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Cheap microcontrollers and bitmap screens have led to a new class of game console. Which I nickname "Hobby Handhelds" or "Indie Handhelds". Unlike traditional handheld game consoles these systems are meant to run games made by hobbyists and easily programmed by the user. I decided to compile a list of them.

Bitmap Screen Games

Name Processor RAM Screen Sound Language Support * Flash Size Storage Price Schematic Available URL
32blit STM32H750 (480 MHz Cortex M7) 1 MiB 320x240 RGB (ST7272A) 12-bit DAC (internal) C/C++, Lua, Javascript (MicoJS) 32 MiB Micro SD 118.80 GBP Yes https://32blit.github.io/32blit-website/
Arduboy ATMega 32u4 (16 MHz AVR) 2.5 KiB 128x64 1-bit (SSD1306) 2x1-bit Buzzer C/C++ (Arduino) 32 KiB 128 MiB Flash (FX Model Only) 54 USD (Clones at Various Prices) Yes https://arduboy.com
Attiny Arcade ATtiny85 (20 MHz AVR) 512 B 128x64 1-bit (SSD1306) 1-bit Buzzer C/C++ (Arduino) 8 KiB N/A 29.98 USD (Clones at Various Prices) Yes https://webboggles.com/attiny85-game-kit-assembly-instructions/
Brainpad Arcade STM32F401 (84 MHz Cortex M4) 96 KiB 160x128 RGB 1-bit Buzzer VPL (MakeCode Arcade) 512KiB N/A 34.95 USD No https://www.brainpad.com/brainpad-family/arcade/
Brainpad Pulse SC13048Q (80 MHz Cortex M4) 128 KiB 128x64 1-bit (SSD1306) 1-bit Buzzer VPL (MakeCode), C#, MicroPython 220 KiB N/A Quote Yes https://www.brainpad.com/brainpad-family/pulse/
ByteBoi ESP32-WROOM (2x240 Mhz Xtensa) 8 MiB 320x240 RGB Speaker C++, VPL (CircuitBlocks) 4 MiB SD Card 119 USD Yes https://circuitmess.com/products/byteboi-8-bit-game-console
Dodo 65C02 (1 MHz) 32KiB 128x64 1-bit (SSD1305) 1xBuzzer C (CC65), 65C02 Assembly N/A 8 KiB FRAM 199 USD Yes http://www.dodolabs.io/
Elecfreaks STM32F41x (100 MHz Cortex M4) 256 KiB 320x200 RGB 1-bit Buzzer VPL (Makecode Arcade) 1 MiB N/A 59.90 USD No https://www.elecfreaks.com/retro-arcade-for-education.html
ESPboy ESP8266 (160 MHz Xtensa) 80 KiB 128x128 RGB (ST7735) 1-bit Speaker C/C++ (Little Game Engine, Arduino, Arduboy, Gamebuino META), Lua, BASIC, MicroPython, VPL (Scratch), Javascript (MicoJS), Z80 Assembly (Gameboy, ZX Spectrum), SChip-8 4 MiB App Store 75/95 USD Yes https://www.espboy.com/
ESPlay Micro V2 ESP32 WROVER (2x240 MHz Xtensa) 4MiB-8MiB 320x240 RGB (ILI9341) UDA1334A (16-bit DAC) MicroPython, C/C++ (Arduino), Z80 Assembly (Gameboy (Color), Master System, Game Gear, Colecovision), 6502 Assembly (NES) 4MiB Micro SD 32.90 USD Yes https://hackaday.io/project/166707-esplay-micro
Gamebuino/MAKERbuino ATMega 328 (16 MHz AVR) 2 KiB 84x48 1-bit (PCD8544) 4x1-bit Speaker C/C++ (Arduino) 32KiB Micro SD ~70 USD (Clones at Various Prices) Yes http://legacy.gamebuino.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
Gamebuino META ATSAMD21 (48 MHz Cortex M0+) 32 KiB 160x128 RGB (ST7735) 10-bit DAC CircuitPython, C/C++ (Arduino), Javascript (MicoJS) 256KiB Micro SD 70 EUR No https://gamebuino.com/
GameGo STM32F401 (84 MHz Cortex M4) 96 KiB 160x128 RGB 1-bit Speaker VPL (MakeCode Arcade) 512 KiB N/A 41.90 USD No https://www.seeedstudio.com/GameGo-p-4847.html https://www.tinkergen.com/gamego
Kitronik ARCADE ATSAMD51J19 (120MHz Cortex M4F) 192 KiB 160 x 128 RGB 1-bit Piezo MicroPython, VPL (MakeCode Arcade) 512KiB N/A 36.00 GBP No https://kitronik.co.uk/products/5311-arcade-for-makecode-arcade
KOKO ATtiny85 (20 MHz AVR) 512 B 120x64 1-bit (SSD1306) 1-bit Buzzer C/C++ (Arduino) 8 KiB N/A 37.50 USD Yes https://www.tindie.com/products/el9000/koko-a-retro-game-console-kit-diy-and-hackable/
MeowBit STM32F401 (84 MHz Cortex M4) 96 KiB 160x128 RGB (ST7735) 1-bit Buzzer CircuitPython, VPL (MakeCode Arcade, Kittencode) 512KiB 2 MiB Flash, SD 39.95 USD No https://meowbit.kittenbot.cc
