It’s been a long road for the team behind the Game Bub, an FPGA retro handheld that’s been in the works for the better part of the past year or two. However, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter by the day, as the Game Bub will begin shipping soon to backers.
This information comes courtesy of an update on the Game Bub Crowd Supply page, where it’s revealed that “the handhelds and docks have finally left the factory and are currently on their way to Mouser’s warehouse in Texas.” The update goes on to confirm that this initial shipment covers those who have already placed an order, meaning that it won’t be long before the Game Bub shows up on your doorstep.
If you’re disappointed that you might’ve missed out on getting one of these, you’re in luck. Apparently, there are “a few hundred unclaimed units in the shipment, waiting to be ordered. There’s a chance that this might be the last time you’ll be able to get the Game Bub, so it’s nice to hear that there are still some left to snag.
In the event that you’re just learning about the Game Bub for the first time, here’s a breakdown of the specs:
| Hardware | |
| CPU | AMD (Xilinx) XC7A100T |
|---|---|
| RAM | 64MB SDRAM, 512KiB SRAM |
| Additional Details | 607.5 KiB Block RAM, ESP32-S3 microcontroller, |
| Display | |
| Screen Size | 4-inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 480 |
| Aspect Ratio | 3:2 |
| PPI | 216.33 |
| Additional Details | 24-bit Color |
| Storage | |
| Internal Storage | ❌ |
| External Storage | microSD |
| Battery | |
| Battery Capacity | 3000mAh |
| Est. Battery Life | 14+ Hours |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Ports | 3.5mm Audio Jack, GBA Link Cable, microSD, USB-C |
| Controls | |
| Sticks | ❌ |
| Triggers | Digital |
| Shoulder Layout | In-line |
| D-Pad | Top Left |
| Audio | |
| Speakers | Stereo |
| Speaker Location | Front-facing |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 85 x 174 x 19mm |
| Weight | 250g |
| Form Factor | Horizontal |
| Software | |
| Operating System | FPGA |
At $269, it might seem like a steep price to pay for a handheld, but it’s only $30 more expensive than the Analogue Pocket. Currently, both the Black and White models are out of stock, leaving the Game Bub as a viable alternative if you want to play your original cartridges on more modern hardware.
Not to mention that the Game Bub is a project of the community, and who doesn’t love being able to support these kinds of projects? Let us know what you think about the Game Bub and whether you grabbed one or will be picking one up following the latest update.
