GBA-like Thumby Color: A Playable Handheld with a Tiny Twist

TinyCircuits has recently introduced a Kickstarter campaign for their latest product, the ‘Thumby Color’- a miniature 2-inch Game Boy Advance that is capable of playing games.

TinyCircuits is no stranger to taking Nintendo’s cherished retro handhelds and making them more compact. In fact, the US-based company has been producing tiny, programmable keychains modeled after the DMG Nintendo Game Boy for the past three years.

The company’s focus has shifted to a different Nintendo handheld. Taking inspiration from the Game Boy Advance, TinyCircuits recently commenced a Kickstarter campaign for their latest creation – The Thumby Color.

The Thumby Color preserves the essence of the iconic Game Boy Advance, with its signature purple color, while also shrinking it down to a compact 2-inch device that retains its gaming capabilities.

Photo of the ThumbyColor taken from the official TinyCircuits X/Twitter account. — TinyCircuits

Despite its small size, the handheld device resembles the GBA and has enough capacity to accommodate a 0.85-inch 16-bit backlit IPS TFT LCD with a resolution of 128 x 128. It also has space for a d-pad, two face buttons, two shoulder buttons, and a functional rumble motor.

According to the Kickstarter campaign video, TinyCircuits incorporated feedback to enhance their initial Thumby release. The new Thumby Color now offers the ability to play four channels of 16-bit audio, and also includes a USB-C port for connectivity and charging needs.

The upgraded device is additionally fueled by the Raspberry Pi 5 processor, giving developers the ability to produce an array of impressive visual effects.

Similarly to its predecessor Thumby, TinyCircuits is offering complimentary resources for fans to develop games that are compatible with the small device.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmfun32n8TQ

Programming the Thumby Color (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmfun32n8TQ)

At the time of writing, the Thumby Color Kickstarter campaign has successfully surpassed its goal and more. TinyCircuits has received an astounding amount of support from 670 backers, surpassing its initial goal of $25,000 with a total of $57,761.

If you desire to own the Thumby Color, the campaign will continue until September 11, 2024. You still have ample time to make a pledge, and the cost for one Thumby Color in the “classic purple”design is only $49.

For those seeking a touch of nostalgia for their device, additional perks include the option of a transparent plastic cover that evokes the aesthetics of the 2000s. Additionally, a limited edition black Thumby Color is exclusively offered through the Kickstarter campaign.