Indie game studio LB’n’Mie have announced a new gaming console, The QuarterCade, coming to crowdfunding site Indiegogo. The crowdfunding campaign is set to begin October 3rd.
The QuarterCade, named after the era of quarter-driven arcade games, is designed as a more affordable gaming console. The price is currently set at $349. A Switch 2 or PlayStation 5 will set you back around $500, while the cheapest available SteamDeck is $399 (not including the $80 docking station).
The developers describe it as a hybrid PC-console, though I could also argue that any console is basically a dedicated PC that only does gaming.
But, the major consoles have closed ecosystems, and their own stores. The QuarterCade is much more of an open-ended PC, running on Linux, and uses Steam’s incredibly vast library of games (and discounts!). There are no online subscriptions or accessories. The console will support USB and Bluetooth controllers, as well as modding and advanced graphical settings.
The flip side is that The QuarterCade isn’t as powerful as modern consoles. Here are the full specs:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 6800H (Zen 3+, 6nm)
Base Clock: 3.2 GHz
Boost Clock: Up to 4.7 GHz
L3 Cache: 16 MB
TDP: 45W
CPU Architecture: Zen 3+
Integrated GPU: AMD Radeon 680M (RDNA 2 architecture)
Shader Units: 768 (12 Compute Units)
Base GPU Clock: ~400 MHz
Max GPU Clock: Up to ~2.4 GHz
Video Output: 1× DisplayPort 1.4 (rear) – supports up to 4K @ 60Hz via DisplayPort-to-HDMI cable
Display Target: Native 720p–1080p gaming (30–60 fps)
Memory: 32 GB LPDDR5 @ 4800 MT/s (Dual Channel)
Memory Bandwidth: Approx. 76.8 GB/s
Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD (M.2, upgradeable)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
Ports: | 6× USB (3.x Type-A: 2 front, 4 rear |
| | 1× USB Type-C (front) |
| | 1× DisplayPort 1.4 (rear) |
| | 1× Ethernet (RJ45) |
In the trailer, the developers confirm that most modern games will run at 720p to 1080p, with some upscaling to 4k. Demanding games such as Monster Hunter Wilds have to be run on low graphics settings, at 720p. But most last-gen and older games should run fine at 30-60fps.
“For me, The QuarterCade is more than just affordable hardware. It’s about keeping gaming accessible, creative, and fun.”
The crowdfunding campaign (aka, preorders) for The Quartercade will begin on October 3rd. Folks can sign up now to be notified at launch time.
