The concept of SuperNatural comes from the combination of “super” and “nature,” describing phenomena that go beyond the limits of natural laws and scientific explanation. These are events or experiences that exist outside the ordinary, often carrying a sense of wonder or even mystery. In different cultures and throughout history, supernatural occurrences have inspired awe, curiosity, and sometimes fear. Imagine if these rare and extraordinary natural phenomena could become part of our daily lives, reimagined through creative and thoughtful design.

Designer HG K explores this idea with the SuperNatural concept collection. This project takes inspiration from rare and powerful natural events, translating their visual forms and movements into everyday objects. Each piece in the SuperNatural collection is rooted in a specific phenomenon, reinterpreted as a functional device that brings a sense of the extraordinary into everyday routines.

Designer Name: HG K

The first device, called Extinction, is a lighting product inspired by the drama of meteoric collisions. Just as a meteor shines brighter as it races toward Earth, the LED in Extinction grows more intense as it slides down a metal track. The base of the lamp doubles as a tray for small items, shaped with gentle hills and curves to evoke natural landscapes. A dinosaur figure on the tray acts as a playful power switch, connecting the cosmic theme to a moment of extinction in Earth’s history.

Snowspot is the next device in the collection, a compact speaker designed to capture the sensation of heavy snowfall. It takes the form of snow being shoveled, and when pressed, the internal materials compress to mimic the feeling of stepping into freshly fallen snow. This tactile experience connects users directly to the rare and sometimes disruptive phenomenon of a heavy snowstorm, but in a way that feels cozy and inviting.

The third device, Voom, draws inspiration from volcanic eruptions, one of nature’s most powerful forces. Voom is a document shredder that uses the imagery of lava spewing from a volcano. As you feed paper into the shredder, it emerges in strips, just as lava flows from a volcanic vent. The device is practical for both home and office, with simple controls for shredding and reversing, and it securely destroys documents while adding a burst of visual excitement to an otherwise routine task.

SuperNatural is a conceptual project, but it sparks the imagination by blending the extraordinary forces of nature with everyday functionality. Each product is a reminder that even the most familiar moments, such as turning on a light, listening to music, or shredding documents, can be infused with a sense of wonder. These designs encourage us to see the world differently, finding inspiration in the rare and powerful events that shape our planet.

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The relentless glow of modern smartphones has become both a blessing and a curse, turning our pockets into portals of endless distraction. With every ping, pop-up, and notification, our eyes are glued to screens that leave us squinting, tired, and sometimes just plain overwhelmed. Blue light bombardment, endless scrolling sessions, and the constant pressure to stay connected have transformed what should be helpful tools into sources of digital fatigue and anxiety.

But what if your next phone or pocket device could help you break free from that exhausting cycle? A new wave of phone-sized gadgets is putting eye comfort, focus, and digital wellness front and center, challenging the idea that more features always mean better experiences. Here are five standout devices that completely rethink what it means to stay connected, productive, and truly present in our hyperconnected world.

TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra

The TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra looks like a modern Android phone from a distance, but its display is anything but ordinary once you pick it up. With a matte, paper-like finish and zero flicker technology, this phone is built specifically for people who want to read, write, and scroll without the usual eye strain that comes with traditional screens. A physical switch on the side lets you toggle between “paper” and “color” modes instantly, making it easy to dial down distractions when you need to focus.

Designer: TCL

Under the hood, the NXTPAPER 60 Ultra offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, stylus support, and a generous 5,200mAh battery that easily keeps up with your day. It’s a full-featured smartphone with all the Android apps you’d expect, but the display technology makes it feel more like carrying around a sophisticated digital notebook than a typical glowing slab. The experience is surprisingly comfortable, even during marathon reading sessions.

What We Like

• Exceptionally comfortable for the eyes with zero flicker and ultra-low blue light
• Full Android experience with stylus support for note-taking and sketching
• Versatile display modes that adapt to your needs and environment

What We Dislike

• Large size pushes the limits of what feels truly “phone-sized” for some users
• Camera and AI features are underwhelming compared to flagship smartphones at similar prices

Mudita Kompakt

The Mudita Kompakt is a minimalist’s dream device, wrapped in a sturdy, pocketable shell that feels refreshingly different from today’s glass rectangles. Its monochrome E Ink display is incredibly gentle on the eyes, perfect for calls, texts, and the occasional note without any of the usual smartphone distractions that pull you into endless scrolling sessions. The phone is designed specifically for digital detox, with a strong focus on privacy, wellness, and intentional simplicity.

