Nephew of ZX Spectrum Creator Develops Gift Card-Sized Raspberry Pi Handheld Console – GamerCard Boasts 4-Inch IPS Screen and Pre-Loaded Arcade Games

Okay, here goes nothing. I stumbled onto this weird little gadget today, right? It’s called the GamerCard®. Imagine holding a store gift card, only it’s not just plastic money; it’s this crazy gaming device you can actually play on. Grant Sinclair’s the guy behind it, and yeah, he’s the nephew of Sir Clive Sinclair—ever heard of the ZX Spectrum? Anyway, maybe that’s why he’s into these geeky projects. Or he’s just totally inspired by his uncle’s legacy. Who knows.

So, this thing is powered by a Raspberry Pi. Looks slick with a 4-inch screen that’s all bright and pretty or whatever. And, the controls? Kinda funky — circular pads with clicky buttons. It’s like, just pull it out and game away; no setup or anything. Feels effortless, kinda like one of those grab-and-go snacks you can’t resist!

Now, here comes the techy stuff — it rocks its own little launcher with big, bold icons for games and emulators. Ever heard of Recalbox or RetroPie? Yeah, they’re on it. Plus, if you’re into coding, you can fiddle around with MicroPython or whatever. It’s total nerd heaven, right?

Some indie games like Bloo Kid 2 and AstroBlaze DX are on there too, which is kinda neat. Both games have that retro pixel-art vibe. The kind you either love or pretend to love because everyone else does, you know? A little flashy for this tiny screen but hey, it works!

The thing is ridiculously thin and light, feels like you’re holding air. How they fit all that tech in there is beyond me. It’s got USB-C and even an HDMI port, so you could hook it up to a keyboard and mouse if you’re feeling ambitious. Like, could you call it a full-on computer? Maybe? Sorta. But then again, who am I kidding? It’s still just a pricey little toy.

Costs a solid £125, so do what you will with your cash. There are other choices out there — cheaper and maybe more sensible, if I’m honest. But if you dig unique gadgets and can overlook the price tag, this one might just tickle your fancy.

It’s clear they’re banking on nostalgia, for sure. Or maybe they’re just hoping we’ll find it cool enough to ignore the price. Either way, it’s a curious mix of creativity and old-school charm. Worth it? Well, that’s up to you, my friend.