The Retro Gaming Watch combines a smartwatch with a gaming handheld. The 2-in-1 device can be easily detached from the corresponding wristband and held in the hand. The design of the Retro Gaming Watch is clearly inspired by the Game Boy Advance SP, but this also has practical aspects. For example, the inner display of the handheld can be opened, revealing a control pad, buttons for start and select and four action buttons on the lower part, as well as shoulder buttons. This means that Game Boy Advance titles can be played without issue.
A Dialog DA14706 SoC with an ARM M33 processor is installed, which can run at up to 160 MHz and can access two ARM M0 coprocessors for Bluetooth and the sensors. According to the manufacturer, N64 games can also be played. The screen is only 1.54 inches in size and has a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels and a refresh rate of 60 Hz.
Additional modules are also conceivable, but these will depend on feedback from users or supporters. For example, a heart rate sensor could be integrated as well as a camera or a memory card slot. The choice of material for the housing has also not yet been finalized.
The external screen is intended to have the features expected of a smartwatch, such as notifications, time, battery status and weather.
As part of the Kickstarter campaign, supporters can secure a unit for $180. The early stage of development requires patience, as delivery is not scheduled to start until November 2024. Naturally, such a campaign also carries significant financial risk.
I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.
Growing up in regional Australia, I first became acquainted with computers in my early teens after a broken leg from a football (soccer) match temporarily condemned me to a predominately indoor lifestyle. Soon afterwards I was building my own systems. Now I live in Germany, having moved here in 2014, where I study philosophy and anthropology. I am particularly fascinated by how computer technology has fundamentally and dramatically reshaped human culture, and how it continues to do so.
Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