Designer: Mudita

With days-long battery life, IP54 dust and splash resistance, and thoughtful hardware touches like a real headphone jack and satisfyingly tactile buttons, the Kompakt feels like a modern classic. It’s not about cramming in apps or endless features that you’ll never use. Instead, it’s about reclaiming your attention and enjoying a quieter, more intentional relationship with technology that actually serves your needs rather than demanding constant engagement.

What We Like

• True E Ink screen provides exceptional eye comfort with no blue light or flicker
• Superb battery life measured in days, not hours
• Minimalist, distraction-free design that encourages mindful usage

What We Dislike

• No app store or third-party apps means limited functionality for some users
• Relatively bulky design for such a small screen compared to modern smartphones

Bigme HiBreak Pro Color

The Bigme HiBreak Pro Color represents a rare breed in the smartphone world: a true E Ink device with a color display and full 5G connectivity that doesn’t compromise on essential phone features. It runs Android 14, supports calls and texts like any regular phone, and even includes a stylus for note-taking or sketching when inspiration strikes. The Kaleido 3 color E Ink screen is remarkably easy on the eyes, especially for reading articles or messaging outdoors, where regular phones become unreadable mirrors.

Designer: Bigme

With Google Play support, generous storage options, and a battery built specifically for endurance rather than just getting through the day, the HiBreak Pro Color is perfect for anyone who wants the eye-friendly benefits of E Ink technology without giving up smartphone essentials. It’s designed as a productivity tool that doesn’t constantly tempt you with flashy animations or attention-grabbing notifications, letting you focus on what actually matters.

What We Like

• Full phone functionality combined with the comfort of color E Ink technology
• Excellent legibility in bright sunlight where regular phones struggle
• Stylus support and full app ecosystem for productivity and reading

What We Dislike

• Color E Ink is still noticeably muted compared to vibrant LCD or OLED displays
• Some ghosting and refresh lag, especially when navigating quickly through apps

reMarkable Paper Pro Move

The reMarkable Paper Pro Move takes the beloved reMarkable note-taking experience and shrinks it down into a genuinely pocket-sized package that goes anywhere you do. Its color E Ink display is specifically engineered for note-takers, readers, and anyone who craves a distraction-free digital space for capturing and developing ideas. Weighing just 235 grams and designed to slip effortlessly into your pocket, it’s built for people who think while they move.

Designer: reMarkable

With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and eSIM connectivity for messaging and seamless cloud sync, the Paper Pro Move transcends the traditional boundaries of what a digital notebook can be. Its premium build quality, impressive battery life, and remarkably accurate handwriting-to-text conversion make it a favorite tool for those who want to focus on thinking and creating rather than constantly tapping and swiping through endless interfaces.

What We Like

• Outstanding writing and note-taking experience that feels remarkably close to real paper
• Color E Ink display perfect for highlighting and organizing visual information
• Extremely portable design that fits comfortably in most pockets

What We Dislike

• Not a full phone replacement since it lacks voice calling capabilities
• Limited app ecosystem compared to full Android or iOS devices

BOOX P6 Pro

The BOOX P6 Pro represents the next evolution of the phone-sized e-reader concept, offering both color and black-and-white E Ink display options in a form factor that truly feels pocketable. Running a full Android operating system, it supports messaging apps, reading platforms, and note-taking software, with stylus support for those moments when you need to jot down ideas or sketch out concepts on the fly.

Designer:
BOOX

With a hybrid SIM tray for connectivity, generous storage capacity, and a design that feels as comfortable and natural in your hand as holding a paperback book, the P6 Pro is built specifically for productivity on the go. It’s the ideal device for anyone who wants the flexibility and app ecosystem of Android without the constant glare, eye fatigue, and battery drain that come with regular smartphone screens.

