Summary
This ESP32-S3 handheld has a 2.0″ color display, dual analog sticks, haptics, IR, USB-C, fully programmable.
Acts as a handheld or controller with a real-time video on the screen; great for drones, robots, or external consoles.
Kickstarter early bird $55 (regular $59); crowdfunding risks apply – don’t pledge money you can’t afford to lose.
We’ve seen plenty of retro consoles built using a Raspberry Pi or an ESP32 chip, but they often require an external controller to play. However, what if you could have a handheld console where the screen is on the controller itself? Or, better yet, if you had an ESP32 device that could act as a handheld or a controller? Well, someone has made just that, and you can help fund it right now.
The Smart Joystick Controller is more than just a gaming accessory
You can control a lot of things with it
Credit: The Open Gadget
As spotted by Hackster.io, this cool ESP32 controller comes with a little screen in the middle where you can see what you’re controlling. The controller itself is reminiscent of PlayStation’s DualShock accessories, with the advantage that you’ll likely be able to fix it if something breaks.
Of course, because it’s based on an ESP32, you don’t need to use it to game on the little screen. For example, you could wire it up to a console and play your game on a big screen, and perhaps code something up so you get statistics on the controller’s screen. Or you can take the device out of the gaming world entirely and use it to drive robotics or drones. A little first-person camera feed from a drone on the little screen sounds really handy, personally.
Here are all the features that come with the controller:
ESP32-S3 Dual-Core Processor
2.0″ Color LCD Display
Dual Analog Joysticks with 5-Axis Control
6 Programmable User Buttons
Real-Time Video Display Support
USB Type-C for Programming and Power
RGB Status LED
Built-in Vibration Motor for Haptic Feedback
IR Transmitter for Remote Control Applications
Battery Connector for Portable Operation
Dedicated Power Switch
Reset & Boot Buttons for Development
Wireless Connectivity via ESP32-S3
Fully Programmable and Open for Custom Development
Compatible with Arduino, ESP-IDF, and MicroPython
Compact Handheld Design
If you’d like to secure one for yourself, there’s a Kickstarter campaign aimed to help raise funds to sell the controller. Early bird pledgers can score one for $55, while the going price is $59. Just remember that pledging in a campaign does not guarantee a product, and there’s always the chance you won’t get anything at all. Never crowdfund a project with money you’re afraid of losing.
Related
I built my own local-first Ring Doorbell alternative with an ESP32
It works the same way, except without any subscription fees.