Blaze Europe GameGadget

The Blaze Europe GameGadget is a horizontal retro handheld launched in 2012, built around a simple philosophy: pure retro gaming without unnecessary extras. It runs Linux and is compatible with the OpenDingux scene. Although it is now discontinued, it remains an interesting pick for collectors and fans of old-school gaming.

Inside sits a single-core Ingenic JZ4750 SoC based on the MIPS XBurst architecture, clocked between 360 and 433 MHz and paired with 64 MB of RAM. That is enough for NES, Game Boy Advance and Sega Master System, which run fine. SNES is playable but usually laggy. The supported platform list also includes Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Sega Game Gear, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis, PC Engine, Neo Geo, MAME, CHIP-8 and ScummVM. PlayStation is listed too, but since SNES already struggles, it is best treated as experimental.

The 3.5-inch TFT display runs at 320 x 240 (QVGA) with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 60 Hz refresh rate, giving roughly 114 ppi behind a plastic lens. The 4:3 format matches the native shape of classic games, so NES, Game Boy and Sega titles keep their correct proportions without artificial stretching.

Controls follow a classic layout: a PSP-style separated cross D-pad placed in the upper position, four face buttons, L1 and R1 shoulder buttons and a dedicated reset button. There is no analog stick and no rumble, which keeps the focus firmly on 2D games. The plastic body measures 140 x 75 x 16 mm and weighs just 120 g, so it is easy to carry and comfortable in longer sessions. Power is handled by a physical switch, while volume and brightness are adjusted from the menu.

A 1320 mAh battery powers the device and charges over Micro USB. Dual front-facing stereo speakers direct sound toward the player, and there is a 3.5mm headphone jack for private play. An AV output lets you connect the handheld to a TV, and storage comes in the form of 2 GB on SD.

On the software side, the stock Linux system can be replaced or complemented by OpenDingux, opening the door to customisation, homebrew applications and optimised emulators.

Ideal for: collectors of retro handhelds, OpenDingux enthusiasts and players who mainly want 8-bit and Game Boy Advance era classics on a light, pocketable 4:3 device.