have never held a console that is entirely transparent and features a see-through screen. The Arduview project is currently available on Kickstarter, and while its futuristic design immediately grabs attention, it leaves us wondering whether you can actually play games on it or if it is just an expensive desk trinket. Measuring roughly the size of a standard credit card and just a bit thicker, the device easily slips into any pocket.
How it works in practice and what the controls feel like
Managing your gameplay relies on a remarkably specific set of controls: the body features only four buttons, three of which double as mini-joysticks.
The fourth button sits as a small black square under the left control cluster and serves as a home button to return to the main menu, though in practice it can occasionally jam beneath the plastic housing. A USB-C port handles both battery charging and loading new games, and you will not find any wireless or online capabilities here.
The Arduview features a 1.51-inch transparent OLED display with a resolution of 128x64. The main selling point—its transparent screen—looks striking, but raises plenty of questions about everyday usability.
You can hold the console up to your eyes and peer through it at real-world objects like houseplants or pets, which creates an amusing visual layer. In practice, however, that see-through display forces your eyes to focus simultaneously on low-resolution game pixels and whatever is happening in the room behind the screen, causing quick eye strain. On the bright side, the graphics remain legible even under direct sunlight.
Battery life and construction drawbacks
A red LED indicator stays lit during charging and turns off once the battery is full.
Our hands-on testing also revealed a few frustrating hardware quirks: the review unit lacked any sound output because it has no built-in speaker, and pressing the A button in certain games bizarrely toggled audio on and off, rendering the feature pointless. While the handmade nature of the device gives it genuine Kickstarter charm, the buttons feel unfinished, resembling temporary prototypes rather than final controls.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Extremely compact credit-card footprint, striking transparent OLED screen that remains readable outdoors, and genuine garage-maker appeal.
- Cons: Eye strain from the dual-focus transparent display, lack of a built-in speaker or proper sound output, and finicky, prototype-grade buttons.
Alternatives
If you want something ultra-portable without sacrificing playability, named alternatives include the Analogue Pocket for premium retro gaming, the Playdate with its unique mechanical crank, or a standard TrimUI Model S for a pocket-sized handheld that actually plays sound.
Who it suits and who it does not
The console will definitely find an audience among Kickstarter gadget collectors and hardware enthusiasts who appreciate unusual form factors, but it falls short for daily gaming sessions. Anyone looking for a comfortable travel companion for long trips should stick to traditional portables with proper ergonomics and audio.
Specifications
Release date: not announced
Price: not announced
Manufacturer website: https://www.kickstarter.com
Specs:
- Display: 1.51-inch transparent OLED 128x64
- Size: 85mm long x 43mm wide x 13mm thick
- Weight: 50g
- Chip: ATmega32U4
- Storage: 16mg Flash
- Battery: 130mAh
- Port: USB-C
Verdict
In our view, the Arduview is a fascinating conversation piece for collectors rather than a practical gaming device. Unless you specifically want a transparent novelty item for your desk, your money is better spent on a traditional handheld.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Arduview have a headphone jack? No, the device lacks audio output capabilities entirely.
- Can I download games wirelessly? No, all game files must be transferred via the USB-C port.
What it signals
A striking transparent body turns the Arduview into an instant crowdfunding magnet, yet this very see-through design ruins basic gameplay. Staring at pixel graphics while involuntarily tracking the room behind the screen strains the eyes within minutes. An eye-catching engineering gadget that shines on a desk right until you actually turn it on.
Our stories: Arduview Transparent Console: $100 8-Bit Handheld Coming 2027 (September 5).