This Pocket-Sized Console Allows You to Create and Play Your Favorite Retro Games

Ah yes, the golden age of gaming, a period both relished and nostalgically craved by game fanatics. This time period debated among buffs. Yet, most agree the golden age began around the late 70's and gained steam throughout the 80's, around the introduction of vector display technology.

Referenced most recently in Season 2 of Stranger Things, some games that you may have lost hours of your life too include Donkey Kong, Centipede, Pole Position, QBert, Space Invaders, or even Dragon's Lair. These games laid the framework for both modern games now and your childhood. As you ventured from level to level, did you dream of creating your own game? Gamebuino aims to bring that childhood fantasy to life.

Create and Play with Gamebuino 

Out of that retro gaming nostalgia, Aurelien Rodot created the Gamebuino, a handheld device reminiscent of the Gameboy Advanced, that allows you to create and play your favorite classic games. The first iteration, the Gamebuino Classic, was a pocket-sized gaming device that allowed you to play "all the games you want for free." The games you play or create are part of a broader open source community. The skeletal hardware makes it very simple for you to create a game.

What comes after the Gamebuino Classic is the Gamebuino META. Introduced this year, the Gamebuino META is an "Arduino on steroids." The new color screen and late 80's retro design provides gamers an even more golden aged gaming experience. The Gamebuino team says, "The Gamebuino META is a retro console designed and made in France. Play all the games you loved with a fresh, new experience. Above all, it will allow you to make your own games and learn programming." 

For those who think programming a game may be out of reach, the Gamebuino team hopes to make that aspiration super attainable and exciting.

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"That is why we strive to make programming initiation a fun and easy experience. The Gamebuino META is the first step. With your help, it will not be the last," says the team.

This new Gamebuino META design is optimized for players who want to play all day without a hitch. "We wanted this console to be unique, not only by its design but also by its features. The new backlights and color screen push the game experience beyond the screen edge. These eight individually controllable RGB LEDs project flashes, explosions and any special effects you want right into your hands," states the team.

If you like what you see and hear, you should go and support the Gamebuino team's Kickstarter campaign.