Bluepad32 v4.0

Bluepad32 v4.0-beta.0 is released and contains many new features:

  • Raspberry Pi Pico W support.
  • BLE Service that allows a BLE client (mobile application) to configure Bluepad32. (BLE Client is still WIP)
  • More polished documentation, hosted in readthedocs
  • Better directory structure (easier to find files)
  • Easier way to create your own platform.
  • Examples for raw ESP-IDF, Pico W and Linux, which use the new way of creating platform.
  • Github is not the official repo, and Gitlab is the backup (before it was the other way round).
  • Some minor improvements in different places, and many bug fixes, that were discovered by just switching to CLion IDE.
Continue reading “Bluepad32 v4.0”

Introducing Unijoysticle 2 C64

Unijoysticle 2 C64 add Bluetooth gamepad functionality to the Commodore 64/128.

For those familiar with the Unijoysticle 2+, this is the evolution of it.

Features:

  • One gamepad controls one Joystick
  • or two gamepads control two Joystick
  • or one gamepad controls two Joysticks (for Dual Stick games)
  • or use Wii Steering Wheel
  • or use Wii Balance Board
  • Supports gamepad rumble for certain games
  • Supports C64 GS buttons (2nd and 3rd button) for C64 GS games
  • Supports additional 4th and 5th buttons (Select + Start) button for certain games

Games that were modified to take full advantage for Unijoysticle features:

Read more: Introducing Unijoysticle 2 C64

How to get one

I sell ready-to-use Unijoysticle 2 C64 devices, fully-tested, with latest firmware at $39:

You can also build one yourself. The hardware as well as the firmware are open source / open hardware:

It looks like this…

Unijoysticle 2 C64 Top / Bottom

Introducing Unijoysticle 2 A500

Unijoysticle 2 A500 is a device that enables Bluetooth gamepads and mice on the Commodore Amiga.

It is similar in functionality to the Unijoysticle 2+, but with some additional features tailored for the Amiga, like:

  • Fits in the Amiga 500 / 1200 joystick port without additional cables
  • New buttons:
    • “mode” button: To easily cycle between “normal”, “mouse” and “enhanced” modes
    • “swap” button: To easily swap joystick ports. Useful in many scenarios, specially in the Amiga 4000 where the joystick ports are swapped.
  • Additional LED for status: Tells whether Bluetooth pair is enabled, and in which gamepad mode is selected.

In addition to that, the firmware (Bluepad32) was updated to support:

  • Mouse support: this was #1 feature request!
  • Console support: useful to change settings in runtime like:
    • change mouse resolution
    • change autofire clicks-per-second
    • debug commands
    • and other useful settings
  • Improved re-connection on PlayStation and Switch gamepads.

See all the new Bluepad32 v3.5 features here: Bluepad32 v3.5 released

And last, but not least, the User Guide has been updated with new content, photos and videos to make it easier to read for the user:

Continue reading “Introducing Unijoysticle 2 A500”

Bluepad32 v3.5 released!

TL;DR: Support for Amiga and Atari ST mice, USB console, and re-connect improvements.

I ‘m happy to announce that Bluepad32 v3.5 has been released. It contains two new big features:

  • Mouse support
  • Console

and many fixes & improvements here and there.

Mouse support

Some of the supported mice

Mouse support has been added both at the “core” level, and at a “platform” level.

By “core” level, I mean that all platforms (Unijoysticle, NINA/AirLift, Arduino, etc.) receive the mouse information: x & y movement and the Left, Middle and Right buttons.

And by “platform” level, I mean that the Unijoysticle platform transforms the mouse data into quadrature events that both Amiga and Atari ST computers can understand.

Using mouse on the Amiga 500

See the complete list of supported mice here: supported mice

Continue reading “Bluepad32 v3.5 released!”

Introducing Unijoysticle 2+

Unijoysticle 2+

For those not familiar with Unijoysticle 2, it is a device that allows you to use modern Bluetooth gamepads like Sony DualSense or Nintendo Switch controllers (to name just a few) on old computers like the Commodore 64 or Amiga.

What’s new in version 2+:

  • Case friendly: lower profile, LEDs & buttons are close the border and has mounting holes.
  • Looks nicer: Uses SMD components for almost everything
  • Supports buttons 2 & 3 in port #2. Some Amiga games might use them.
  • Cheaper to manufacture. I reduced the price from $60 to $35
Continue reading “Introducing Unijoysticle 2+”

Bluepad32 support for Arduino and CircuitPython

It is now possible to use Bluetooth gamepads both in Arduino and CircuitPython projects.

This means that you can use your PlayStation (PS3, PS4, PS5), Nintendo (Wii, Wii U, Switch) and Xbox One S gamepads in your electronics project: control a robot, home-automation, video games, etc… everything controlled from your favorite gamepad.

The catch is that not every Arduino or CircuitPython boards are supported. In fact, only a few of them are supported.

For Arduino, the boards that have the NINA-W10x (ESP32) co-processor are supported, like:

And similar for CircuitPython, the boards that have the AirLift (ESP32) co-processor are supported, like:

With the additional benefit that you can use any CircuitPython board by attaching the stand-alone AirLift module:

Continue reading “Bluepad32 support for Arduino and CircuitPython”

Building Quico: improved sound, gamepad, and more (part III)

This is the third blog-post regarding “building a video-game console for (my) kids”. See Part II: chiptune, and Part I: gamepad.

Quico

We have name: Quico. From now on, I’ll refer to this project as “Quico”:

  • Quico (/ˈkiko/), short for Kids Console (or Kids Computer)
  • Also, one of the main characters of El Chavo del Ocho

Sound Shield

I converted the breadboard into “shield” for the MatrixPortal M4.

Shield for the MatrixPortal M4

“Shield” features:

  • Output:
    • Headphones: Audio jack
    • or Speaker: 5V/GND/AudioOut pins
  • Fits perfectly on top of the MatrixPortal M4
  • Sturdy connection: 8 pins + 2 screws
  • Easy to solder: All components are through-hole, except audio-jack (SMD) but it is as easy to solder as the rest.
  • Open source / open hardware (docs, schematics, layout)
Shield + MatrixPortal M4 + LED matrix
Continue reading “Building Quico: improved sound, gamepad, and more (part III)”