In this project, giusimoo89 designed a custom PCB to fit inside the original Sega Game Gear shell, turning it into an FPGA-based handheld console.
Built around a Tang Nano FPGA with the MiSTle framework, it supports multiple retro cores including Amiga, Commodore 64, and others from the repository. The project was developed with Bebbo's Lab, contributing to hardware design and optimization.
A 3.5” Raspberry Pi-compatible display fits perfectly inside the shell for a clean, almost factory-like result, with audio handled by the original Game Gear circuitry.
A key detail is the custom flat HDMI PCB: giusimoo89 created a compact board with an HDMI male connector and flat cable interface to avoid case interference — a rare solution since this connector isn’t normally available off the shelf.
The unit is fully battery-powered, using the Game Gear’s internal circuitry for regulated 5V.
The result? Iconic computers now fit in your hand — a crazy but brilliant FPGA build beyond original li