Wow. So, retro gaming is kind of having a moment, right? I mean, who would’ve thought that all these old games would pop back into our lives so fiercely? It’s like they’re shouting, “Hey, remember me?” And our answer is apparently, “Heck yeah!”
I stumbled across this quirky little gadget called the GamerCard. Picture this: it’s the size of, get this, a gift card! Feels like something out of a sci-fi movie. Grant Sinclair, who’s apparently Sir Clive Sinclair’s nephew (the dude who turned a whole generation into computer geeks with the ZX Spectrum), is behind this. Kind of ironic, really. But let’s not dwell on family trees; it’s the gadget that caught my eye.
Here’s the scoop. The GamerCard’s got this 4-inch IPS screen—which sounds fancy, right?—and these circular control pads with buttons that snap oh-so-satisfyingly. It’s all preloaded with some arcade classics, so it’s like, “Boom! Let’s game!”
Honestly, the thing is kinda charming with its retro vibes. It’s all about instant fun, no setup nonsense. The GamerCard even talks to emulators—Recalbox, RetroPie, Lakka—whatever those are! And coding? Sure, dive into languages like MicroPython or BASIC if you’re feeling smart.
They even snagged two indie games: Bloo Kid 2 and AstroBlaze DX. Both were Switch exclusives, now cozily tucked into this tiny device. Bloo Kid 2 is all action-platformer vibes and AstroBlaze DX has you blasting through space. Pixel art galore!
Needless to say, this thing is thin. Like, 6.5 mm thin. Weighs a mere 100 grams. It looks like you could pluck one up at a checkout counter—right next to the gum.
And hey, it’s more than just fun and games. The device is crammed with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, which sounds powerful enough to fuel a spaceship. Toss in USB-C and HDMI ports, and you’ve practically got a desktop computer. Granted, an expensive one, but still.
Now, if we’re talking wallet damage, this bad boy is costing £125. That’s around $170 for us Yankees. Feels a bit steep when you could grab something like the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro for $149. And, uh, don’t get me started on those Anbernic doohickeys—more power for less cash. Seriously, if you’re scrounging under the couch cushions, those might be the route to go.
So yeah, while it’s easy to lampoon Sinclair’s latest foray, there’s something endearing about it. It’s the kind of weird innovation you can’t help but smile at—even if the price tag gives you pause. So unless retro games make you weak in the knees, maybe think twice. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to dream a little with this blast from the past, does it?
