Giving E-Waste a Second Life: The ESP32 Keychain ConsoleAs makers, we often have bins full of broken electronics waiting for a purpose. Instead of throwing these devices away, I decided to transform an old, broken smartwatch into a fully functional, keychain-sized game console. The goal was to build a tiny, highly entertaining device while actively protecting the environment by upcycling discarded parts, particularly hazardous lithium batteries.
The Hardware: Tiny but MightyAt the heart of this micro-console is the ESP32-C3 Mini, chosen specifically for its ease of use in handmade projects. The star of the show, however, is the 1.3-inch ST7789 IPS display salvaged directly from the broken smartwatch. After a quick search online to map the pinouts, I verified it was a standard 240x240 Arduino-compatible screen.
To complete the build, I paired the screen and microcontroller with the following component
- Three tactile buttons for gameplay
- An AMS1117 voltage regulator (though a low-drop 662k is highly recommended for better efficiency)
- A TP4056 charging board with a modified current limiter resistor to safely match the recycled battery's capacity
- A custom enclosure designed in Fusion 360 and manufactured on my homemade 3D printer https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/diy-tiny-game-console-1-3-st7789-display-esp32-c3
The Software: Retro Classics in Your PocketTo bring the hardware to life, I programmed a single Arduino IDE script that packs three classic games into one file:
- Brick Breaker
- Snake
- Flappy Bird
The code leverages my own custom display library, which supports the 1.3-inch ST7789 display. Firmware flashing is entirely seamless, handled directly via the ESP32-C3's built-in USB support—just select your COM port and upload.
By recycling unused devices, we can give their parts a second life and make a great contribution to nature. Don't be afraid to break things apart—you never know what rare or useful parts you might find inside
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