Consoles are not very pocket-sized these days, are they?. We started off with stuff like the Game Boy range, which could slot into a pants’ pockets pretty easily. Now you need a pretty deep pair of cargo pants to store a Switch 2, if you even can.
4 The PicoPocket is a challenging but rewarding project
Maybe not one for beginners
First up, we have the cool PicoPocket running off of a Pico 2. It’s a great little project that creates a very box-shaped console that you can slide into a pocket and carry with you anywhere. However, this is not an easy build by any means. As the creator puts it:
Before diving in, take a look at the bill of materials and asks yourself if you really want to get involved? You need to be adept at 3d printing and finishing, and soldering 0603 sized SMD components. If all of this looks like a doddle – crack on.
They aren’t kidding. As per their Hackster page, the project’s bill of materials is pretty huge and takes a lot of skill to assemble and use. However, that doesn’t detract from the fact that this is a really cool handheld project for people who want their portable consoles to be truly portable.
3 The Pi Tin squeezes all of its hardware into an Altoids tin
Just don’t eat it
Altoids tins are like little containers of mystery. They could contain sewing needles, buttons, microSD cards, or, heavens forbid, mints. But there’s a good chance you’ve never popped one open to see a fully-contained games console in it.
If that sounds like something you’d want to make, then allow me to introduce you to the Pi Tin. It’s designed to fit within an Altoids tin, but if you’d rather not use one of those, you can just 3D print the shell and put it in there instead. And if you love the idea of this tiny console but you’re not keen on assembling the pieces, you can even buy a kit from its creator.
2 The Pocket SNES is a retro console you can take with you anywhere
Screen not included
If you want a controller that’s a little easier to game on, and you don’t mind having to plug the console into a screen, then be sure to check out the Pocket SNES. It uses an RP2040 to recreate a tiny version of the SNES controller, except it’s not just the controller; it’s the entire console, too. All you need to do is plug it into a display via the port at the top, and you can emulate SNES games to your heart’s content.
In fact, you can get away with playing anything that isn’t too system-intensive:
Despite its small size, the Pocket SNES works fairly well. We initially used the controller to play Broforce, we had to map its buttons to control our avatar or character. Basically, we can use this controller in any game; we simply need to map the keys.
It takes quite a bit of engineering to make, but if you can stomach that, you can have one of the coolest pocket consoles out there.
1 The GamerCard is a pre-made console you can buy
Something for those who just want to game
Finally, we have the GamerCard. This is less a project and more of a product, as its creators have opened a store from which you can buy a premade console. It’s a little pricey, but for good reason; they’ve somehow managed to squeeze an entire miniature console into something that’s shaped like a gift card. You can run plenty of games on it, and it even comes with a few titles of its own:
A convenient emulation device capable of running thousands of games from multiple classic systems—ideal for retro fans, developers, and educators alike. Preloaded with two multi-level action games (with more coming soon via our Pi games store app), GamerCard® delivers off the peg gaming in a format everyone understands.
Plus, it definitely looks the part.
Take your Pi wherever you please
From tiny handheld consoles to full-blown products, there are plenty of Raspberry Pi projects out there to suit everyone. Because if nobody else is going to make a truly portable console, we may as well be the ones to do it instead.
