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RayTriangle’s miniature DOOM console is a custom ESP32-S3 build packed into a pair of 9.5 mm television antenna plugs. It sends a picture to a TV’s antenna input using homemade analog video and RF circuitry, and takes game input from an Xbox Series X controller over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Its documented target is PAL television with a VHF tuner—not every modern TV.
What is the tiny DOOM console?
It is a maker-built home console, not a documented retail product. The creator chose the ESP32-S3 as its processor and added DOOM as a project constraint. The finished electronics, including a battery, fit inside two small antenna plugs that form the enclosure. Hackaday covered the build on October 8, 2026, describing it as a console inside a TV antenna plug. The “world’s smallest” label is the project’s framing and Hackaday’s headline; the available coverage does not independently establish a world record. Hackaday’s report
How does it connect to a television?
Rather than relying on a composite-video connection, the console generates an RF signal for a television’s antenna input. That lets the tiny enclosure act as an antenna-plug console, but it also means the TV needs a compatible tuner and signal standard.
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The ESP32-S3 does not have a fast DAC suited to directly synthesizing the required television signal, so the creator designed digital output circuitry around lookup tables and resistor networks. The write-up describes precomputed tables for PAL chroma waveforms and luma, an 8-bit R-2R resistor DAC for composite video, and a two-transistor mixer to produce RF output. The RF carrier is derived from a divided ESP32-S3 clock output.
#1 Best Overall
- PLAY ANYTIME, ANYWHERE – Ultra‑mini keychain game console with 6 tactile controls and OLED display ready with 5 built‑in retro games; portable nostalgia in your pocket.
- EASY PROGRAMMING – Learn coding using MicroPython via free browser editor; no software install required, perfect for beginners and educators.
- ADD, UPLOAD & SHARE – Expand the fun: load new games, animator drawings, or animations via USB; join the vibrant Thumby community.
- MULTIPLAYER FUN WITH FRIENDS – Link two Thumby consoles (cable sold separately) for simple, shared gameplay like Pong or Tennis.
- RECHARGEABLE & BUILT TO LAST – Includes a 40 mAh Li‑Po battery for around 2 h of gameplay; charges with any micro‑USB cable, durable polycarbonate build.
For the PAL B/G channel 2 target discussed in the write-up, the design divides a 240 MHz system clock by five to obtain a 48 MHz carrier, compared with the cited 48.25 MHz target. Those are design figures reported by the creator, not an independent test or a finding of regulatory compliance. RayTriangle’s August 3, 2026 project write-up
Why the final circuit differs from early experiments
The creator says an initial four-resistor DAC could produce playable DOOM, but had limited color resolution and visible color distortion. The later 8-bit DAC and transistor mixer improved color and image stability compared with simpler experiments. The creator also notes trade-offs involving modulation depth and brightness; Hackaday characterizes the visible result as somewhat noisy. These are build observations reported by the creator and article, not independent laboratory evaluations.
Rank #2
- PLAY ANYTIME, ANYWHERE – Ultra‑mini keychain game console with 6 tactile controls and OLED display ready with 5 built‑in retro games; portable nostalgia in your pocket.
- EASY PROGRAMMING – Learn coding using MicroPython via free browser editor; no software install required, perfect for beginners and educators.
- ADD, UPLOAD & SHARE – Expand the fun: load new games, animator drawings, or animations via USB; join the vibrant Thumby community.
- MULTIPLAYER FUN WITH FRIENDS – Link two Thumby consoles (cable sold separately) for simple, shared gameplay like Pong or Tennis.
- RECHARGEABLE & BUILT TO LAST – Includes a 40 mAh Li‑Po battery for around 2 h of gameplay; charges with any micro‑USB cable, durable polycarbonate build.
Will it work with your TV?
The documented design is intended for PAL televisions with a VHF tuner. A TV that lacks a compatible analog antenna input or tuner is not established as compatible. Hackaday suggests that adapting the design for UHF or NTSC might be possible, but the reviewed coverage does not demonstrate either adaptation. Do not assume the console supports those standards without further project-specific evidence.
