Destined for supermarket voucher rails, the GamerCard can handle PICO-8, emulators, and slips neatly into your pocket.
I am *really* excited about the GamerCard, the compact handheld Raspberry Pi-powered gaming system created by visionary Grant Sinclair. After our chat on the Gaming Retro podcast a few weeks ago, he’s been busy working on the GamerCard’s release, and has made several videos of the console.
GamerCard official unboxing
First up, there’s a look at the very tasty packaging.
I’ve unpackaged a lot of devices over the years, and I’ve seen some terrible packaging and some inventive, modern boxes that really showcase the hardware inside. This definitely falls into the second category — very nice, I like it!
A look at GamerCard’s PICO-8 compatibility
PICO-8 is a widely available “fantasy console” — essentially a virtual environment for programming and running retro-style games. The GamerCard can run PICO-8, although you will need to purchase and download it ($14.99 to play a huge library of games). However, Educator and “take-home,” Student licences are also available.
Here’s how driving games look running in PICO-8 on the GamerCard:
…and here is a look at some more PICO-8 games on the GamerCard:
Bloo Kid 2 and Astro Blaze
A pair of titles pre-installed on the GamerCard, Bloo Kid 2 and Astro Blaze (a Defender clone) are games previously released on Nintendo Switch. Here’s how they look on the portable Raspberry Pi-powered game console:
When is the GamerCard coming?
The console is expected to launch in early 2026, and I’m really looking forward to it. These videos have underlined what a flexible system it is, as well as being compact enough to pop into your shirt pocket or bag when you’re done playing.
Emulation will make the GamerCard the most compact retro gaming system around.
It’s amazing that a Raspberry Pi-powered console hasn’t already gone mainstream, but I think Grant Sinclair has the right angle on this.
You can learn more about the GamerCard at Grant Sinclair’s website, www.grantsinclair.com.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
