This ESP32 handheld is a retro emulator, FM synth, and Guitar Hero clone controller all in one

Credit: KixASS1 Published Aug 6, 2026, 10:26 PM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account One of the best parts of being an adult is realising you have the money and the know-how to acquire all the things you coveted as a child. But what if you could make a device that put everything you ever wanted into one handy portable device you can take wherever you want? That's exactly what one Redditor did when they made an ESP32-S3 handheld that combines several uses into a single device. This multi-purpose handheld puts everything onto one board Why have it do one thing when it can do many things instead? Over on the ESP32 subreddit, user KixASS1 shared their story. Ever since they were a kid, they wanted a copy of Guitar Hero and a Game Boy, but they could afford neither. However, now that they're an adult with adult money and know-how, they decided to make their own handheld console instead of buying both. The end result is a cool portable device that can swap between a Guitar Hero clone and a retro emulator on boot. As an adult, KixASS1 also really wanted an OP-1 or an Elektron. Unfortunately, both of them, as KixASS1 puts it, cost "thousands of moonies," so he decided to also add an FM synth to his invention. Finally, he added a voice assistant, putting the list of features to four: GROOVEBOX - FM synth, wavetable, serum patches and a sampler with a step sequencer WC-HERO -Guitar Hero style rhythm game, plays on the buttons RETROGO - retro game emulator BADRUL - voice assistant, you hold a button and talk to it It all runs off an ESP32-S3 with 16MB flash, a 2.8" ILI9341 SPI display, a line out, an onboard speaker, LEDs, and an SD card to load everything. Each app has its own partition on the SD card, meaning that KixASS1 can make firmware for each one. They haven't released any how-to guides or plans on how to make your own, but it's a cool example of how people can use the tech to make their dream device come true.