First Look: GameBub, the Open Source FPGA Retro Handheld

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Published on August 27, 2025 4:02:04 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jY6Eaj7DRE

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👉 The GameBub is a brand-new open source FPGA handheld designed for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance gaming with incredible hardware accuracy. In this first look, Zu and Gary dive into a working prototype of the GameBub, which is currently available for backing on CrowdSupply. Unlike traditional emulation-based retro handhelds, FPGA devices recreate the original hardware at the circuit level, offering near-zero latency, precise input response, and authentic gameplay that feels just like the original handheld.

Built on an Artix XC7A100T FPGA, the GameBub is powerful enough to handle Game Boy Advance cores at only a fraction of its processing capacity, leaving room for future systems like SNES and more. Featuring a 4-inch 720x480 IPS LCD screen, solid battery life of 12–14 hours, and fully open-source licensing under GPLv3 and CC BY-SA 4.0, this device is built for expandability and community-driven development. Whether you’re a retro handheld collector, FPGA enthusiast, or simply curious about new portable gaming tech, this first look explores everything you need to know about the GameBub prototype. Oh and Zu dies a bunch of times trying to show off old Mario games. That's always fun.

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🎞 ️ Production & Editing by SonyWWDD30 (and Gary for Zu's vids...sometimes)

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#emulation #retrohandheld #retrogaming #fpga #gamebub #opensource

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⌚ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
01:15 - Specs and Features
02:41 - Screen and Form-Factor
04:18 - Creation and Mission of GameBub
05:18 - CrowdSupply Campaign
05:52 - What's FPGA Precious?
09:00 - Ideas for the Future.
10:01 - Oh there's a dock too.
10:31 - What Did We Learn?
12:15 - Thanks for watching!