As someone who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, there's just something about translucent gadgets that tugs at the heartstrings. Despite efforts from companies like Nothing and Analogue, the heyday of atomic purple and glacier blue consoles is largely behind us. That's what makes the Arduview so fun—an homage to retro gaming gear that takes translucency to a new level, even if calling it the world's first transparent console is a bit of a stretch.
Almost every major component is see-through, including the buttons, joystick, PCB and 1.51-inch display. The 128 x 64 screen isn't hi-res, but its brightness holds up even in a sunny room. Based on the open-source Arduboy project, it packs an 8-bit ATmega32U4 chip, a 120mAh battery, USB-C charging and a tiny built-in speaker. It weighs just 50 grams and is smaller than a credit card, though the keychain clip is optional.
Software includes more than 300 pre-loaded games, mostly simple 8-bit titles like Castleboy and Circuit Dude. The Arduview launches on Kickstarter with pledges starting around $75, though backing doesn't guarantee delivery. Stiff, loud buttons and a non-working speaker on this pre-production unit are minor drawbacks.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing