YveltalGriffin is a name that many of you should be familiar with if you've been doing your retro gaming homework here on Retro Dodo. Most recently, they've been involved with the Nintendo Kawaii project, a miniature, fully-functional Wii that hangs on a keychain built alongside WeskMods. I'm continually keeping up to date with what YveltalGriffin is up to as their work fascinates me no end, which is why I wanted to share their ongoing work on this SNES handheld with you.
It's called the aSNES, and it's a handheld with 'all the bells and whistles' of new gaming machines which actually plays your physical SNES cartridges. That means there's no need to download ROMs or transfer save files over from your original cartridges - just stick them in and pick up where you left off!
αSNES mainboard prototype— a complete 1Chip Super Nintendo, Super Everdrive, Shinobi Scaler (GBS Control), LCD driver, and more combined onto a single 125x96mm 6-layer PCB.
— YveltalGriffin (@YveltalGriffin) July 21, 2025
Real cartridges connect via the large FFC connector on the back. pic.twitter.com/XTQh68Qp7Y
YveltalGriffin recently shared an update on the mainboard prototype for the aSNES with lots of features listed above. I imagine after the trials and tribulations of manipulating an original Wii motherboard into something the size of a Game Boy cartridge, creating this handheld feels like a doddle. Still, for those looking to follow the project more closely, Yveltal is also documenting every step on BitBuilt for you to pick up tips and learn more about their work along the way.

YveltalGriffin is also the brains behind the exciting PS Hanami handheld that I first covered last year. Once again, it's built from an actual console that they took apart, folding the motherboard into a new case with a crisp display and speakers that provide you with those nostalgic PS1 moments wherever you are.
If I can make a suggestion, Yveltal, I'd love to see an N64 handheld coming out of your workshop next, and I would love to be the first one to test it!