Arduboy Just Released a Wallet-Sized Gaming Device With 300 Games and a Way to Play Together

Kevin Bates has released a new tiny handheld game console called the Arduboy FX-C. It fits in your wallet, comes with 300 classic games built in, and for the first time, lets two players connect their devices together using a USB-C cable—the same type of charging cable that works with most phones.

The device runs on simple, older-style game code that's been open source since the original Arduboy came out in 2016. That means anyone can see how it works and create games for it.

More Games, and Now You Can Play With a Friend

The new FX-C model jumps from 200 games on the previous version to 300 games. More importantly, it adds the ability to plug two Arduboys together with a USB-C cable so two people can play games that need both players connected.

Using USB-C for this is a practical choice. USB-C is already everywhere—your phone probably charges with it—so you don't need any special cable. The cable can also handle the data between two devices faster than older connection methods could.

What It Costs and How to Get One

Kevin Bates is selling the Arduboy FX-C in a few ways. A purple-button version called the Founder's Edition costs $99, but only 500 will be made. You can also buy two devices together for $178, though only 100 of those bundles exist. The two-pack option is cheaper per device if you want to play multiplayer games from the start.

How It Actually Works

The Arduboy FX-C runs on a small computer chip called the ATmega32U4. This chip is old by today's standards, but it's efficient—it doesn't need much power, so the battery lasts a reasonable time on a tiny device.

The FX-C stores all 300 games by using external memory—think of it like plugging an external hard drive into an old computer. The main chip can access all those games without running out of its own limited storage space.

The device is completely open source, which means the plans are public and anyone interested in coding can modify it or create new games for it.

What This Means for the Gaming Community

The multiplayer feature opens up new possibilities for game makers. Until now, Arduboy games were designed to be played by one person. Now developers can create games that require two people, which could make for more interesting and complex experiences than single-player games allowed.

Making multiplayer work on such a small, weak device isn't simple. Game creators will have to be creative to handle things like making sure both devices stay in sync and communicate properly—all while working with very limited computing power. This constraint has often pushed creative solutions in the past.

Having 300 games also matters. The original appeal of the Arduboy was that it came with a carefully chosen selection of games, not just every game ever made. With 300 titles, there's enough variety for different tastes while keeping that curated feel.

The broader context here is that the Arduboy has maintained a loyal following since 2016 by doing something focused well instead of trying to compete with modern smartphones. The FX-C follows that same approach—improving what it does rather than pretending to be something it isn't.

The device comes in limited quantities. This reflects the realities of making hardware in small batches, and it also creates urgency among the dedicated fan base that has kept this platform alive for nearly a decade.

The Arduboy FX-C positions itself squarely for the niche it has always served: people who enjoy retro games and developers interested in exploring what creativity can emerge from working within strict hardware limits. For that audience, a way to play together is a genuine step forward.