at $85 (about 14,000 yen).

Retro controls that recall the Game Boy

The biggest draw is a design and control scheme modeled on old-school handheld consoles. A D-pad and A/B buttons sit on the front, and you use them to pick and play songs. Volume is set with a rotary dial on the side, and the clicky feel of turning it brings to mind the volume wheel of the original Game Boy. The 2.0-inch IPS display is small but shows track titles and album details clearly.

The playfulness goes beyond looks. A retro block-puzzle game is built in, so you can pass idle moments while listening to music. It looks the part but does not include a Game Boy emulator, so it is best thought of as a device to enjoy the atmosphere. The back carries a whale engraving, and the player comes in a lightweight plastic version and a more premium-feeling aluminum version.

The audio hardware behind hi-res playback

It may look like a toy, but the sound engineering is serious. At its core is Cirrus Logic's CS43198 DAC, which supports hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz as well as DSD256 playback. It handles lossless formats such as FLAC, ALAC, WAV, and APE.

There are two output jacks. The 3.5mm headphone jack delivers 61mW per channel, while the 4.4mm balanced port puts out 137mW. An equalizer lets you shape the sound to taste, reflecting an intent to reach a "genuinely listenable" level for a dedicated music player at an accessible price.

Bluetooth and battery in daily use

For wireless, it supports Bluetooth 5.3. However, the only codec it can transmit over is SBC, with no support for higher-quality codecs like LDAC. If you want to get the best out of the sound, wired connections are the way to go. Music is stored on a microSD card, with support for cards up to 256GB.

The built-in 1,200mAh battery is rated for roughly 8 to 12 hours of continuous playback depending on the connection and volume. That is plenty for a full day of carrying it around on a commute or to school.

Pricing and the Kickstarter rollout

The AP30 Music Boy opened for backing on Kickstarter on July 23. Under the "Super Early Bird" tier, the plastic version is offered at $85 (about 14,000 yen) and the aluminum version at $93 (about 15,000 yen). At general retail, the plastic model is set at $119 (about 20,000 yen) and the aluminum model at $129 (about 21,000 yen). Note that these prices do not include shipping or import taxes and duties.

※1 USD = about 164 JPY (as of July 24, 2026)

Summary

Hidizs' AP30 Music Boy combines the nostalgic look and controls of a Game Boy with serious internals, including hi-res and DSD256 playback via the CS43198 DAC. The D-pad and A/B buttons, the rotary volume dial, and the built-in block-puzzle game pack it with tactile, fun touches. With an early Kickstarter price starting at $85 (about 14,000 yen), it makes for a playful option for anyone who wants a dedicated music device to carry alongside their phone.