What We Like

• Choice between color or black-and-white E Ink displays depending on your needs
• Full Android app support combined with stylus input for maximum versatility
• Truly pocketable and lightweight design that doesn’t feel cumbersome

What We Dislike

• Not a complete phone replacement since it lacks traditional voice calling features
• Still in early release stages with limited global availability and uncertain pricing

These five devices prove that staying connected doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your eyesight, attention span, or peace of mind. Whether you’re drawn to the versatility of the TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra, the intentional simplicity of the Mudita Kompakt, or the focused productivity of the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, each offers a refreshing alternative to the endless scroll of mainstream smartphones. The future of mobile devices might just be about doing less, but doing it better.

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The e-reader world has been buzzing with speculation about a “BOOX Palma 3” for months, with leaks and teasers hinting at Onyx’s next move in the pocket-sized reading device market. The race to make e-readers more portable, colorful, and connected continues to heat up, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what these devices can do while maintaining the battery life and readability that make E Ink special.

The recently shown BOOX P6 Pro in China appears to be Onyx’s answer to this challenge, though the name is likely a placeholder for the Chinese market rather than its eventual international branding. This phone-sized e-reader combines color E Ink technology with 5G data connectivity, creating a device that feels more like a connected tablet than a traditional e-reader while maintaining the portability that makes pocket reading so appealing.

Designer: BOOX (Weibo)

The 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display immediately sets the P6 Pro apart from its monochrome siblings. You get 300 PPI for crisp text and 150 PPI for color content, making it suitable for everything from novels to comics to digital magazines. The frontlight system with adjustable color temperature ensures comfortable reading in any lighting condition, day or night.

The hardware specs reflect serious ambitions for such a compact device. The quad-core processor and around 8GB RAM should handle multitasking and note-taking apps smoothly, while 128GB storage with microSD expansion provides plenty of space for a substantial library. Android OS opens up access to various reading and productivity apps beyond the standard e-reader experience.

The 5G connectivity deserves special attention as a genuine differentiator. Unlike Wi-Fi-only devices, the P6 Pro can download books, sync notes, or access cloud libraries anywhere with cellular coverage. However, this isn’t a phone replacement, since the SIM support is data-only, like a tablet, so you can’t make calls or send SMS messages despite the phone-like form factor.

Of course, understanding where the P6 Pro fits among its competitors helps clarify its appeal. The BOOX Palma 2 offers the same RAM and storage plus waterproofing, but sticks to black-and-white E Ink and 4G connectivity. The Bigme HiBreak Pro Color matches the P6 Pro’s color capabilities and stylus support, plus voice features, but lacks 5G and feels less pocketable.

That said, the BOOX P6 Pro’s combination of color, compactness, and 5G creates a unique position in the market. You get the only pocket-sized color e-reader with next-generation cellular connectivity, making it ideal for commuters, travelers, or anyone who wants their reading device to stay connected without hunting for Wi-Fi networks.

The physical page-turn buttons and slim profile suggest this device is designed for one-handed reading, whether you’re standing on a train or lounging in a coffee shop. The color support makes it particularly appealing for comic readers, students with textbooks, or anyone who wants magazines and newspapers to look more like their print counterparts.

The BOOX P6 Pro represents what happens when e-reader makers stop treating connectivity as an afterthought. You can see how 5G might transform the reading experience, enabling instant access to new releases, real-time news, or cloud-based libraries that make your device feel limitless rather than constrained by local storage.

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Lexar has been developing portable solid-state drives for mobile creators, especially the iPhone-centric ones. It first made us a fan with the Go Portable SSD, and now the company has officially launched the ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD, which was first announced in July this year. The SSD for the iPhone, essentially, is available in two storage capacities: the 1TB capacity ES5 is priced at $120, while the larger, 2TB variant will set you back $200. A 4TB variant is in the plans, but it wouldn’t start shipping before Q1 of 2026.

The new SSD is bigger and faster than the Go Portable. It is twice as fast and slightly longer in length, but can effortlessly stick to the back of your iPhone (thanks to MagSafe compatibility) and be your memory companion on the go. The ES5 Magnetic SSD is, of course, inclined more toward the Apple ecosystem, but it doesn’t completely ignore other possibilities. It caters to your storage needs of professional-grade mobile video recordings, no matter the ecosystem.

Designer: Lexar

According to the press information, the ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD is compatible with any type of USB-equipped device, like a tablet or smartphone. It can deliver a read and write speed of up to 2000MB/s. The speed is just a factor. What makes the SSD an even more compelling choice is its durability. The ES5 has an IP65 dust and water-resistant rating and is designed with a silicone shell to survive a 10-foot fall on a hard surface.

