From Gaming to Crypto: The Epic Journey of the Game Wallet

Game Boy owners are in for a treat as their devices are about to get a futuristic makeover. Introducing the Game Wallet, a brilliant project by Joseph Schiarizzi from the Web3 startup Keyp. This innovative idea turns your beloved Game Boy into a secure hardware wallet for cryptocurrencies using a physical cartridge.

Schiarizzi unveiled his creation on May 19, revealing a truly offline hardware wallet that operates independently without the need for firmware updates. To demonstrate the potential of the Game Wallet, he shared a tweet from January featuring a Game Boy game where the character can generate a seed. This exciting endeavor allows users to generate mnemonic phrases and securely store them offline. Plus, there’s no need to worry about firmware updates ever again!

Now, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Back in April 1989, Nintendo introduced the 8-bit handheld gaming device, the Game Boy, in Japan. But fast forward to March 2021, and a YouTuber amazed us all by mining bitcoin using the Game Boy. However, it became clear that the Game Boy’s processing power couldn’t compete with modern mining rigs. Similarly, in 2013, someone attempted to mine with a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). While these experiments were fun, they didn’t offer much practical value compared to what we have now.

Enter the Game Wallet project, which has its own dedicated website. You can sign up there to stay informed about the availability of the initial batch of cartridges. The website emphasizes the importance of offline functionality in securing digital assets, stating that devices that can’t connect to the internet are naturally more secure. Imagine using a device created before cryptocurrency even existed, safe from digital phishing attacks, and sitting on your shelf for 20 years. It’s like having the ultimate fortress for your crypto!

Excitingly, the Game Wallet news arrives following criticism of Ledger’s new Ledger Recovery service. It’s also worth mentioning the new hardware wallet by 1inch Network in January and Coinkite’s introduction of a “higher-end” Coldcard bitcoin wallet in February. Schiarizzi’s project utilized the Assembly programming language used for Nintendo consoles and games, adapting an open source assembly implementation of the sha256 hashing algorithm for generating cryptographic seed phrases based on BIP-39 into GBAssembly, the language used for Game Boy games.

Get ready to level up your Game Boy experience with the Game Wallet, turning your trusty device into a secure haven for your crypto assets. It’s time to save the day, RPG style, by completing fun quests and generating cryptographic keys as you venture through the real world. Say goodbye to worries about firmware updates and embrace the retro-coolness of Game Wallet’s physical cartridge. Let the gaming revolution begin!

Clever Robot News Desk 22^nd May 2023