MicroByte ESP32 WROVER E (2x240 MHz Xtensa) 8 MiB 240x240 RGB (ST7789) 1-bit Buzzer MicroPython, C/C++ (Arduino), Z80 Assembly (Gameboy (Color), Sega Master System, Game Gear), 6502 Assembly (NES) 16 MiB N/A TBD Yes https://www.crowdsupply.com/byte-mix-labs/microbyte
Nibble ESP8266 (160 MHz Xtensa) 80 KiB 128x128 RGB (ST7735) 1-bit Buzzer C/C++ (Arduino), CircuitPython, VPL (CircuitBlocks) 4MiB N/A 75.99 USD Yes https://circuitmess.com/nibble/
Xtron Pro STM32F41x (100 MHz Cortex M4) 256 KiB 160x128 RGB 1-bit Speaker VPL (MakeCode Arcade, Xmaker), 6502 Assembly (NES) 1 MiB 16 MiB Flash 85 USD No https://store.ovobot.cc/products/xtron-pro
Picopad RP2040 (2x133 MHz Cortex M0+) 264 KiB 160x128 RGB 1-bit Speaker C/C++, Micropython, Circuitpython 2 MiB Micro SD Card 849 CZK Yes https://pajenicko.cz/picopad/picopad-open-source-herni-konzole
PewPew M4 ATSAMD51G19A 192 KiB 160x128 RGB (ST7735) 1-bit Buzzer CircuitPython 512 KiB N/A 25 USD Yes https://pewpew.readthedocs.io/en/latest/pewpew-m4/overview.html https://makerfabs.com/circuitpython-pewpew-m4.html
PicoSystem RP2040 (2x133 MHz Cortex M0+) 264 KiB 240x240 RGB (ST7789) 1-bit Buzzer C++, MicroPython, CircuitPython, Javascript (MicoJS) 16 MiB N/A 58.50 GBP Yes https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picosystem
Playdate STM32F746IGK (180MHz Cortex M7) 16 MiB 400x240 1-bit (Sharp LS027B7DH01) 2x1-bit Speaker Lua, C 1 MiB 4GB Flash, Weekly Digital Download 179 USD No https://play.date/
Pokitto LPC11U6x (72 MHz Cortex M0+) 36 KiB 220x176 RGB (ST7775R) 8-bit Speaker MicroPython, C/C++ (Native, Arduboy, Gamebuino), Java, Javascript (MicoJS) 256kiB Micro SD 49.90 EUR Yes https://www.pokitto.com/
PyBadge ATSAMD51J19 (120MHz Cortex M4F) 192 KiB 160x128 RGB (ST7735R) 1-bit Speaker CircuitPython, VPL (MakeCode Arcade), C++ (Arduino) 512KiB 2 MiB Flash 24.95 USD - 39.95 USD Yes https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pybadge
PyGamer ATSAMD51J19 (120MHz Cortex M4F) 192 KiB 160x128 RGB (ST7735R) 1-bit Speaker CircuitPython, VPL (MakeCode Arcade), C++ (Arduino) 512KiB 8 MiB Flash, Micro SD 44.95 USD - 59.95 USD Yes https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pygamer
PYXA ATMega 328 (16 MHz AVR) 2 KiB 160x128 RGB (ST7735) 1-bit Buzzer C/C++ (Arduino) 32KiB Micro SD 99 GBP No https://www.creoqode.com/pyxa
Retro Game Tiny ATtiny85 (20 MHz AVR) 512 B 120x64 1-bit (SSD1306) 1-bit Buzzer C/C++ (Arduino) 8 KiB N/A 19.99 USD Yes https://www.tindie.com/products/jasonkits/retro-game-tiny-oled-arcade-console/
Thinkbox STM32F41x (100 MHz Cortex M4) 256 KiB 320x240 RGB 1-bit Speaker VPL (Makecode Arcade) 512 KiB N/A 50 USD No https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004511119421.html
Thumby RP2040 (2x133 MHz Cortex M0+) 264 KiB 72x40 1-bit (SSD1306) 1-bit Buzzer MicroPython, C/C++ (Arduino), VPL (Blockly) N/A 2 MiB Flash 29.95 USD Yes https://tinycircuits.com/products/thumby
TinyArcade/PocketArcade ATMega 328P (16 MHz AVR) 2 KiB 96x64 RGB (SSD1331) 1-bit Speaker C/C++ (Arduino) 32 KiB Micro SD 59.95 USD Yes https://tinycircuits.com/collections/all/products/tinyarcade
Tiny Joypad ATtiny85 (in cartridge) (20 MHz AVR) 512 B 128X64 1-bit (SSD1306) 1-bit Speaker C/C++ (Arduino) N/A 8 KiB 25 USD Yes https://www.tinyjoypad.com/tinyjoypad_attiny85
TomatoCube* STM32F41x (100 Mhz Cortex M4) 256 KiB 160x128 RGB 1-bit Buzzer VPL (Makecode Arcade) 512 KiB N/A 159 RM No https://tomatocube.com/product/makecode-arcade-console/
µgame ATSAMD21 (48 MHz Cortex M0+) 32 KiB 128×128 RGB (ST7735R) 1-bit Speaker MicroPython , CircuitPython 256KiB 2 MiB Flash 24.99 USD Yes https://github.com/python-ugame https://www.tindie.com/products/deshipu/game-10-python-game-console-kit/