How do you control it, and what are its limitations?
Controller input
The creator uses an Xbox Series X controller over BLE, which works with the ESP32-S3’s built-in Bluetooth Low Energy capability. Fitting an effective controller antenna into the small, shielded enclosure presented a challenge; the write-up describes using a tuned piece of wire for the connection.
Rank #3
- Included TF Card + 8-Bit Game Expansion + JALECO+168 Classic Games ：Free TF card included to expand your 8-bit game library with extra downloads. This retro handheld console comes with 168 built-in classic games; to unlock the JALECO retro titles, simply press the TF card eject button on the right, then restart the console or press the "Set" key (video guide available on the product page). Plug-and-play design means no extra setup—just power on for instant nostalgic fun, perfect for retro gaming fans.
- 2 Key Functions for Smooth & Enjoyable Retro Gaming：① Save/Load: Save your game progress anytime during play, so you can pick up right where you left off without restarting tedious levels. ② Search: Long-press Controller A (1-3 seconds) on the game list, type in keywords, and find your favorite classics fast without scrolling endlessly.
- Dual 2-Player Modes: Wireless & Type-C Console Link：① 2.4G wireless 2-player mode: Compete with friends or family for fun head-to-head matches (P2 controller works only in 2-player mode), ideal for family game nights or friend gatherings. ② Type-C dual-console link: Connect two retro handheld consoles with a Type-C cable for synchronized screens, perfect for co-op adventures or friendly competitive battles that boost interactive fun
- Easy Setup + Safe Type-C Charging + Clear LED Indicators：Simple setup for all users—first use requires charging the console for 4-6 hours via Type-C cable. Controllers pair automatically (or via the search key) with clear LED cues: P1 lights green when connected, P2 lights blue. Note: If the P2 controller isn’t connected, its LED blinking is completely normal. Features safe Type-C charging (≤5V) with overcharge protection for peace of mind; AAA batteries for wireless controllers are NOT included and need to be purchased separately.
- Ideal Nostalgic Gift for Kids & Adults + Retro Decor：With its classic mini TV retro design, this console works not only as an entertaining gaming device but also as a stylish retro decor piece to spruce up your space. It’s a perfect gift for birthdays, Christmas, New Year, and other holidays—bringing joy to both kids and adults, and adding warm nostalgic charm to any occasion.
Battery and sound
The antenna connection does not provide power, so the console needs its own battery. The creator reports system consumption of about 120 mA with BLE enabled. An early 8.5 mm-diameter battery candidate could not supply enough current, so that figure should not be mistaken for the size or specification of the final battery.
Audio is a known weakness: the creator describes it as noisy and says it leaked into the video despite an attempted band-pass filter. Treat that as a reported prototype limitation, not a measured result from independent testing.
Rank #4
- PLAY ANYTIME, ANYWHERE – Ultra‑mini keychain game console with 6 tactile controls and OLED display ready with 5 built‑in retro games; portable nostalgia in your pocket.
- EASY PROGRAMMING – Learn coding using MicroPython via free browser editor; no software install required, perfect for beginners and educators.
- ADD, UPLOAD & SHARE – Expand the fun: load new games, animator drawings, or animations via USB; join the vibrant Thumby community.
- MULTIPLAYER FUN WITH FRIENDS – Link two Thumby consoles (cable sold separately) for simple, shared gameplay like Pong or Tennis.
- RECHARGEABLE & BUILT TO LAST – Includes a 40 mAh Li‑Po battery for around 2 h of gameplay; charges with any micro‑USB cable, durable polycarbonate build.
Can you buy it or build one from the project?
The available write-up links project and hardware files, making it a reference for people interested in the design. The reviewed sources do not establish that the finished console is sold commercially or available as a complete kit. An ESP32-S3 development board could be a starting component for a separate experiment, but it is not the finished antenna-plug console. Project details and files from RayTriangle
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