Tweaker raises money to create miniature retro handheld PocketSprite

Tweaker Sprite_tm has started a crowdfunding campaign to create the PocketSprite. It’s a keychain mini console that can emulate Game Boy games, among other things. The small device has an OLED screen with 96×64 pixels.

The PocketSprite from tweaker Sprite_tm has dimensions of 55x32x14mm and is equipped with an ESP32 dual-core soc, which runs at 240MHz. There is 128Mbit flash memory, 520KB ram and 448KB rom. The mini console has the same button layout as a Game Boy. The screen is an OLED panel with a resolution of 96×64 pixels and dimensions of 25x22mm.

The PocketSprite comes with two emulators, GNUBoy and SMS Plus. This makes it possible to play all games for the Nintendo Game Boy, Game Boy Color, the Sega Master System and the Sega Game Gear. A number of open source games are included. Other roms can be put on the PocketSprite via wifi through a web interface.

There will be two versions of the PocketSprite: an assembled version and a kit version. The latter must be put together by buyers themselves. No soldering iron or other special tools are required for this.

Inside the handheld is a built-in battery that would be good for several hours of play. Charging is done via a micro-USB port and there is also a built-in speaker. The PocketSprite is completely open source. All documentation can be found on its website and on a GitHub page.

Sprite_tm co-created the PocketSprite with Steve K. The latter is responsible for production and all logistics surrounding the project. There is a working prototype and the PocketSprite is ready for production, according to the makers.

To make the project a success, $20,000 is needed. The crowdfunding campaign on Crowd Supply runs until March 22. The project can be supported by committing at least $45. If everything goes as planned, the first backers will receive their PocketSprite in April.