* Any programming language that supports the MCU can be used, but libraries may require workarounds or be rewritten entirely.

LED Matrix Games

These have a Rectangular Matrix of LEDs as opposed to an LCD, TFT or OLED screen and therefore usually have <200 dots. You could still make crude games on them but not much more than snake.

Name Processor RAM Resolution & Color Sound Languages Flash Size Storage Price Schematic Available URL
2048 ATMega2560 (16 MHz AVR) 8 KiB RGB 64x32 (HUB75) N/A C/C++ (Arduino) 256KiB N/A 189 GBP No https://www.creoqode.com/2048
Meggy Jr. RGB ATmega168 (16MHz AVR) 1 KiB RGB 8x8 (2xSTP16DP05B1R) 1-bit Buzzer C/C++ (Arduino) 16 MiB N/A 75 USD Yes https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/tinykitlist/760
PewPew ATSAMD21 (48 MHz Cortex M0+) 32 KiB 2-bit 8x8 (HT16K33) N/A CircuitPython 256KiB N/A 9.99 USD + Feather M0 Express (19.95 USD) Yes https://makerfabs.com/pewpew-standalone.html

Shields and Add Ons

Finally we have shields and Add Ons. To Qualify for this list you need to add buttons and a display.

Name Interface Display Sound Price Schematic Available URL
DigiPixel Arduino 3-bit 8x8 LED Array (Glue Logic) N/A 19.95 USD Yes http://digistump.com/products/108 https://bradsprojects.com/the-digipixel/
Gamby Arduino 96x64 1-bit Screen (S6B0755) 1-bit Buzzer 25 USD Yes http://logicalzero.com/gamby/
GAME ZIP 64 micro:bit 24-bit 8x8 LED Array (NeoPixel) 1-bit Buzzer 36.60 GBP Yes https://kitronik.co.uk/products/5626-game-zip-64-for-the-bbc-microbit
Newbit Arcade Shield micro:bit V2 RGB 160x128 Screen N/A 26.90 USD No https://www.kittenbot.cc/products/newbit-arcade-shield
TomatoCube* micro:bit V2 160x128 RGB Screen 1-bit Buzzer 130 RM No https://tomatocube.com/product/makecode-arcade-shield-for-microbit/
UI Shield D1 Mini 128x64 1-bit Screen (SSD1306) 1-bit Buzzer 16 USD No https://www.tindie.com/products/deshipu/ui-shield-for-d1-mini/

How to Contribute

If I missed a console leave a Pull Request or an Issue. The criteria to be included is.

  1. Be a handheld device (not a console ala Hackivision or computer ala Commander X16)
  2. Purchasable in either kit form or as a product (No one off hobby projects and DIY instructions)
  3. Must be programmable by the end user (No LCD Games, Or Clone Consoles and Emulation Boxes that aren't for Homebrew)
  4. Mustn't run Linux or BSD (No Raspberry Pi based handhelds)
  5. Have buttons and a Pixel Grid Screen (No character LCDs or Touchscreen Only Devices)

Related Lists

https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy (For Fantasy Computers, game engines intended to look or act like a Retro Computer).
https://aced.io/oshw-gaming/ (A similar list that includes consoles) https://www.rghandhelds.com/microhandhelds-specs (A similar list that includes emulation boxes)

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List of Indie Handhelds for hobbyist game making.

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