Micro:Gamer Transforms the BBC micro:bit into a Portable Console

Fabien Chouteau loves the BBC micro:bit, but wasn’t satisfied with the 5x5 LED matrix. As he describes it, it can barely display text and cannot be used for anything beyond very very simple ‘games.’” Still, it’s quite affordable, and powerful, so he went to work adding the needed 128x64 display and buttons needed to make it into a portable console.

Interestingly, instead of placing components on the micro:bit, Chouteau designed a portable housing for the screen and buttons, with a slot on top where users can insert the micro:bit. This cleverly takes advantage of the micro:bit’s edge connector, and allows users to swap out like Game Boy cartridges to switch between games or applications. Additionally, if you only have more games than micro:bits, you can plug a cable into the “cartridge” while inserted into the housing in order to load games and applications.

It’s a brilliant design, and because it has the same screen and buttons as the popular Arduboy system, games can easily be ported from there. It also features AAA battery power and even a lanyard to allow you to take it anywhere. Be sure to check it out on display in the video below, playing and swapping between such games as Dark & Under, and Micro City!