Nephew of ZX Spectrum Creator Unveils GamerCard: A Handheld Raspberry Pi Console with 4-Inch IPS Screen and Built-In Arcade Games

Sure, here’s a rewritten version with a natural, raw tone:

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Man, okay, so retro gaming is having a bit of a comeback, right? It’s like everyone suddenly remembered they love the stuff. Ha! Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe we’re all just bored. Anyway, there’s this crazy new gadget out—made by Grant Sinclair. Get this: it’s the size of a gift card. Yep, seriously, it fits in your wallet next to that overly ambitious gym membership card.

Grant Sinclair rings a bell, right? Nephew of Sir Clive Sinclair, the guy who threw the ZX Spectrum at us. And wow, did it change the game. But, you know, maybe it’s a bit too obvious his nephew’s still playing in his uncle’s sandbox. I mean, who am I to talk, I still cling to my Walkman sometimes.

So this gadget, called GamerCard®. Picture it: a handheld powered by Raspberry Pi with a super clear 4-inch display. Buttons? Oh yeah, it’s got these funky tactile ones that feel kinda satisfying, almost like popping bubble wrap. Does anyone else find that strangely fun, or is it just me? It comes with a bunch of arcade games too, which is neat if you just wanna jump in without fussing around.

But hold up, it’s not just about those games. There’s a custom launcher with big icons. Kinda like when your phone’s screen’s brightness is too high, but in a good way. You can also run emulators like RetroPie and code with languages like MicroPython. Why? No clue, but hey, it’s there if you need it.

Now, here’s where it gets intriguing. It’s got two indie games—Bloo Kid 2 and AstroBlaze DX—that were Nintendo Switch exclusives. Didn’t see that coming, huh? They fit the device’s vibe with their pixel-art styles. If I squint, it almost feels like I’m holding a tiny virtual art gallery. Almost.

Physically, it’s 6.5mm thick and 100 grams light. Yeah, it’s that skinny supermodel friend who makes you feel guilty for eating carbs. Advertised as hanging on store counters like a gift card—because, apparently, that’s a thing now. You pretty much play what you hold. No bulky case, just raw tech.

And there’s more to this thing—it’s also a mini PC. Uses a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W with enough storage to stash a few embarrassing mixtapes alongside work files. Plus, you can hook up a keyboard and mouse. Want to turn it into a desktop? Sure, if you’re willing to drop some serious cash on a Raspberry Pi.

So what’s the price tag on this quirky genius? £125, which is about $170 for us across the pond. Kinda steep, right? To compare, other retro consoles out there are just as fun and way less of a bank-buster. There’s even some cool clamshell designs going around, like they’re all prepping for a flip phone reunion.

Am I trying to rain on Grant Sinclair’s parade? Maybe a little, but for real, when does coolness trump practicality? It’s like, if you’re not a hardcore retro lover or a fan of tiny tech art, you might find yourself saying, “Is it really worth it?” Still, I gotta hand it to them—this thing’s creative as heck.

And, there you have it. Who knows why I rambled this long, but something about tiny consoles makes me chatty.