The drive weighs 49 grams. It is 3.34 x 2.12 x 0.43 inches in size, making it easily portable, whether you choose to carry it in a pocket or a backpack. It is provided with a USB-C cord for charging. The cable also serves as a lanyard for the drive. Besides the speed and durability, it’s the ES5’s quirky magnetic design that allows the drive to snap onto your iPhone with support for MagSafe. For compatibility with other devices, Lexar provides the ES5 with a metal ring that sticks to other devices or surfaces where you may want to mount it.

Stuck to the back of an iPhone, the drive can handle tasks like recording 4K ProRes videos and storing high-quality images. According to the information available, the Lexar magnetic SSD clipped to the iPhone 150 Pro and 15 Pro Max models can unlock 4K recording at 60fps, and with the iPhone 16 and the new 17 models, it can handle up to 120fps.

When it is paired outside of the Apple ecosystem, for example, with the Samsung Galaxy S25 models, the ES5 can capture 8K videos at 30fps. Additionally, with the PCs that support USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, the drive can offer high transfer rates that are comparable to and even better than many capable portable SSDs on the market.

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Apple’s been sitting on the original AirTag since April 2021, and frankly, it’s about time we saw a refresh. The first-gen tracker has been solid, sure, but four years without an update feels like an eternity in the Apple hardware cycle. Now we’re hearing credible whispers that AirTag 2 could drop this October alongside a surprisingly stacked lineup of accessories and mid-tier hardware refreshes. If the rumors hold up, we’re looking at the M5 iPad Pro, a redesigned Apple TV, and potentially a beefier HomePod mini that could actually compete with Amazon’s newly announced Echo lineup instead of sitting in isolation while the other smart speakers forge ahead.

The timing makes sense when you consider Apple’s recent pattern of holding October events for non-flagship releases. The AirTag 2 isn’t going to headline a September iPhone showcase, but bundling it with iPad Pro updates and smart home gear? That’s a coherent story about Apple’s ecosystem expansion, and it gives Tim Cook’s team a chance to own the holiday shopping narrative beyond just phones and watches.

Designer: Sarang Sheth

Let’s talk about what’s actually changing with the AirTag 2, because the upgrades sound incremental but consequential. The big one is the new Ultra Wideband chip, which supposedly pushes the precision finding range from roughly 30-40 meters up to 90 meters. That’s a 125% increase in effective range, and it fundamentally changes how useful these things are in sprawling parking lots or multi-story buildings. The current AirTag’s range works fine if you’re searching your apartment, but it starts to fall apart in larger spaces where you need that extra distance to get a directional ping. Pair that with improved Bluetooth connectivity between the tracker and your iPhone, and you’re looking at a device that should feel noticeably more reliable in real-world scenarios where walls, interference, and crowd density mess with signal strength.

A personal gripe I’ve had with the AirTag has been its ridiculous thickness. At 8mm thick, it’s now fatter than the iPad lineup and even the iPhone Air. For a tracking device, this feels sort of embarrassing considering this is the one product that benefits from slimness (as opposed to smartphones). Although this is probably wishful thinking, a slimmer AirTag 2 is also probably in the works. Will it retain the CR2032 battery or move onto something more fixed that charges wirelessly? Honestly, the CR2032 replaceable battery is a solid choice, although imagine just leaving your AirTag on a charging mat (or on a wireless power bank) and having it topped off in just mere minutes. Here’s to hoping that the AirTag does justice to the ‘Air’ in its name, with a slimmer, sleeker, more pocket-friendly design.

The anti-stalking improvements are where Apple’s clearly trying to get ahead of the bad press that’s plagued the original AirTag. We’re hearing about a tamper-resistant speaker that’s harder to disable, which addresses one of the most legitimate criticisms of the first model. Bad actors figured out pretty quickly that they could pop open an AirTag and yank the speaker, turning it into a silent tracker. Apple’s solution sounds like it involves better internal securing or possibly adhesive that makes disassembly destructive. They’re also adding a “very low” battery warning on top of the existing low battery alert, which is a small quality-of-life thing but saves you from that moment when your AirTag dies mid-trip because you ignored the first warning.

