Alright, where do I even start? So, retro gaming is back, and it’s like the coolest thing. Remember those old-school games? Yeah, they’re back but in tiny gadgets now. Like, Grant Sinclair made this handheld thing the size of a gift card—seriously, no joke!
Let’s pause a sec. Grant Sinclair—ring a bell? His uncle, Sir Clive Sinclair, was like a big deal with the ZX Spectrum. Picture a tiny computer that turned a whole bunch of folks into gaming legends or something. Ironic, right? Nephew’s digging into uncle’s vibes. Or is it just me?
Anyway, this gadget—aptly named GamerCard®—it’s like a Raspberry Pi miracle in disguise. And on it, you’ve got this shiny 4” screen, which is pretty. Beneath that, button pads that just scream arcade nostalgia. Already loaded with games because, why not? Quick play and all that jazz.
Oh, oh, check this out. So, it has this launcher with big, nice icons, not just games but emulators too. Ever heard of Recalbox or RetroPie? They’re hanging out on this thing as well. It’s compatible with PICO-8 games and lets you code (Python, C++, you name it).
Now, small detour. Two indie games decided to crash the party here: Bloo Kid 2 and AstroBlaze DX. It’s like they jumped off the Switch train and landed straight onto this tiny device. Bloo Kid 2 is all about action-platforming, while AstroBlaze is—yup, you guessed it—a space shooter. Pixel art galore, my friends.
And I didn’t tell you how slim this thing is—just 6.5 mm! Weighs about 100 grams. It’s like carrying a ghost of a gaming console. You’ve got stacked PCBs, no bulky case. Literally playing with the bare essentials here.
Weird part: it’s not just a toy. This gadget is a full-on PC. Well, kind of. It’s running on Raspberry Pi Zero 2W with a quad-core processor tucked in. Fancy words to say it’s a smart cookie. And ports! USB-C, HDMI—you’re basically turning this into a PC if you bolt on a keyboard. Python devs, rejoice?
But let’s talk cash. It’s pricey. Like, £125, or $170 if you’re counting where I am. For context? Other handhelds are cheaper and just as fun, if not more. Clamshells and flips are making a scene too—those are just wow without the hefty tag.
I’m not bashing Sinclair. However, there’s a moment to question—is it genius or over the top? This device is about as cost-effective as a gold-plated paperclip unless you’re super into retro stuff or gift cards. Still, even if it’s a bit of a wallet-burner, you have to admire the imagination and craft here. Hats off to that, mate!
