Pocketbyte DevKit
Who It’s For
Pocketbyte is built for people who want to make things, and also have fun! You’ll find it a great fit if you are:- An indie game developer looking for a tangible, portable target platform to create original games on real hardware. No Unity here.
- A student or self-directed learner exploring embedded systems, C programming, or game development in a hands-on environment.
- A maker or engineer who wants to build interactive devices — not just games, but tools, toys, and experiments — using a purpose-built portable platform.
- A digital minimalist or tech enthusiast who wants a cool, playful, multi-functional device for their every day carry. Possibly to play music or write notes.
What You Can Build
Because Pocketbyte is open-source, your software is only limited by the hardware capabilities and your imagination. Common use cases include:- Games — arcade-style games, puzzle games, platformers, top-down games, turn-based games, or really anything! 3D graphics are also possible thanks to our friends in the UK.
- Interactive apps — utilities, graphing calculators, music sequencers, text editors, wireless messaging platforms, or any application that benefits from a small portable form factor.
- Educational tools — interactive demos, simulations, or learning aids that you can carry around and share.
Key Features
Swappable Controller Modules
Attach different physical input modules to change your control scheme — a d-pad, Blackberry keyboard, or custom layouts — without changing your device.
C Library
Write your games and apps in C using the official Pocketbyte library. The API covers display, input, audio, and much more.
ESP-IDF Integration
The Pocketbyte library is an ESP-IDF managed component. Add it to any IDF project with one command and use the full power of the ESP-IDF ecosystem.
Open Platform
You control the software entirely. There is no locked bootloader, no mandatory storefront — flash whatever you build directly to the device.
Pocketbyte runs on the ESP32-S3, a dual-core Xtensa LX7 microcontroller with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. All apps are written in C and built using the ESP-IDF framework. Familiarity with C and basic embedded development concepts will help you get the most out of the platform.
What’s in These Docs
These docs are organized to take you from unboxing to building:Quickstart
Get your toolchain set up and your first app running on the device.
Hardware Overview
Understand the processor, display, input system, audio, and connectivity.
Guides
Step-by-step walkthroughs for common tasks, like building your first game.
API Reference
Complete documentation for every function in the Pocketbyte C SDK.