Thumby Color review: the tiny retro handheld that’s surprisingly fun

If you’ve ever wanted a portable console that fits on your keychain, the Thumby Color might be the mini gaming gadget you didn’t know you needed. This $50 handheld is a colorful upgrade to the original Thumby, offering a slightly larger screen, better playability, and space for more retro-inspired games. While it may not be a Nintendo Game Boy clone in the strictest sense, it captures the charm of retro handhelds in an ultra-tiny form.

Thumby Color design and improvements

The Thumby Color keeps its adorable size but fixes the original model’s biggest frustrations. The first Thumby had a 0.4-inch black-and-white screen and tiny buttons that were tough to press. The Color version doubles the screen size to 0.85 inches, adds a tangible D-pad pivot, and bumps storage to 14MB—almost 10 times more than before. Its RP2350 chip also doubles the clockspeed, making it far easier to enjoy classics like Tetris, Minesweeper, and 2048 without straining your thumbs or eyes.

Games and retro appeal

Despite its tiny hardware, the Thumby Color punches above its weight with a library of fan-made mini games. You can even find a playable version of Doom, proving how far enthusiasts push this micro-console. The handheld is also a playground for aspiring developers, letting you create and publish games online with ease. It’s a fun mix of nostalgia and creativity, appealing to collectors and hobbyists who love quirky retro tech.

Should you buy the Thumby Color?

For $50, the Thumby Color is more of a novelty than a powerhouse, but it’s undeniably charming. It’s perfect for retro gamers, keychain gadget lovers, and indie developers who want to tinker with micro handhelds. While it won’t replace a Switch or Steam Deck, it’s a conversation starter that actually delivers bite-sized fun on the go.