Lenovo's G02 handheld, a Game Boy-style device sold in China, is at the center of a legal controversy over pre-installed ROMs. The device reportedly ships with collections of Nintendo games, raising copyright concerns.
Lenovo denies responsibility for ROMs.
The G02 is a retro emulation handheld sold under a regional brand license from Lenovo. It targets gamers looking for a portable way to play classic titles, but the inclusion of unauthorized game files has drawn scrutiny.
According to reports, the handheld comes with pre-loaded ROMs that include Nintendo titles. Lenovo has denied responsibility, stating that neither the company nor its authorized licensees offer pre-installed games. The company blames third-party retailers for adding the software.
Device pulled from online stores.
The G02 is currently unavailable on AliExpress and Alibaba. The reasons for its removal remain unclear, according to sources.
Lenovo told Retro Dodo that it has no control over third-party retailers that add software or content. This statement shifts accountability away from the company, but questions about the device's distribution persist.
The controversy highlights the legal risks of selling emulation devices with bundled ROMs. While the hardware itself is not illegal, the inclusion of copyrighted game files creates liability for sellers.
Source: Lenovo G02, NotebookCheck
