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Adafruit PyBadge Review: A DIY Gaming Handheld for Makers

Adafruit PyBadge Review: A DIY Gaming Handheld for Makers

Overview

The Adafruit PyBadge is a compact, open-source handheld gaming platform designed for makers, educators, and hobbyists. Built around the powerful ATSAMD51J19 microcontroller (120MHz Cortex-M4), it offers 192KB of RAM and 512KB of Flash storage. The 1.8-inch TFT display with 160x128 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate provides a crisp retro-gaming experience. Weighing only 29.3 grams and housed in a translucent plastic shell, it's highly portable and customizable.

Key Specs Highlights

  • CPU: ATSAMD51J19 @ 120MHz
  • RAM: 192KB
  • Storage: 512KB Flash
  • Display: 1.8-inch TFT, 160x128, 60Hz, 113.8 PPI
  • Dimensions: 85.7 x 54.6 x 10.0 mm
  • Weight: 29.3g
  • Material: Plastic (translucent)

Who It Is For

The PyBadge is perfect for beginners learning CircuitPython or Arduino, educators teaching programming concepts, and makers who enjoy customizing hardware. It's not a high-end gaming console but a versatile development board with gaming capabilities. Great for retro game emulation (e.g., Game Boy, NES) and creating original games.

Buying Notes

No official price or release date is provided. As an open-source product, it's available directly from Adafruit or authorized distributors. Consider purchasing additional accessories like a battery, speaker, or case for extended use. Check Adafruit's website for the latest availability and pricing.

Specifications
CPUATSAMD51J19
RAM192KB
NameAdafruit PyBadge
Weight29.3g
Storage512KB Flash
Grip TypeHorizontal
ProcessorATSAMD51J19
Body ColorTranslucent
Dimensions85.7 x 54.6 x 10.0 mm
Screen PPI113.8
Screen Size1.8 inches
Screen TypeTFT
CPU Frequency120MHz
Shell MaterialPlastic
Screen Resolution160 x 128
Screen Aspect Ratio5:4
Screen Refresh Rate60Hz

Full specs and updates on our site: https://www.oldman.dpdns.org/en/handheld/adafruit-pybadge

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