The cynic in me wonders if the AirTag 2’s improvements are enough to justify upgrading if you already own the original. Probably not, unless you’re constantly losing things in large spaces or you’re paranoid about the stalking vulnerabilities. But for anyone who skipped the first generation (or just wants to add new AirTags to their existing portfolio), this looks like the tracker to get. October can’t come soon enough.

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SUSA is a bold new concept in AI-powered companion devices, designed by Future Facility as a visionary project for ASUS. In a world where artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of our daily routines, SUSA emerges as a thoughtful reimagining of what it means to live with technology that truly understands and supports its users.

Unlike typical smart speakers or digital assistants, SUSA is designed to serve as an intelligent and emotionally responsive companion. Developed as a conceptual project for ASUS, the device leverages advanced AI to learn routines, preferences, and contexts, adapting its responses to suit the individual. With SUSA, the focus isn’t just on automating tasks or providing answers but on creating a meaningful and intuitive relationship between user and device.

Designer Name: Future Facility

One of SUSA’s most innovative features is its emphasis on emotional intelligence. The device is engineered to recognize subtle cues in voice and behavior, allowing it to respond empathetically. Whether it’s offering calming support during stressful moments or celebrating your achievements, SUSA’s goal is to provide a sense of understanding and companionship that goes beyond typical digital interactions.

The physical design of SUSA reflects the same commitment to user experience. Future Facility has crafted a device that blends seamlessly into any living space, with a minimalist and inviting aesthetic. The interface relies on voice, soft lighting cues, and gentle movements, making interactions feel natural and unobtrusive. This approach ensures that SUSA is not only easy to use but also enhances the atmosphere of the home rather than detracting from it.

SUSA’s conceptual platform is also designed for openness and adaptability. It can connect with a wide range of services, manage schedules, control smart home devices, and deliver reminders, all while learning and evolving to fit a user’s unique lifestyle. Accessibility is at the forefront, with features that ensure people with different needs can benefit from SUSA’s capabilities, making technology more inclusive for everyone.

Privacy and security are fundamental to SUSA’s design. The device incorporates strong data protection measures and gives users control over their information. With capabilities for local processing, sensitive conversations and interactions can remain private, building trust between the user and their AI companion. SUSA represents a new direction for ASUS and Future Facility, showing how AI can move beyond functionality to foster genuine emotional connections. It highlights a future where technology doesn’t just work for us. It works with us, enriching our well-being and supporting us both practically and emotionally.

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Drone delivery technology is advancing quickly, and one of the most intriguing new concepts comes from the Mechanical Engineering department at Polytechnique Montreal. Their design, known as the kirigami parachute, offers a fresh take on how packages might be safely delivered from the sky in the future. Inspired by the Japanese art of kirigami, which involves folding and cutting paper to create patterns and structures, this innovative idea could help solve some familiar challenges in aerial deliveries.

Traditional parachutes have been a staple for many airborne tasks, but they can struggle to control descent in windy or unpredictable conditions. The kirigami parachute concept introduces a clever network of holes and slits, arranged in specific patterns, to regulate airflow and keep the parachute stable. These patterns are designed to help prevent packages from swinging or spinning as they descend, even when the wind picks up.

Designer Name: Mechanical Engineering department at Polytechnique Montreal

What makes the kirigami parachute concept stand out is its potential for highly accurate deliveries. In drone logistics, getting a package to land exactly where it’s supposed to is crucial. A missed drop can lead to damaged goods or safety issues. Early tests and simulations suggest that the kirigami design could help packages land closer to their intended targets compared to traditional round parachutes, thanks to its improved stability.

Another appealing aspect of this concept is how compact it can be. Kirigami parachutes are designed to fold flat, making them easy to store within the limited cargo space on drones. This could make them especially useful for commercial drone delivery systems, where every bit of space and weight matters. Plus, the design is flexible enough to be adapted for different sizes of packages, from small medical shipments to bigger consumer deliveries.

Environmental impact is a growing concern for all delivery systems, and the kirigami parachute concept addresses this as well. By using less material without sacrificing strength or functionality, it has the potential to be more eco-friendly than traditional parachutes. This could help make widespread drone delivery services more sustainable in the long run.

It’s important to note that the kirigami parachute is still a concept, not yet a commercial product. The team at Polytechnique Montreal is continuing to refine their design, and it has caught the eye of both researchers and industry leaders looking for improved solutions for drone deliveries. As interest in fast and contactless delivery services continues to grow, innovative ideas like this could play an important role in shaping the future of package transportation.

