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FunKey S is a tiny Linux-powered retro-gaming handheld

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Do you love retro gaming? How about pocket sized devices, powered by Linux that you can take anywhere? The FunKey S looks like a really sweet bit of kit. Small enough to keep with your keys, powerful enough to play tons of retro games.

Funded on Kickstarter back in July 2020 which we completely missed, the FunKey team managed to raise €165,760 and they've been taking pre-orders that have proven to be popular so it went out of stock. Powered by Linux and open source, the FunKey S doesn't use a traditional Linux distribution but instead they built it themselves with Buildroot.

They're continuing to expand the selection of systems it supports currently mentioning 10 including: Playstation 1, GameGear, NES, SuperNES, Gameboy (classic, Color and Advance), Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Atari, Neo Geo Pocket, Wonderswan.

Small but looks like it's designed quite well:

  • Large directional arrows and buttons A|B|X|Y|START
  • Generous L1/R1 back shoulder buttons
  • Additional buttons for ergonomic: POWER|Fn
  • 1.54" 240x240 IPS LCD color screen for high contrasts and viewing angle, 50Hz refresh rate
  • Built-in 0.5W speaker for heady retro-sounds
  • Single Micro USB connector for Power + Data Drag & Drop as a standard USB memory stick
  • Low battery / charge indicator
  • Strong metallic strap attachment needle

It includes a number of useful enhancements too, considering it's designed for a little gaming on the go. It wakes when it opens to be ready for you, it will automatically save when you close it up before turning off and it can resume when you open it back up. They're claiming around 5 seconds to boot and be ready to game too.

Since it's open source everything about it sounds easy too. Upgrades are dragging and dropping files while hooked up over USB, developers can add whatever they like to it since it's all open.

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 42.5 x 44.5 x 13.8 mm
  • Processor: ARM Cortex-A7 @ 1.2 GHz
  • RAM: 64 MB DDR2
  • Storage: SD card up to 128GB
  • Display: LCD IPS screen, 1.52”, 240x240 px
  • Audio: ∅10 mm mono speaker, 500 mW
  • Battery: 410 mAh Li-ion battery
  • LED charging indicator
  • Micro USB Port: charge battery, load games

See more on the FunKey website where it will be available from €65. You can find hardware details on Hackaday, plus all the code is up on GitHub.

I must admit I'm tempted by this, what a lovely little device.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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About the author -
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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18 comments
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slaapliedje Mar 16, 2021
Quoting: EhvisWait, no funky puns in this article? You seriously need some time off Liam!
Coincidentally I was looking through the GURPS update pdf for 3rd to 4th edition, and found the 'Punning' skill.

Still find it amazing how detailed one can make their character in the game. Granted someone was arguing that it shouldn't take as much points to learn Weaving as it does to learn Sword, etc. But the game system takes care of that as it doesn't really take the same amount of points to be as good at one over the other. Though to be fair, I tend to think being able to weave would require more knowledge than being able to pick up a metal stick and swing it through the air.
jordicoma Mar 16, 2021
I have a odroid go advance, and it seems better buy than this, similar cpu(little better), 1GB ram, more buttons, more screen, wifi and cheaper.
Gobo Mar 16, 2021
Hm, I like the idea, but
  • squint screen
  • square resolution that is too small for a number of systems mentioned
  • how bright is the display (outdoor ready?)
  • crampy small grip
  • just a mono speaker, no headphone jack, no hardware volume control
  • no word about battery life (or just very well hidden?)


Also: how long will this thing survive being kept in your pocket? Presumably with keys?
spayder26 Mar 17, 2021
For €65 that hardware is terribly overpriced, but it's pretty hard to compete with Anbernic handhelds at this point in quality/price.
Para-Gliding Mar 17, 2021
Ambernic does far more better for the same price, with now a wide group of fans and developpers.

Mine is always ready when I travel ...
zimplex1 Mar 18, 2021
I'll stick with my RG280V for my ultra portable handheld.
ageres Mar 18, 2021
Those Anbernic devices look great. I see there's a model with WiFi, does it have a web browser? Is there a bluetooth connection for wireless earphones? What about installing/launching/updating applications?

It's strange that RG351M is better that RG350M in everything except for its screen. If they release a version with 640×480, I might buy it.
rafagars Mar 18, 2021
Cool project but looks too small for me.
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