Govee Gaming Pixel Lights Review: These Illuminated Accessories Evoke Excessive Joy in My Simplified Gaming Psyche
In the heart of a technophile's minimalistic bedroom, an empty expanse of walls, adorned sparsely with prints and lacking in lights, calls for a touch of flair. This void seemed to find a suitable option in the Govee Gaming Pixel Light, initially spotted at CES 2025. Despite its inability to fully showcase high-quality 8- or 16-bit artwork or produce strong enough audio for complex audio tracks, the specialized display, with its cringe-worthy gaming decals and bulky frame, appeared to be an ideal solution for adding life to a typically nerdy living space.
A pre-release pair of Govee Gaming Pixel Lights was sent to me well before the company made them commercially available on May 19. The device brought a 32-pixel version of Samus from Super Metroid to my desktop, lending a sense of familiarity and calm amidst the chaos. The device is available in two sizes: the $120 32×32 and $140 52×32 pixel frames. Although they require little effort to set up, the lack of a battery means they need to be plugged into an outlet. Connected via the Govee Home app, the device offers a variety of default and user-created effects. While you can display static images on the screen, the real draw comes from showcasing GIFs of iconic moments from retro 8-, 16-, or even a few 32-bit games.
Pros of the Govee Gaming Pixel Light include its brightness, substantial selection of art in the app, and 30 fps on GIFs, which provides smooth 8-bit images. Drawbacks include the questionable gamer aesthetic, low-quality speaker, and limited color range for pixel art. The quality of an image displayed depends on its complexity, with the smaller device containing 1,024 lights, while the 52×32 version boasts 1,664. However, the Divoom Pixoo-64, a competing pixel light with a 64×64 pixel field, supports 4,096 lights, suggesting a more nuanced display. For example, an 8-bit portrait of Arielle from The Little Mermaid that appeared fine on my phone lacked the color definition necessary to show finer features on her nose or hair.
The device's rear 3W DSP speaker is intended for pairing with chiptunes, providing a retro feel akin to listening to an age-old mono Game Boy speaker. Although the speaker isn't powerful enough to fill a room, its lack of bass adds to the retro charm. The device features a single button for adjusting volume, with no physical mute button, making it necessary to load the app to adjust sound settings. This made me more likely to forgo music altogether. Considering the device's intended use as a gaming room accessory, you'd normally listen to the game's audio anyway.
The device also has a sketch mode, allowing users to create their own art and animated GIFs. While a stylus is recommended for ease of use, I lacked the time, patience, or skill to create something more attractive than a professional pixel artist. The device offers a wide range of modes, including a clock feature, stock ticker, and a counter displaying the current price of bitcoin.
The Pixel Light seems to cater to a specific gamer aesthetic, adopting a hard-edged, cyberpunk design with decals like "loading" and "game." A black frame is all that's necessary, but the vibrant LED display and customizable animations are the main draw for thisFirst gamer product from Govee. Despite finding enjoyment in the Magmar Caverns theme blaring from my desktop, I can't shake the feeling that my bedroom now boasts even more Metroid artwork.
The Govee Gaming Pixel Light is generally praised for its exceptional build, vibrant display, and deep personalization options. It is recommended as an appealing retro gaming-themed desk accessory for its robust display, build quality, and nostalgic appeal. Its only notable limitation is the lack of a battery, restricting its portability but offering consistent power for long-term use as a desk or wall decoration.
- In the future, tech enthusiasts might find the Govee Gaming Pixel Light an intriguing addition to their smart-home devices, as it offers a unique blend of technology and nostalgia as a gadget.
- In terms of reviews, the Govee Gaming Pixel Light has received praise for its vibrant display and deep personalization options, making it a suitable choice for those looking to add flair to their home or office.
- Despite its drawbacks, such as the questionable gamer aesthetic and low-quality speaker, Gizmodo gives the Govee Gaming Pixel Light a positive review, noting its exceptional build and retro gaming appeal.
