GB Studio is a free game development environment for Windows, Mac and Linux. It can be used to create Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Analogue Pocket and Web-based Games. It takes some time to master, but much can be done with no coding at all, which makes it a great game environment for teaching.
I will be teaching a week-long workshop on GB Studio, which is designed as a studio/clinic where students get started on creating their own GB Studio game. Depending on time and expertise, it’s possible to create a simple, functioning game in a week. One option is to provide pre-made resources that can help speed development. The temptation is to just go with these “canned” resources, but I think it might be better to have students to use them as a reference, and make their own art work.
For the workshop, we have handheld game systems that the students can use for play testing. We are using Anbernic RG-35xx handhelds. They are inexpensive, durably built and can be purchased either from Anbernic’s web site, or Amazon. Another option is the Miyoo Mini Plus either from the the manufacturer’s AliExpress site, or from Amazon (more expensive). These are a bit harder to come across – the best way to snag one is to subscribe to this Twitter feed which periodically posts when new ones are in stock. I like the Miyoo Mini Plus a little better since they have wireless networking and the build quality is slightly better, but either system is perfectly fine.
Both systems come with a microSD card with a bunch of games of questionable legality. I replace the microSD cards with better brand cards that are more reliable. A 32 GB microSD card is way more than is needed, and they are cheap. I am using a 3rd party operating system with these units. For the Anbernic RG-35xx, I’m using GarlicOS, which has a nice, simple, easy to use interface. For the Miyoo Mini Plus, I use Onion OS, which is similar and also easy to use. If you do choose to go with the Miyoo Mini Plus, use Onion OS 4.2, which is currently in beta, but is stable.