Nephew of ZX Spectrum Creator Develops Gift Card-Sized Raspberry Pi Gaming Console with 4-Inch IPS Screen and Preloaded Arcade Games

So, here’s a weird thought I had while digging into retro gaming. You know how everything old is new again? Like, vinyl and all that? Anyway—retro gaming’s having this big moment. And the coolest thing? These new devices that make old games feel surprisingly… now. Like, you’re playing old-school Mario and somehow it just clicks. Weird, right?

So there’s this new gadget out—tiny as a gift card (who decided it should be that size, I have no clue). Grant Sinclair made it. Oh, he’s the nephew of Clive Sinclair, the dude behind the ZX Spectrum. It’s like déjà vu with a twist of irony—like family traditions meeting tech.

This thing—GamerCard®, they call it—runs on a Raspberry Pi. Has this sweet 4-inch screen. Ever notice how those screens have this crisp look with 254 PPI? It’s like staring into pixels that whisper secrets. What really grabs me are the control pads, kind of like old arcade buttons, which gives a serious throwback vibe.

And it’s instant fun out of the box with arcade games. I’m talking plug-and-play, like you’re back in the 80s but without the bulky hair.

Then, there’s this whole launcher thing with massive icons—it’s like playing with jumbo Legos. Which is clever, ‘cause it does old games plus lets you run stuff like Recalbox (anyone else struggle saying that fast?), RetroPie, and even Lakka. PICO-8 games fit right in, and coding is an option if you’re feeling adventurous.

Oh, and two games—Bloo Kid 2 and AstroBlaze DX—both ported over. Bloo Kid’s a platformer, AstroBlaze a space shooter, very pixel-artsy and perfect for this thing’s screen. Gotta love when pixels tell stories better than words sometimes.

Back to the device—it’s practically paper. 6.5 mm thick. Ever seen it hanging at the shop like candy at the checkout? Kinda genius marketing. They ditched typical cases for a stack of PCBs, which honestly makes it feel more personal. You’re holding what you’re playing, no barriers.

It’s not just for fun though. Cracks open to this whole extra life—it’s got the guts of a little computer because of the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, processor and all. Sweet internal storage too. Also has a Qwiic connector for sensors and such. You don’t have to pry it open, which is nice unless you’re into tinkering things apart for kicks.

It’s got USB-C and HDMI, which is kinda wild. Plug in some peripherals, and voila—you’ve got a pricey mini desktop. Speaking of cost, £125 or about $170. That got me thinking, “Is it worth even half a kidney?” There are cheaper options like Retroid Pocket 4 Pro or Anbernic handhelds, which could make you pause. But hey, go big or go home?

I’m hyping it while wondering—is the charm worth the cash? It’s pricey for what’s essentially a nostalgia magnet. There’s a charm, sure, but you almost need to be hypnotized by nostalgia to justify it to your wallet. I won’t bash the creativity, though—it’s there in spades.