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” 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)

Improved sound API

The sound API was improved:

• Added new “sync” methods (functions that return when music ends)
  • To be used mostly from CircuitPython REPL console
  • But can be used for simple games as well
• Improved “async” VGM player
  • Easier to use

Examples of improved APIs:

import music76489
m = music76489.Music76489()

# Sync APIs: can be used from REPL,
# like if you were using BASIC in a Commodore 128

# To play certain frequencies
m.play_freq(voice, freq)

# To play noise
m.play_noise(mode, shift_rate)

# To play notes: supports different voices, duration, semi-tones, and more.
m.play_notes('CDEFGAB')

# To set the volume
m.set_vol(voice, volume)

# To just play a VGM song:
m.play_vgm('data/mysong.vgm')

# Async API:
m.load_vgm('data/mysong.vgm')
while True:
  m.tick()
  time.sleep(1/60)

Latest version can be found here:

• music76489.py

Improved gamepad support

# To change gamepad LED color.
# Valid for DualShock 4. DualSense coming soon.
spi.set_gamepad_color_led(gamepad_seat, rbg_color)

# To change gamepad players LED.
# Valid for Nintendo Switch, Wii, Wii U and other gamepads
spi.set_gamepad_player_leds(gamepad_seat, leds)

# To set rumble (AKA force-feedback).
# Valid for DualShock4, Xbox One S, Nintendo Switch controllers
spi.set_gamepad_rumble(gamepad_seat, force, duration)

Latest version can be found here:

• bluepad32.py

Parts

• A: 64×32 LED Matrix display
• B: Adafruit MatrixPortal M4
• C: Music shield for the MatrixPortal M4
• D: Bluetooth gamepad (any modern Bluetooh gamepad will work…)
• E: Audio amplifier
• F: 8 Ohm speaker

Official git repository

Quico-related stuff is hosted here: https://gitlab.com/ricardoquesada/quico

TODO

The project is still in its early stage, so there is many things left to do. To name a few:

• Write games!
• Write documentation
• 3d-printed enclosure/border
• Polish