Retro gaming continues to inspire modern hardware projects, and the Pico-Pal handheld console is another thoughtful reinterpretation of one of the most recognizable portable gaming designs. Developed by hardware designer Peter Khouly, the handheld draws clear inspiration from the classic Nintendo Game Boy Color while integrating modern microcontrollers, wireless connectivity, and expanded functionality. Rather than replicating the original hardware exactly, the Pico-Pal blends nostalgia with a flexible development platform aimed at gamers and hackers alike.
At its core, the is powered by a Raspberry Pi RP2350B microcontroller paired with an Espressif ESP32 coprocessor. The RP2350B serves as the primary processing unit, handling emulation and system control, while the ESP32 provides wireless connectivity via integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This secondary chip also includes 4MB of flash storage and supports functions such as Bluetooth audio or network communication. The RP2350B itself features 16MB of flash memory, giving the device sufficient storage and processing headroom for running classic handheld titles and additional utilities.
Designer:
Instead of the reflective LCD panel used in the original Game Boy Color, the handheld uses a 2.6-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 320 × 320 pixels. Its square 1:1 aspect ratio suits classic handheld games particularly well, allowing retro titles to appear sharp while maintaining the visual proportions they were originally designed for. The improved screen technology also delivers wider viewing angles and brighter colors compared with older displays. Powering the device is a 1,500 mAh lithium-polymer battery that charges through a USB-C port supporting 5V/1.45A input. This rechargeable setup replaces the disposable batteries used by earlier handheld systems and provides several hours of gameplay on a single charge. Current development estimates suggest that the handheld can operate for around five hours during normal use.
Beyond its role as a retro gaming handheld, the Pico-Pal has been designed as a flexible development platform. According to Peter, the device includes various input/output capabilities and compatibility with common communication interfaces such as SPI and I²C. This allows developers to use the handheld as a portable development kit for the RP2350 platform, enabling projects ranging from custom software tools to experimental hardware integrations. The platform can even function as a universal remote, portable music player, pedometer, or security testing device capable of simulating Bluetooth or USB input signals.
The design also incorporates several modern usability improvements compared to traditional handheld consoles. One example is the soft-power system, where the physical power switch triggers the console to save its current state before entering a low-power standby mode. Instead of abruptly cutting power like older devices, the Pico-Pal can quickly resume gameplay from where the user left off. Development updates also mention additional features such as real-time clock support for games that rely on time tracking, Bluetooth audio functionality, and digital video output that could allow the handheld to connect to external displays. Though one feature that is an absolute steal is the ability to play MP3 files off the storage, for music buffs like me.
Although the Pico-Pal closely resembles a Game Boy Color at first glance, its philosophy is quite different from modern FPGA-based retro consoles. Rather than focusing on perfect hardware recreation, the project embraces a microcontroller-driven design that balances efficiency and versatility.
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