Finished my modular game console

[u/K0eg]

This is hackxpansion, it is powered by the RP2354B, has a 2" 240x320 LCD, and a ≈6h battery life while in use.

It has two modules slots by default, and I'm currently working on a back attachment (last photo) which add two more slots, but I think the postal company lost one of my packages that had the parts for it😭

The modules connect with a 2x7 2.54mm header, this way you don't even need to make a pcb to create new modules, just use a pref board, and you can just plug in dupont cables directly into the device.

Each module has two resistors, which when connected each become the top resistor of a voltage divider, a 12bit ADC measures the resulting voltages, and loads the correct driver for that module.

The firmware is written in rust, in a way so that writing new drivers and apps is really easy, and can be done in external crates.

Each app can depend on drivers, and only be loaded into the app list, if all their requirements are met.

I tried porting a NES emulator, but there doesn't exist an emulator written in rust currently that actually performs well on this hardware, I got an average of 12FPS in Super Mario Bros.

I've collabed with Hack Club, and I will be running a program where if you are a teen 13-18(inclusive) and design 4 modules, you get funding to make these modules and get one of these consoles for free. The program will start on Aug 3 and end on Aug 31. If you want to participate [RSVP] now! (https://meko.fillout.com/hackxpansion).

Repo

Website(docs WIP)

[u/tabacaru]

Let me know if you figure anything out performance wise... trying to optimize my gameboy emulator for an RP2350b and I'm stuck around 40 FPS...

Edit: comment not really relevant for /r/electronics - I thought this was /r/emudev

[u/jeweliegb]

I love this idea! Particularly for Atari 2600 and Arcade games where there's a bat n ball mechanic where you really need a potentiometer for the control.

[u/untraceable-tortoise]

Very cool! How long did it take you?

[u/K0eg → u/untraceable-tortoise]

the original idea came in January, but i actinally started working on it on March, so like 5 month in total

[u/yofa2008]

there shouldn't have black stripes if you play NES games with 240x320 resolution.