Controversial Lenovo G02 retro handheld reappears as with "30,000+" preloaded ROMS on Aliexpress

Lenovo’s controversial G02 retro-gaming handheld, which popped up on Chinese online marketplaces loaded with thousands of illegal ROMs, has returned on AliExpress under a different name. The device, which first drew attention for its Lenovo branding paired with its low price and extensive list of preloaded ROMs, is now being sold as the SUNYAO and is being described as “invested by Lenovo brand.”

According to the official description of the Lenovo SUNYAO G02, which mentions Lenovo 6 times without taking a break:

“Backed by Lenovo. Built by SUNYAO. SUNYAO is an official member of the Lenovo ecosystem, invested in by Lenovo, with “Invested by Lenovo” printed right on the retail box. You’re not buying from a no-name workshop; this is a Lenovo-backed brand following Lenovo-level quality control standards.”

Lenovo faced severe backlash over the original branded version, which the company subsequently pulled from AliExpress after the China-only handheld began shipping internationally.

To make matters worse, the Lenovo SUNYAO G02’s description states that it comes in 64GB and 128GB versions, noting, “two versions, one console, pick the game library size that suits you.” Under the version subheading, it states that the 64GB version comes preloaded with “20,000+ Games,” and the 128GB version features “30,000+ Games.” 

The story first unfolded in May when the G02 appeared on AliExpress for a mere $63, featuring Lenovo branding and a 4.5-inch Linux-based emulation handheld intended for playing retro games. Retro news outlet Retro Dodo purchased a unit and found hundreds of illegal ROMs preinstalled on the device, which is common for Chinese emulation units but not for a company like Lenovo.

A China-only handheld offering

Lenovo confirmed that the product was legitimate but intended for China only under a regional licensing deal, was not part of its global lineup, and that such products “may differ from Lenovo products sold through authorized channels.”

Lenovo later explained in detail to Tom’s Hardware that the G02 is a white-label device created in collaboration with a third-party vendor under a licensing agreement. The company stated, “Devices officially distributed by Lenovo or its authorized licensees in the China market do not include memory cards or preloaded games.”