The Game Boy inspired Bittboy sparked a handheld revolution in 2019 - here’s how it holds up five years later

Mar. 7, 2024

An itty bitty 8-bit handheld trendsetter

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

As a handheld collector and retro enthusiast, it’s easy to forget exactly which consoles you own. Don’t get me wrong, I can rhyme a chunk of the obvious ones off the top of my head, but while sorting through my moving boxes and migrating things into a new vintage-themed space, I stumbled across an old portable pal. Upon reading the words ‘Bittboy’, it dawned on me that arguably, it could be considered the very device that sparked the current handheld emulation market that exists today, and a lot has changed since it introduced cheap classic joy to the masses.

Itty bitty 8-bit design

The very first thing that popped into my mind while gazing at my refound friend was “hold up, this thing is tiny!” Like a dork, I quickly found myself sizing the Bittboy up against other bits of tech, eventually discovering that it’s the same size as my old iPod classic, and it puts theSuper Pocketto shame size-wise. If that’s not truly pocket sized then I’m three goblins in a trench coat pretending to be a hardware editor, which might actually be true but it doesn’t change the device’s dinky dimensions.

Of course, there’s a good reason why the Bittboy is itty bitty, and it’s mainly because there’s not much going on inside. I mean, there are enough innards to ultimately pull off its goal of running old Gameboy games, but it’s painfully obvious that most of its weight actually belongs to the lithium battery stowed away round the back. It doesn’t quite feel like it’s going to float out of your hands in the same way that the infamousMcNugget Tetris handhelddoes, but then again, this didn’t come out of a kid’s Happy Meal.

To call the Bittboy an uncanny Gameboy might sound like a negative, but the homage actually comes together aesthetically. Touches like ensuring the buttons are maroon, including a glass screen lens with a similar bezel, and keeping details like the speaker grille and options buttons in the same place help hammer home its inspiration. I do think it’s a good thing that newer devices now focus more on ergonomics over whether engraving on the shell looks like a Nintendo classic console, even if I can completely vibe with tiny versions of old systems.

Speaking of ergonomics, the Bittboy doesn’t know the meaning of the word. Playing it isn’t going to cause your hands to instantly cramp, but holding the tiny console does make me feel a bit like Godzilla getting some game time in before giving Ghidorah the beat down. Its buttons and d-pad feel far more serviceable than I thought they would now that I’ve tried superior options, ignoring the fact the cheap plastic sometimes squeaks during use.

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

For the most part, I’m happy to report that Bittboy doesn’t feel ancient, at least when it comes to running 8-bit romps. Its operating system in its current state is incredibly basic, and you’ll have to scroll down text lists to find your desired ROM, but every game I tried fired up just fine and delivered nice, crisp pixels on its 3.5-inch screen. The sound wasn’tterribleeither, managing to screech impressively loud, so much so that I had toGooglewhat the volume controls are (it’s select + the right-hand grey buttons labeled ‘T’).

Having had my fill of trying Croc 2 on the GBC, throwing balls at pocked-sized monsters, and getting infuriated at Mega Man, I granted myself permission to tinker. By that, I mean I set out to see whether there was a new OS that could provide greater emulation capabilities. To my amazement (and amusement), there’s still a website live with firmware updates that looks far older than it actually is thanks to the 2000s dawn of the internet vibes. So, I grabbed the latest patch to give the old gal the best chance at impressing me, keeping in mind it’s up against fresh contenders.

I’m not exaggerating when I say using newer custom Bittboy firmware completely revamps things on the software front. From featuring a new Gameboy-inspired rolling text intro to providing a pretty pleasing interface with cover art and icons, the OS provides everything I’d more or less expect from a device today, not to mention it bakes in a whole bunch of other emulators. We’re talking everything from NES, SNES, and PS1 to more niche platforms like the Vectrex and MSX, all packed into something the size of a credit card.

Look, I know, by today’s standards that’s not overly impressive, and my brief stint trying Tomb Raider made me feel a little sick thanks to choppy frame rates. Still, it’s easy to see how this device could have kickstarted the retro revolution happening in the handheld scene today, as its ambitions are all more or less a reality that can now be exceeded for under $100.

Considering you can now grab options by Anbernic and Miyoo for next to $60 that can outpace the PSP’s capabilities, I think it’s safe to say the emulation scene has evolved. I mean, we’re even seeing premium portables like the Ayn Odin 2 take to the stage with impressive Android tricks and enough horsepower to mimic most consoles out there.

Looking for something that can run the latest games? Check out thebest gaming PCandbest gaming laptopoptions for high spec rigs. Alternatively, swing by thebest Steam Deck dockif you’re looking to turnValve’s portable powerhouse into a hybrid.

I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.

8BitDo’s latest Switch controller is perfect for a very specific type of player

Asus TUF A14 review: “a wonderful step towards a portable and powerful future”

Dev behind new Doki Doki Literature Club-style psychological horror says it’s not “for those with weak hearts,” but with 98% positive Steam reviews, I’m not sure I can stay away