Thumby (console)
 Thumby game console close up | |
| Developer | TinyCircuits |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | TinyCircuits |
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Ninth |
| Release date | 2022 |
| Introductory price | $9–35 |
| Media | Digital distribution |
| System on a chip | RP2040 |
| CPU | 2 ARM Cortex-M0+ cores @ Up to 133 MHz[1] |
| Memory | 264 KB[1] (SRAM[1]) |
| Storage | 1.4 MB (advertised as 2 MB) |
| Display | 72×40 1-bit OLED |
| Sound | Piezoelectric speaker |
| Connectivity | Link cable |
| Power | 40 mAh Lithium polymer battery |
| Online services | Thumby Arcade |
| Dimensions | 1.2 by 0.7 by 0.3 inches (30.5 mm × 17.8 mm × 7.6 mm) |
| Mass | 4.7 grams (0.17 oz) |
| Marketing target | Programming education[2] |
| Predecessor | Pocket Arcade |
| Website | thumby |
| Language | MicroPython, Arduino |
The Thumby is a small keychain-sized programmable game console produced by TinyCircuits of Akron, Ohio[3][4] and funded by a Kickstarter campaign.[5][6][7] The console measures 1.2 by 0.7 by 0.3 inches (30.5 mm × 17.8 mm × 7.6 mm).
History
[edit]The first concept for the Thumby originated roughly around 2015 or 2016.[3] An early version of the system was shown at the 2016 Bay Area Maker Faire.[8]
A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the console began on September 28, 2021.[9][10] The company projected a production of at least 10,000 Thumby consoles despite the 2020–present global chip shortage.[3] A stated goal was to ship consoles to backers by February 2022, with plans to ship some early units in Fall 2021.[3] The console shipped in 2022.[11] The Verge reported on a follow-up Thumby Color console Kickstarter in August 2024.[12] Listed improvements include a color display, improved processor, and a haptic feedback motor.[13]
Games
[edit]The Thumby includes six preloaded games:
- TinySaur/Saur Run
- Thumgeon
- TinyTennis/Tennis
- Annelid
- Space Debris
- TinyBlocks/TinyTris
Additional games can be downloaded from the internet on a personal computer, then loaded onto the console over USB.
Hardware
[edit]The Thumby is powered by a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.[7] The console provides 2MB of onboard storage.[7] MicroPython is supported with a web based development environment.[14]
A small 0.38 by 0.27 inches (9.7 mm × 6.9 mm) 72×40 pixel 1-bit OLED panel is used as the display.[15][7][16] A buzzer is also included[17] for simple audio feedback.
A microUSB port is used to connect the console with computers, as well as to support the Thumby link cable.[7] This port is also used to charge the lithium polymer battery, which provides about 2 hours of operational runtime with a capacity of 40 mAh.[7]
The system is notable for its small size, measuring at 1.2 by 0.7 by 0.3 inches (30.5 mm × 17.8 mm × 7.6 mm).[15] The console can be mounted on a keychain.[10][15] The system has a mass of 4.7 grams (0.17 oz).[18]
The console casing was made in a variety of colors including gray, dark gray, blue, pink, gold, green, and clear.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "RP2040 specifications". Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi Ltd. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "This Akron startup is Bringing Tiny Technology to the Masses". TechOhio. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Mackinnon, Jim. "Akron's TinyCircuits has its fingers on a new winning product, Thumby". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
- ^ Nethers, Dave (1 October 2021). "Dreaming small: Local electronics company making it big with tiny retro video game". Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Thumb-Sized Game Boy Project, Thumby, Launches A Kickstarter". ScreenRant. Sep 29, 2021.
- ^ "A (Playable) Game Boy For Ants". Kotaku. 29 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Liszewski, Andrew. "How Small Is Too Small for a Game Boy? The Thumby Might Have the Answer". Gizmodo. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ Evenden, Ian (29 September 2021). "Raspberry Pi Powers Keychain Sized Games Console". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Thumby, the 'world's smallest gaming handheld', headed to Kickstarter on September 28th". Nintendo Wire. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ a b Whitehead, Thomas (21 September 2021). "Random: This Tiny Game Boy Is Probably The World's Smallest Game Console". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Playing A Tiny Video Game With My Thumbnails Because I Hate Myself: A Review". TheGamer. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
- ^ Liszewski, Andrew (8 August 2024). "This hand-crampingly tiny GBA clone has a 0.85-inch screen". The Verge. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ Morales, Jowi (9 August 2024). "Tiny keychain console gets Raspberry Pi Pico 2 power boost, comes with 128 x 128 color display and rumble motor". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ Hill, Brandon (29 September 2021). "TinyCircuits's Diminutive 'Thumby' Game Boy Clone Would Make Ant-Man Proud". HotHardware. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Wong, Raymond. "World's tiniest Game Boy is actually playable". Input. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Bright Ideas". Inventors' Digest. 37 (11): 12. November 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Becka, Megan (1 October 2021). "Akron-based TinyCircuits video game keychain hits Kickstarter funding goal in under 2 hours". cleveland. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Meet The World's Smallest Games Console". Retro Dodo. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ Frahn, Enrico. "The Raspberry Pi Pico-powered Thumby is a tiny retro gaming console for your keychain that looks like a miniaturized Nintendo Game Boy". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 14 May 2022.