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So here’s the thing about One Piece merch: most of it is either mass-produced plastic junk or overpriced statues that take up half your shelf space. But every so often, something slips through the cracks that actually respects the source material while doing something fresh. Enter Dwarf Factory’s Portgas D. Ace artisan keycap, a piece so ridiculously detailed it feels like someone shrunk down Oda’s sketchbook and trapped it in resin. This isn’t just another keycap; it’s a micro-diorama of Ace’s fiery defiance, complete with swirling flames, a smirk that screams “I don’t care if Akainu’s here,” and enough fan service to make even the most jaded keyboard enthusiast pause their paycheck direct deposit. And yes, it’s compatible with Cherry MX switches, because what’s the point of looking this good if it can’t even sit on your ESC key?

The Ace keycap drops at a time when artisan keycaps are stuck in a weird limbo between functional tech and collectible art. Dwarf Factory, though, seems to have cracked the code by leaning hard into the “art” part. The keycap is part of their Artisan Keycap Collection 2, which also includes Sabo, because of course it does, you can’t have Ace without his brooding little brother lurking in the background like a gothic shadow. Priced at $50, it’s not cheap, but then again, neither is the emotional damage of remembering Marineford every time you glance at your keyboard. The specs are straightforward: SA R1 profile, 1U size, 17mm tall, hand-painted resin, and designed to fit Cherry MX clones. The real magic, though, is in the details.

Designer: Dwarf Factory

The translucent resin dome encasing the figure is filled with hand-painted orange and red flames that look like they’re actively licking at the edges, as if Ace is mid-transformation and about to turn your entire keyboard into a bonfire. The sculpt itself is a masterclass in miniaturization, from the tiny, smug grin on Ace’s face to the blue sad/happy pins on his hat—a detail so specific it’s basically a love letter to fans who still argue about whether Ace or Sabo would win in a fight. The base isn’t neglected either, featuring a pirate-themed design with a Jolly Roger that subtly nods to the Whitebeard Pirates, because subtlety is relative when your keycap is literally on fire.

The craftsmanship is immaculate. Dwarf Factory sculpted, painted, and encapsulated a moment, freezing Ace in a perpetual state of rebellious cool. The resin dome isn’t just for show; it magnifies the details, making the flames pop and giving the whole piece a sense of depth that’s rare in something this small. And because it’s hand-painted, no two caps are exactly alike, which means your Ace might have a slightly different smirk than mine, and honestly, that’s the kind of chaos the One Piece fandom thrives on.

At 17mm tall, it’s taller than your average keycap, which means if you’re the type of person who bottoms out their keys like they’re mashing a controller during a boss fight, you might find it a little awkward. But that’s missing the point. This keycap isn’t for typing out spreadsheets; it’s for flexing. It’s for placing it on your ESC key, sitting back, and waiting for someone to ask, “Wait, is that Ace inside your keyboard?” And then you get to drop the lore bomb about how he died for his brother, Sabo’s alive, and Luffy’s still out here crying over both of them. It’s a conversation starter, a flex, and a tiny monument to one of anime’s most tragic characters, all in one.

If there’s a downside, it’s the price and the fact that this is, inevitably, a niche product. $50 is a lot to drop on a single keycap, especially when you could buy a whole set of decent PBT caps for the same amount. But for One Piece fans who also happen to be keyboard enthusiasts, this is the rare piece of merch that bridges both worlds without feeling like a cheap cash grab. And let’s be real, if you’re the kind of person who’s already deep into custom keyboards, you’ve dropped $50 on worse things. Like, have you seen the prices of GMK sets lately?

The post The One Piece Keycap Your Mechanical Keyboard Has Been Waiting For first appeared on Yanko Design.

The fascination with 8-bit games and chiptune music continues to inspire makers who want to create their own tools for both play and artistic expression. While you can emulate classic games on modern devices or use software to create chiptune tracks, there’s something special about building dedicated hardware that captures the tactile, authentic experience of vintage consoles and synthesizers.

What makes the Ntron Arcade project particularly compelling is how it combines both passions into a single, buildable system. This open-source DIY project lets you 3D print and assemble your own device that functions as both a retro game console and a chiptune synthesizer, bringing the hands-on satisfaction of maker culture to the nostalgic world of 8-bit entertainment.

