Eddie Tay's Retro Dreamer G4A CM4 Puts a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 in Your Game Boy Advance

Maker Yang Kuan "Eddie" Tay has launched a crowdfunding campaign for a board which turns a Nintendo Game Boy Advance vintage handheld console or compatible third-party shell into a retro-gaming powerhouse driven by a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4): the Retro Dreamer G4A CM4.

"Retro Dreamer G4A (Games For All) allow you to build your own retro handheld gaming console by using [the] powerful Raspberry Pi CM4 module with the classic handheld gaming console shell case," Tay explains of the project — which has a few twists over and above similar designs.

At its heart, the board is a re-spin of My Retro Game Case's earlier design powered by the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3. The move from a SODIMM form factor to the use of high-density connectors in the Compute Module 4 meant a ground-up redesign — complete with clever swappable cartridges which carry micro-SD cards and other add hardware like Wi-Fi modules.

The kit-form bundle, which comes with a replacement motherboard, 3" 640x480 display, a single cartridge with either microSD or microSD and Wi-Fi on board, a replacement screen bezel and protective lens, speaker, and accessories, can be installed with only minor modifications in an original Game Boy Advance shell — though adding in an analog stick, which you need to supply yourself, and additional buttons requires drilling through the front plate.

A ready-to-run variant, installed in one of the company's custom shells, comes with everything pre-installed — plus both the non-Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi game cartridges and a 32GB microSD card to get you up and running as quickly as possible.

The project is now funding on Kickstarter with physical rewards starting at S$145 (around $107) — and you'll have to supply your own Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. Hardware is expected to begin shipping in December this year.