You Don’t Need High-Res Graphics to Have Fun Playing Games on the Blink Boy Handheld Console
Chris Parker’s Blink Boy is an open source handheld console with a ridiculously low-res display: just an 11×11 grid of RGB LEDs.
So much of video game technology advancement over the past 60 years has been focused on improving graphics. For instance, the jump from fourth-generation to fifth-generation consoles, like the Nintendo 64, was incredible, as 3D games were suddenly commonplace. But as mainstream video games get closer and closer to photorealism, many gamers have become convinced that graphics are far less important than strong gameplay. With that in mind, Chris Parker of the Tech Random YouTube designed the low-res, open source Blink Boy handheld console.
When we say “low-res,” we’re not talking about 720p or even 480i. Blink Boy’s display is an 11×11 grid of individually addressable RGB LEDs. Even the original Game Boy’s 160×144 screen seems positively lavish in comparison. Though, of course, the full RGB color certainly adds depth that wasn’t possible on the Game Boy’s four-shade monochrome screen.
The Blink Boy’s controls are similarly unconventional. It has just three buttons and a rotary encoder with another built-in button. Those and the LEDs solder onto a custom PCB, which also hosts an ESP32-S3 microcontroller and the lithium battery charger circuitry.
The custom PCB and battery fit into a very well-designed 3D-printable enclosure. It is about as minimalist as a design can get: basically, just a block. But it looks really nice—especially because Blink Boy took advantage of the multi-material printing capabilities of a Prusa XL to add a nice contrasting “BLINK BOY” logo on the back.
As a demonstration, Parker programmed a Snake game that runs on the hardware. That isn’t groundbreaking, but it is undeniably addicting and the colorful, chunky graphics make it really pleasant to look at. This is an open source project, so hopefully other contributors will come up with some creative games that make the most of the low-res, high-color display.
However, it doesn’t stop there. Parker had more in mind than just gaming. Because the ESP32-S3 has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, Parker was able to create apps that communicate with external devices. One example is a “Cast App” that lets Parker control his huge LED wall using the Blink Boy. It does that through MQTT messages coordinated by Home Assistant.
Blink Boy will never replace a modern console, but it has all kinds of interesting potential that is sure to appeal to many.