Designer: Artifextron

The hardware centers around a Raspberry Pi that serves as the brain for both gaming and music creation. The 3D-printed enclosure houses everything in a compact, retro-inspired form that feels like authentic gaming hardware from the 80s. You get detailed files for printing the case, custom gamepad, and keyboard, all available through open documentation that guides you through every step of assembly.

The build process itself becomes part of the appeal. You’ll repurpose parts from an M Audio Keystation for the keyboard, sand and paint keys for that perfect retro finish, and wire custom electronics for power management. The project requires both 12V for the amplifier and 5V for the Pi, managed through a custom power board and careful filtering to ensure clean audio output.

Of course, the dual functionality sets this project apart from typical retro gaming builds. Game Mode lets you play classic 8-bit titles using original NES controllers or the custom gamepad you’ve built. Synth Mode transforms the device into a chiptune workstation, complete with an audio visualizer and the ability to sequence authentic NES-style sounds using four voices: two square waves, one triangle, and one drum channel.

The chiptune engine uses the “Happiness” module from Twisted Electrons, which faithfully recreates the sound of classic game console audio chips. You can craft melodies, build rhythms, and layer sounds that capture that nostalgic gaming vibe, whether you’re composing original tracks or recreating classic game soundtracks.

That said, the real satisfaction comes from building something with your own hands. The project teaches you about electronics, 3D printing, audio engineering, and retro gaming hardware, all while creating a device that’s genuinely useful for both entertainment and creative expression. The open-source nature means you can modify, improve, or adapt the design for your specific needs.

The Ntron Arcade project taps into the maker movement’s love of hands-on creation and the enduring appeal of retro gaming culture. You can see how projects like this bridge the gap between nostalgia and innovation, letting makers build their own tools for play and creativity while learning valuable skills along the way. Sometimes the best entertainment systems are the ones you create yourself.

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The LEGO 72046 Game Boy released a couple of months ago, is one of the smallest video game sets released by the group to rejoice this fall. That said, the display set lacked just one little thing: the ability to play real Nintendo games. Natalie the Nerd, who’s a renowned Game Boy modder in the community, has got the dead set to play actual Game Paks, or any other modern homebrew titles. The Aussie modder even promised avid fans that she’ll release a $50 kit, so that you can play arcade titles on your LEGO Game Boy.

Even before the set became officially available for purchase a few days ago, Natalie took measurements from the announced press documentation of the set to create the custom kit. According to the tech-savvy modder who knows the Game Boy inside and out, rerouting the CPU, PCBs, power regulation, and capacitors is not much of a challenge for her. The main challenge was fitting everything inside the housing to make playing games possible.

Designer: Natalie the Nerd

What might seem like a cake walk for Natalie isn’t at all easy, as it involves taking the millimeter-perfect measurements and then 3D printing the custom components. She had to build a special circuit board to make the thing work without going for the easy way out – without going down the emulation rabbit hole. The space-conscious build within the LEGO model uses the LEGO model’s cartridge slot to fit the real cartridges to play games. Since she didn’t have the real thing until only a couple of days now, she was in the unknown about the tactile behavior of the LEGO buttons on the thing. Thankfully, LEGO Group takes things seriously, and the buttons work fine to implement real-world functionality. For now, to make the A and B buttons function perfectly, she has held them in place with an elastic band. As a permanent fix, Natalie will 3D print a LEGO piece to hold a custom PCB for the intended functionality.

According to Natalie, the power circuit is one used for her Safety Charger boards, tweaked to have a soft latching power button. The board also has extra pinouts for the 3D printed button matrix and audio. The power input is via the USB-C port connected to the 3D printed adapters that look like LEGO studs for a snug fit. The build has the speaker’s function missing as she’s figuring out how to connect them to the audio pins. The rear panel that holds the fake cartridge in place now has a slot that initiates the game for real.

The aftermarket she’s going to create for interested modders will require some basic level of soldering skills and circuitry know-how. Since it is going to be a raw affair, only wannabe modders are advised to go ahead with buying it. Natalie hasn’t detailed the availability of the DIY kit for the LEGO Game Boy, but it should be available in the coming weeks.

The post Aussie modder turns the dead LEGO Game Boy into a functional handheld first appeared on Yanko Design.