Retro Gadgets

Puzzle· Education· Automation· 2D

Early access since Nov 2022

Retro Gadgets is a sandbox where you build, code, and customize gadgets inspired by old-school electronics.

89% positive · 539 reviews

Not yet

In early access, content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Not yet

In early access, content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $19.99 Green Man Gaming Steam key Updated 12 Oct 2026 $19.99

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Evaluation

Retro Gadgets launched into Early Access on November 30, 2022, and remains there as of today. The game has received regular feature updates throughout its Early Access period, with recent patches shipping on October 16, 2025 (version 0.2), December 11, 2025 (version 0.2.1), and June 10, 2026 (version 0.2.2). The team also launched a free companion app, Retro Gadgets Playground, on October 22, 2025, which lets anyone play community-created gadgets without owning the main game. On August 11, 2026, the developer published a detailed post directly addressing the game's future. Story Mode — a new game mode featuring characters, narrative missions, and an interactive tutorial — is confirmed as the centerpiece of the planned 1.0 release that will formally close Early Access. The developer describes it as still "a few months" away from that August 11, 2026 post, stating "the end is now in sight." Story Mode will be included at no extra charge for all current and future owners — explicitly no DLC or extra packages. The June 10, 2026 update (version 0.2.2) also included a preview of gadgets being built specifically for Story Mode, further confirming active work on it. The developer remains engaged and communicative, with the most recent post on August 11, 2026 providing a clear, current status update. Story Mode is the outstanding piece of content that will bring the game out of Early Access.

Evidence

Developer confirms Story Mode is in active development and will be part of the 1.0 release closing Early Access, expected within a few more months, free for all owners — no DLC or extra packages.

news post · Aug 11, 2026 source content planned

high

Version 0.2.2 patch notes include a preview of gadgets being created for Story Mode, confirming active development work on it.

news post · Jun 10, 2026 source content planned

medium

Media

Details

Developer

Licorice ehf

Publisher

Licorice ehf

Achievements

—

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Education Automation 2D Puzzle Building Game Development Simulation Sandbox Programming 1980s 1990's Logic Old School Hacking Retro

About this game

You look up from your cosy little workbench. It's dark out, what time is it? It doesn't matter; you've been in the flow and are adding the final touches to your latest retro gadget. Just one more line of code, a spray of paint here, a sticker there – it's done. You power it on... The start-up sound kicks in... the needles on the gauges flutter, and the screen lights up... it's glorious. It's ready to share with the world. Now, all it needs is a name.

The Gadget Maker

Feel the exhilaration of building your own eye-popping real-working gadgets. Lose yourself as you build, solder, code, customise, and play with electrifying gadgets at your relaxing workbench. Build video game consoles, weather machines, lightboards, radios, drum machines... any gadget you can think of. What will you come up with next?

Feel the Power

Retro Gadgets gives you the power to invent! Solder circuit boards, add buttons and switches, speakers and lights, connect and code CPUs, audio and video chips, flick the on button and see your gadget come to life. You have the vision, you can build the gadgets!

A World of Gadgeteers

Check out gadgets made by people all over the world. Download any gadget, play with it, take it apart, see how it works, build your own version. Is the world ready for your awesome gadget?

Cosy Workbench

Tinker, test and lose track of time at your friendly pixel art workbench. Everything feels tactile and satisfying to use. Open drawers to find what you need. Solder and paint. Print and place stickers with tweezers. Connect parts with magnets. Twist knobs, tap buttons, flick switches. Trust us, you've never played anything like this!

Unbeatable Components

There is an ever-growing collection of buttons, switches, dials, gauges, lights, LEDs, LCDs, chips, joysticks, speakers, circuit boards, and more. Everything you need to create a lean mean sexy machine. Now, all it needs is a name!

Striking Styles

Make your gadgets feel truly personal. Connect boards to make new shapes. Spray components with different colours. Design and use stencils to create unique designs. Draw, print, and apply your own stickers. Or upload a logo for that more professional touch!

Be a Software Superstar

You've built your gadget, now it's time to code! Write and debug your own code in our Lua coding environment, or upload it directly to the CPU. Program games, live weather stations, drum machines, cameras, video players, radios... the possibilities are endless.

Gadget Archive

We know what it's like - you're busy spray painting your latest masterpiece, when BOOM, inspiration hits and a new idea flashes into your mind. Well, simply store your gadget in the archive drawer, pull out an old gadget to work on and fix, or start a whole new gadget. Make as many as you want!