I was hoping I wouldn't have to write about the Lenovo G02 again, after breaking the news of how it was loaded with Nintendo IP, illegally, and then how it was removed from AliExpress because Lenovo were likely worried about the attention it was getting.
Now, a few weeks on from the controversy, the handheld is back, being sold across the globe via AliExpress under a new name, but openly associated with Lenovo, making it an even more complicated and dodgy handheld that will undoubtedly confuse retro gamers and long-term Lenovo customers.
Today I noticed that the Lenovo G02 is back on AliExpress, being named as the "SUNYAO G02 Handheld" with the creditation that SUNYAO is a "Lenovo Ecological Brand". This is simply an inaccurate translation of "a Lenovo-invested company", meaning this new company that is now selling this device is in fact associated, and invested by Lenovo themselves.
Confusing hey? Why would Lenovo just not continue branding as its own? Well, I believe... and I must say this is all opinionative and in no way factual, that Lenovo wants to continue selling this device in China, so they have now used a subsidiary brand instead to become a liability shield, to stop any legal action affecting Lenovo as a company. Defending their reputation and lowering the chances of any big financial impact should the likes of Nintendo or SEGA want to take legal action is obviously their top priority.
Admittedly, Lenovo and now SUNYAO are only selling this exclusively in China, even if people from other countries can buy it in two clicks on AliExpress. I have no idea if this new device is pre-loaded with retro games and IP like the original, but from what I can tell, the G02 is back, and Lenovo have tried their hardest to keep this thing alive by dodging any liability by putting this new company that they have invested in at the front of any potential risks.
It's sad to see Lenovo so desperate for revenue. To white-label and incredibly low quality device for the sake of $80 and risking potential threats and legal disputes from Nintendo and SEGA shows where their priorities lie. I do not recommend anyone buy this device. I have tested it myself and was gobsmacked at how low quality it was, especially when considering Lenovo has created some great devices in the past, such as the Legion Go.
