While the original Game Boy was hardly the most portable of devices, Nintendo iterated on the concept over the years to produce more pocket-friendly versions of the system, with the Game Boy Micro (the final product to carry the famous branding) being so small that many people found it was actually uncomfortable to play for prolonged periods.
However, fast forward to 2021 and we've got something that's even smaller and more uncomfortable: the Game Mini ESP32.
Built using the shell of a GBA-style device that ran Tetris clones and (relatively) powerful internal tech, this dinky handheld is able to emulate the likes of the Game Boy, Game Boy Color and NES, and is powered by an internal rechargeable battery. It's also dirt cheap, with the plastic case version costing just over £30.
The catch? As you can see from The Retro Future's video above, the unit is so small that most people are going to struggle actually playing games on it. There are also some build quality issues with the unit, but some will no doubt be willing to put up with those problems if only to have this teeny little emulation machine sitting on their shelf – assuming they don't already own the equally diminutive FunKey S, of course.
[source myretrogamecase.com, via youtube.com]
Comments 33
Still not as small as the FunKey S though.
https://www.funkey-project.com/
Ants could never operate this, cool console though.
I feel like this exists because of the Game Gear Micro.
Best present for The Smurfs. 🤣
@Magician Afaik that one is pretty comfortable (okay well, relatively comfortable rather) to play on though.
100% Tiger Watch approved.😅
And seriously, the original Game Boy "was hardly the most portable of devices"? Back in 1989 when a lot of people remembered calling (or still called) desktops "microcomputers" based on what they had seen to compare? Sure, GB was more bulky than Game & Watch devices (as far as I can judge by their Elektronika clones, at least), but it was also a full-fledged handheld console. Having a console that size back then must have been not entirely unlike how wearing a whole chunk of smartphone functionality on one's wrist feels nowadays.😄
I wonder if Nintendo will do anything for the game boy advance's 20th anniversary.
Trying to use that D Pad would make me want to bash my head against a wall.
@nhSnork Try fitting an OG GB in your pocket.
It's a neat novelty or gag gift. But there are better piracy machines around if you, idk, actually want to play the games? Lol
But is it bigger than the Game Gear Mini?
@Damo define a pocket. Jeans and pants tend to be awkward to carry gadgets in regardless of size... whereas some of my spring/summer jackets can fit and sometimes even zip up my whole Switch with the joycons cilpped on.
Just here to compliment the Zoolander reference.
@Damo "Is that an original Game Boy in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me?"
To be fair to @nhSnork, the late 80s/early 90's did have baggier trousers! (Personally I lacked the pocket size to keep an OG Game Boy in a pocket safely, never mind the Game Gear with all those AAs inside!)
On topic, this little thing is both mighty impressive in terms of how much is squeezed in, and looks like a hand-cramp nightmare I never want to use!
I love that! 😂
I've been eyeing the Funkey S, but this looks pretty nifty too
As soon as I saw the article, I knew you were going to use that video. I watched it yesterday.
And it's only $250! What a steal!
Can't wait for the future when we get Gameboys the size of a fingernail and you need toothpicks to operate the buttons
@dok5555555 The Switch in handheld mode is already a giant GBA. GBA games not being on NSO boggles my mind.
We should have had a new console added to NSO last fall. However, the Mario celebration took the spotlight.
It's cool and all but, like, not enjoyable to actually use seriously. I struggled with the Game Boy Micro if I'm honest.
Unrelated: the presenter of this video is cute. <3
It must be atleast... three times bigger than this!
@dok5555555 Would be nice, but they did nothing for the anniversary of the original Game Boy 2 years ago which was of much greater significance so I wouldn't hold my breath.
Need some tiny Trump hands to play one of these.
@nhSnork I was around back then, played a fair amount of gameboy at friends houses. It didn't feel as high tech as a smartphone, and honestly by the time it was popular (and had gotten over the early game growing pains) SNES was around and a lot of people didn't want 8 bit games.
I look at some games I passed up because I was "tired of 2d games" but I was a kid who wanted the latest technology and graphics. Not a lot has changed there for a good majority of gamers.
Not small enough, it needs to be smaller.
Reminds me of the PocketSprite (which I have and love)
Nope, I'm good. I just ordered a custom built GBA. I had its design based on Tingle and the Tingle Tuner.
Comes with a backlit screen, and a rechargeable battery that uses a USB-C cable to charge.
I'd encourage buying from this store, for those interested in getting a GBA that actually fits comfortably in your hands:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/854291277/ultimate-game-boy-advance-ipsv2
My friends in the Shire will love this.
@Magician I have never seen this before. Best keychain ever!
@KayFiOS I ordered the parts and did it myself fun project.
@HollowSpectre I get too nervous that I'm going to screw something up. I'll replace the shell and buttons if I feel like changing its design, but for the hardware, I wanted to hire someone to put it together
@KayFiOS Yeah the first few goes were... Well let's just say I have a few spare parts.😁
@GamingFan4Lyf I want also to compliment the Zoolander reference. One of the funniest gag I have ever seen in a movie.
"But Derek..."
"It needs to be at least.... three times bigger !!"
"...He's ... right !?!..."
I know so many of its dialogues by heart ❤️
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