Pocket Power: Ingenious Maker Squeezes Retro Console into Mint Tin

The freshest retro project of the year!

The humble mint tin. Usually home to chalky breath fresheners, occasionally repurposed for storing guitar picks or tiny screws. Less common, however, is finding one housing a fully functional retro gaming console – yet that’s precisely the rather clever accomplishment of maker Jack Woods with his Pi-Tin project. Forget bulky hardware; this is pocket-sized nostalgia packed tighter than, well, mints in a tin.

Building on the spirit of earlier DIY projects that crammed Raspberry Pi computers into everyday objects, Woods’ creation stands out for its refined design and custom approach. At its heart is the capable, diminutive Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, a board popular in the maker community for its small footprint and surprising power. But simply stuffing a Pi into a tin wasn’t the goal; achieving a clean, integrated build required more finesse.

The solution involved designing a bespoke Printed Circuit Board (PCB). This custom board neatly incorporates not just the Pi Zero, but also essential gaming controls – a D-pad and action buttons – alongside a crisp 1.5-inch OLED display. Audio output and USB-C charging are also cleverly integrated, making the Pi-Tin a remarkably self-contained unit. Squeezing all this into the notoriously cramped confines of an Altoids-style tin is no mean feat, demanding careful component selection and layout. The project, initially brought to life via a successful Kickstarter campaign, runs emulation software like RetroPie, granting access to a vast library of classic games from bygone eras.

While the Kickstarter phase is complete, the Pi-Tin serves as a potent demonstration of the ingenuity thriving in the DIY electronics scene. It’s a testament to how readily available components and open-source spirit can transform ubiquitous items into unique, functional gadgets. For those inspired by this minty-fresh take on retro gaming, Woods generously shares project details and resources on his website, offering a blueprint for others tempted to build their own pocket powerhouse.

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