If you thought the Game Boy Micro was small, check out PocketSprite

By Steven Petite Published February 9, 2018

PocketSprite: Gameplay Sneak Preview

In 2016, we wrote about an itty bitty Game Boy pieced together by a software engineering manager and hobbyist hacker Jeroen Domburg. Not only did the device play actual Game Boy games, but it fit on a keychain. Pretty neat, right? Well, now you have the chance to claim the ridiculously tiny portable devices for yourself, as the PocketSprite has entered crowdfunding on Crowd Supply. You might want to act fast, though.

PocketSprite’s campaign kicked off on February 7 with a $20,000 target. As of writing, it has already exceeded $25,000 in less than two days. All 200 of the early bird models have been claimed at the $45 price point, and most of the early bird hacker editions (assembly required) have been spoken for. As of now, there isn’t a limit on standard $55 models, but well over 100 have already been scooped up.

Recommended Videos

Domburg linked up a manufacturer to mass produce his creation. PocketSprite’s specs haven’t changed much since the original prototype:

Processor: ESP-32 dual-core (240MHz)
Storage: 128Mb flash
RAM: 520KB (up from 512KB)
Display: OLED (25mm by 22mm)
Sound: 13mm mono speaker
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Battery: Li-ion rechargeable (a few hours of playtime on a full charge)
Interface: Directional pad, four face buttons (A, B, Start, Select)

Please enable Javascript to view this content

While those specs won’t blow people away, they get the job done. Plus, PocketSprite is approximately 2 inches tall and an inch wide.

Like the original prototype, PocketSprite supports the GNUBoy emulator for both Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. SMS Plus emulator support has been added, so you can add both Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System games to your library. Both emulators are pre-loaded on the device, and Domburg promises that every game from those four platforms works on PocketSprite.

PocketSprite makes the process for adding new ROMs quick and simple. Using Wi-Fi, you can add a new game from Windows, Linux, Mac, or Android with a press of the button. Of course, you have to download the desired ROM to your other device first before transferring it wirelessly to PocketSprite.

PocketSprite also comes loaded with a few open-source games, and thanks to the open source software, you can create your own games for PocketSprite. You may even get paid for doing so. PocketSprite will host a coding challenge that awards the winning creator 1,000 euros (about $1,222).

Early bird editions ship April 15, while standard models go out May 15. If you’re interested in reading more about PocketSprite, we recommend taking a good look at its crowdfunding campaign which goes into exhaustive detail on its development and testing process. It may even convince you to back the $200 aluminum case model fitted with a quartz screen protector.

As with all crowdfunded campaigns, however, you should be aware of their perils.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Steven is a writer from Northeast Ohio currently based in Louisiana. He writes about video games and books, and consumes…

Computing

Dell slashed the price of the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop with RTX 4080 by $420

The Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop with Baldur's Gate 3 on the screen.

You should be on the lookout for gaming laptop deals if you're thinking about making an upgrade -- these devices are pretty expensive, so any discount will help cushion the blow on your wallet. Here's an offer from Dell to consider: a $420 discount for the powerful Alienware m18 R2 with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card, which reduces its price to $2,380 from $2,800. You can either pocket the savings or use them to buy more video games and accessories, but you need to act fast because there's a chance that the gaming laptop's price will be back to normal as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop
The Alienware m18 R2 makes a run at the best gaming laptops with top-of-the-line specifications and a striking design. In addition to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card, which our gaming laptop buying guide says is among the top-tier GPUs, the machine is equipped with the 14th-generation Intel Core i9 processor and 32GB of RAM that's the sweet spot for high-end gamers, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. You'll be able to play the best PC games at their most demanding settings on the Alienware m18 R2, and you'll even be prepared for the upcoming PC games of the next few years.

Gaming

3 PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (February 14-16)

Players charge at each other in Chivalry 2's Arena mode.

PlayStation surprised us earlier this week and a new State of Play showcase that highlighted a ton of upcoming PS5 games to look forward to, such as Metal Gear Solid: Delta and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. However, we have a long time to wait for most of those games, and even longer if you want to snag them on PlayStation Plus. This month has no shortage of new games coming out to play, but if you don't have the time or money to get them all, PlayStation Plus has you covered. We picked out some gems from the catalog that might have gone under your radar at the time. Whether you want a deep RPG, fantastic party game, or hardcore multiplayer title, these are the games you should play this weekend.
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds - Come to Halcyon Trailer | PS4

There's a good chance that Avowed will eventually make its way to PS5, but right now, there's no official word on that. What has been on PlayStation Plus for a while is the last major RPG from Obsidian, The Outer Worlds. Often compared to a Fallout in space, this is a more contained RPG experience where you explore several hub locations rather than a single open world. The entire game is a parody on corporations, capitalism, and class that hits way more than it misses. You are given a ton of different build options, and the companions are some of the best we've had the pleasure to meet. This isn't a huge game, but we do need to give you fair warning that it is leaving the service this month so you will need to commit to it if you want to finish it all. Even if you don't, it is worth a purchase to be ready for The Outer Worlds 2.

Gaming

How to rebind skills in Avowed

A spellcaster holds a book in Avowed.

Making proper use of all your best abilities in Avowed is the easiest of the tips and tricks you can take into the game. When you begin, you will have your healing and mana potions set on your quick select bar, followed by the first skill you unlock and first companion ability. That's great in the early game, but it isn't long before you unlock new skills that you want on that slot more than what is put there for you. You can always access all your abilities through the tactical menu, but that is a bit cumbersome. Instead, here's how you can remap your quick skills to whatever you want.